GATE TAKINGS INCREASED BY £100

Chronicle (Levin), 3 February 1947, Page 4

GATE TAKINGS INCREASED BY £100

' Association Establishes a New Record i - • * K Bright sunshine, a record crowd and a Iarge selection of high quality entries, combihed to make this°year's agriculturSl show the most successful in the Horowhenua A. and P. Association's history."- ' ' . Total gate tAkings amouiited to £493 18s 6d, an inereaSe of £102 6s 6d. over, last year. Friday's takings netted £69 10s compared with £81 10s 6d for 1948. On Saturday, which watsv , pOople's day, £323 6s was collected as against £264 11S 9d. Receipts at the night show were £101 2s 6d, a considerable increase over the previous year when £45 10s 6d was collected. These figures represent only those who paid for admission. Many more held members' tickets and exhibitors' passes. M.embership showed a 30 per cent increase over last year.

From early morning on people's day crowds thronged the grounds, many making the occasion one fora family nicnic — a fltting conclusion to the school holidays. : The stock exhibited was of a particularly high standard and drew considerable attention and comrhent. For those who preferfed the entertainment side, there were ample sideshows, Highland dancing and equestrian competitions. The grandstand was packed and all the best vantage points were pccupied at all times. In the evening a large crowd assembled to witness the marching .competitions, in which over 200 girls participated. That the public evokes considerable interest in the activities of the farming community was particularly evident on the opening day,Which was largely con^n'ed to judging. A large number of local ahd otnside visitors were to be seen viewing the various exhibits assembled in the p6ns, being quick to appraise or condemn. - - The various judging rings all had a liberal quota of spectators, groups of young farmers being particularly interested observers of the juages' methods. An estimate of the work of the latter, can be gained from the fact that there were as many , ais 20 entries in a single class. Both judges and stewards carried out their unenviable duties with cheerful efficiency, always findirig time to discuss various points with owners or interested observers, vafter they had completed the judging of their particular sections. The horses did not come into prominence till Saturday morning, when the heavy horses, hacks ana ponies were judged. The champion scny award was won by G. H. Vickers' M6rfy Legs, while Miss Nreda White's Kopere was ad judged the champion hack. These two awards were secured by the same efttfants as at last year's show. In the wotking draughts section, V. Sird's Archie won the championship award.

in rne anernoon tne ring evencs were deeided, these competitions among horse owners being an outstanding feature of the show. There were no mishaps and the judges commented favourably both on the standard of horsemanship and the perfprmance and conditioh of the mounts. • The three placed dogs ih the open irials held the previous day demonstrated their prowess in the course of the afternooh, -their remarkable skill in exectiting the coihplicated movements dictated by their owners earning spohtaneous applause from the stands. Grand Parade Impresses By far the most Impressive sight of the day was the grand paraae, whidh was led by the champion .Jersey bull. All prize-wihnmg cattle and horses participated ana drew considerable applause as they passed" the packed grandstands. The dramatic entry into the ring of two eight horse teams, dragging neavy waggons on ' which were packed many jubilant members of vne public, was greeted with con--tinued applause, the show commen--ator remarking that this was the nrst occasion in New Zealand show history, that two such teams had been featured together. The teams were entered by Messrs. R. Craig and W. McLeavey, two well-known breeders of Clydesdales. Traffic Heavy , Traffic was very heavy.- particuiarly on people's day, but'its con^rol was ably supervised by traffic unspector M. Kehoe, assisted by [Lnspectors C. Fipland, of Feilding, and C. L. Davis, of Otaki. Representatives of the Automobile Association supervised the parking of vehicles. A public address system was in operation and by this means ,th6 public was' kept informed of ihe reSults of evencs, and it - Was also widely used in locating owners of stock and by harrassed parehtS' who wotild otherwise have had considerable difficulty in locating their charges. Members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade wei^ preseht and rehdered first aid where necessary. The Levin police supplemented ■iy reinforcements from Palmerston North were also present. President Gratified . He was quite confident in claiming this year's show as a record in the association's history,, said the president, Mr. J. A. Kilsby, when speaking over the public address lystem at the close of the grand )arade. The total entries constituted • a new record and the ittendance that day had surpassed ali previous seCond days. The .nembership of the association had visen by 30 per cent. which was ilso very gratifying. When expressing thanks.to those vho had contributed to the cuccoss of the event. Mr. Kilsby said it was moSt gratifyihg to see such large entries in all the Stock class es. "Not Only have we record entries,

but the standard of the stock on exhibition is a credit to both oreeders and exhibitors." He coidgratulated Messrs. R., Craig and W. McLeavey on tlie splendid eight horse waggon teams they had exhibited. 'This is the only shotv in New Zealand to have exhibited tWo Such teams together," he cohcended. For the success of the. show thanks were ■ due to the genefal committee, the town comnjittee, the stewards and many vOl-Untary helpers, said Mr. Kilsby. Special mention was made of the work of the judges and the secretary, Mr. J. E. Fullarton. To all those who had contributed donations affd trophies, or who had assisted by making areas available for the grazing of stock during the pa£t ffiree days, Mr. Kilsby expressed the gratification of the association.