HOROWHENUA'S ANNUAL

Chronicle (Levin), 7 January 1948, Page 4

HOROWHENUA'S ANNUAL

•Rara Fair To Be Held As Arranged The Horowhenua A. and P. Association's 42nd annual show, to have been held in Levin on January 30 and 31, has been abandoned. This decision was' reached at a meeting of the assoclation's general committee last night. In view of the infantile paralysis outbreak, it was felt by members that there was no alternative but to take this action. The ram fair will. be held on February 1 as arranged. *The subject was • discusse'd ■ at some Idngth by the meeting, the possibility of either continuing with the fixture or postponing it being given full considefation. '

The president, Mr. J. A. Kiisby, who presided; in opening.the discussion, said that a decision would have to be made one way or the other at the meeting, as the date of the show was drawlng near and it could not. be delayed. "With a view to obtaining further information on the subject, he had contacted the health authorities and two of the local doctors. He had been referred to the medical ofiicer of health at Palmerston North, -who had told him that at least two weeks must elapse after the last case of paralysis had been reported before the restrictions could be lifted. If the show was carried on with, continued Mr. Kiisby, no children would be ailowed to attenid. For instance, the luncheon pavfiion would have a restricted attendance, because there could be' no crowded gatherings under a roof. "Have they carried this out on the racecourses," questioned a member. No one seemed to know much about this, replied Mr. Kiisby. If the show was abandoned, it would mean that only three shows had been "held in the past eight years, and one of these had been'in the interests of the patriotic committee. Dannevirke had abandoned their sho'w and Woodville, Feilding and Marton were likely to follow Horowhenua. The show could be carried on, said Mr. Kiisby, but there would be no possibility , of children attending. This would be'a great loss. There could be no children's classes, in which there were some 200 entries at past shows. Gates woul'd be v.ery small, a^s parents would not be inclined to attend if they felt that they were jeopardising their children. The side shows would not want to come with the possibility of small attendances.

The show would be the largest gathering of the public during the summer period, pro'ceeded Mr. Kiisby. Members .would recall that the 1925 fixture had been abandoned because of paralysis. The committee had to give consideration to public .health. It also had to consider the exhibitors, who had devoted a considerable time to the preparation of their entries. Thev would be very disappointed if it was abandoned. All the association's work of the year woul'd be at a loss if the show was abandoned, and expenditure had been considerable. Whatever the decision, members should back it to the full.