BABY SHOW JUDGING

Evening Star, Issue 20058, 26 December 1928, Page 11

BABY SHOW JUDGING

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Having noticed that the St. dair Carnival Committee have included a bahy show in their programme, I should like, through tin; medium _ot your col minis, to rccinest a little information on the methods employed in judging the babies. I have been at several carnivals in this and other towns, when baby shows have been held, and it struck mo the judging lelt much to he desired. J was purely a disinterested spectator, and am writing this only from a desire to sec lair play. The majority of mothers enter their babies from' a desire to make the carnival a success, and J think the committee should see that the judging is the best procurable. In the first place, would not one or two Plunket or Karitnuo nurses, and perhaps a private nurse, bo more suited to judge than a member of the medical profession? These persons leave made the care and study of babies their work, and should be qualified to select the best. Another thing—do they judge on its appearance or the .manner in which it is dressed? —I was under the impression it was the best-developed child who would bo awarded first place, not the best dressed. How can tho judgos_ get an idea of tho physique of a child that is fully dressed? Could the babies not bo stripped? Perhaps the judges believe that “fine feathers make fine birds.” Why not : Iso have some means of checking the ages uml weights of entrants? There are lots of people who take an interest in these shows apart from tho actual exhibitors, and 1 think the committee should see that this and other competitions are managed and decided by competent persons, SO as to make them as great a success as possible. There arc others, no doubt, more qualified to speak than 1, ami I sincerely hope that some will come forward. When other thiims, such as flowers, poultry-, dogs, cattle, etc. arc to be judged they get the best judges possible. Why not for this?— 1 am, etc., - ~ j* Ain IT,AY. December 24.