TO-DAY'S AUTUMM SHOW

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 53, 18 March 1937, Page 6

TO-DAY'S AUTUMM SHOW

Wide Range of Instructive Exhibits FINE TRADITION MAINTAINED Two factora— tK© precautionary measures taken by • fte health authorities as regards the infantile paralysis outbreak in Hastings and the surrounding districts, and the uncertainty of the weather early this mdrning — combined to affeet the attendance today at the Hawke's Bay A. and P. Society 's annual Autumn Show at the Tomoana Showgrounds. For all that, the show proves enjoyable, instructive and interesting, and in every way is in keeping with the fine tradition that the society has established.

Th® popular centre of interest is the Produce Hall, which was well filled " with a great variety of exhibits, not 'Ihe least interesting of which was the display of Maori arts and crafts. The wonderrul variety of - exhibits and displays in this building appealed to town and country patrons alike. The seedsmen's stalls and the hortieiiltural sectfon added touches of beauty to the Bcene in the hall, and there was so much of interest in the showing of flowers, fruit" and home industries that patrons found it well worth while to make a thorough inspection. Ontstanding as were the other seotaon s, it Ss douhtful whether they proved as great an attraction as the fruit section- The ' Hawke's Bay Autumn Show i* looked upon as the outstanding fruit exhibition of the Dominion, and it was no doubt because of this repntaiaon that the fruitgrowers ' made a epecial effort to nphold the good name/ in spite of the consequences of ths disastroua frost in Oetober last. iAjctually the fruitgrowera and those who organised this section have surpaseed aU previous efforts and that they ehould hara excelled previous exhibitions in the manner they have is a znatter of oongratulation. As was duly noted by the gpreater majority of those who viewed the exMbition of fruit to-day, the fruit eectfoji is really a very fine one. Allied with it is the display of vegetables and it is doubtful whether a better all-round exhibition has ever been staged hy the society. A notable feature of the entries is the number forwarded by fruitgrowers, who this eeason had been compelled to direct their energies to the izrowine of orround and rhn+.

crops, and with their nsual enterprise ^nd enthusiasm broke new ground as far as their exhibitions at the show are concerned. Needless to say, the kennei section was again very popular. Thia part of the show has developed during recent years, until now it is regarded as one of the leading dog shows in the North Island, The poultry section was an ©ven greater attraction than last year, and the standard of exhibits was well up to that set at . previous shows. Both the kennei and poultry sheda wero well patronised, there being) a ^eemingly endless stream of people passing through them. Many Outdoor Attraction® The ring events held the interest of the erowd, and in this regard competition was unusually keen and the form of the animals was the subject of much comment and speculation. The. Higlu land dancing was equally as popular, there being a big crowd in the vicioity of the platform throughotlt .the competitions. Another outdoor attraction which held continued interest was the. axemen's earnival, which was watched with great interest, specially so by the male patrons, who were no doubt imbued with feelings of envy as the massive logs were cut into and huge chunks of ehips flew through the air to the accompaniment of the'flashing blades. A further very popular attraction was ihe dog trials, which held the. attention mainly of the country man, but which alsq aroused the interest and admiration of the townspeople. .The trade exhibits, though not as eomprehensive ais" at the Spring Show, were neverthelesa well worth. inspection and found ample patronage. The side-shews offered plenty of thrills and laughs, and though there was not the customary gathering of youngsters to add gaiety and life to the atmosphere, the amusement park was well patronised. Hundreds of patrons visited the enchanting gardens of Waikoko, and as many moro followed their usual custom of establishing themselveQ in parties under the shelter of numerous willows scattered along the lake side and in other parts of the spacious and beautiful grounds. From start to finish the show Teflected great creait on the society, its secretary, Mr A. M. Retemeyer, and his officials, the exhibitors, the competitors, and the quality of Hawke's Bay Stoek and produce. Anyone who was In atty way conneeted with the staging of the show and its general conduct can be right proud of the event. Day For Experts Though the publie were not admitted yesterday tho Tomoana showgrounds presented a scene of indulstry and activity as preparalions were mia.de' for the big day. Stalls were being ereeted in vaiious parts of the grounds by the trade and business concerns, and in the area sct apart for their exclusive oceupation the showmen were making the preliminary arrangements for the many and varied stalls, side-showa and other forms of amusement. But it was in the produce hall that the jmost important j»art.^f Ihe. .jskpwJ

was being performed. Here the judges, with their tetewards, made the rounds of the hundreds of exhibits which in the morning had been set out for inspection by the hundreds of exhibitors, and passed their expert opinions upon the merits of the individual and collective exhibits.