KOKATAHI-KOITERANGI WINTER SHOW

Hokitika Guardian, 31 May 1928, Page 4

KOKATAHI-KOITERANGI WINTER SHOW

PEOPLES’ DAY. The weather was not too attractive for Peoples’ Day yesterday, but nevertheless a large attendance was drawn to Kokatahi to witness the show. > isitors were present from the south md the u ntil, and the local ncighbour.lood and Hokitika were strongly repre•ented. Long lines of motor vehicles testified to the hulk of the gathering, and ttie promoters of the Show must have been well pleased with the paL.outgo extended, under the circumstances. Ihe President ..Mr \Y. Jamieson) and the Secretary (Mr T. Eeclesfiold) with the officers and committee attended to the inquiries ol visitors, and the general conduct of the Show left little to be desired. As on the opening day the display was admired greatly. At times the hall was overcrowded with visitors and made a close inspection ol the exhibits a difficulty. The early visitors saw the Show at its host in comfort, but there was a general note of praise to be heard on ail sides from people all over the hall at the allround excellence.

THE SPEECH-MAKING

On Peoples’ Day the special part of the programme is the speech-making, and yesterday was not any exception. There was an unusual How of eloquence, and the put lie had much interest m the remarks made by the several

speakers. The President had great plestlre. he said, in welcoming the visitors to the Show. It had been an annual event now for some years and the endeavour was to raise the standard year by year. The quality of the exhibits was apparent, he thought. He expressed thanks for the excellent patronage, to the donors who helped the finance and to all workers who had assisted at the Show.

Hon. H. b. -Michel, M.L.C., was glad he said, to have the opportunity of congratulating the district on the opening of the seventh annual show, lie thought that generally the display was above the average. He telt specially interested in the very fine display of hams and bacon. The pig industry was a matter of national importance. He could see it was not necessary to send away for stock when so excellent a commodity was provided in the district. lie praised the fine displays in the district hays as evidence of what the district could produce. In that connection he calculated that the dairy factories south of the Teremakau river would distribute this year 675,000 to the suppliers. I lie little lactory at Arahura showed an increase of 25 to :il) per cent in its production, and no doubt that increase was general. He had nothing but congratulations to offer the Committee on the success of their efforts. Mr T. E.Y. Soddon. M.P., desired also to offer his congratulations to the community on what had been done in providing so excellent a display. Ihe produce on show compared very favourably with the general standard of exhibits to lie seen elsewhere. He spoke also of the attractiveness of the hays and congratulated Koiterangi on its success. He hoped the friendly rivalry between the two localities would continue, as the hays were such an outstanding feature. He also had to remark on the cheeriiiess of the exhibitors whether they won or lost. It showed a fine spirit. In relerrmg to the poultry section, Mr Soddon said the Light Sussex and (lame breeds on exhibition compared with anything to bo found in New Zealand. Kokatahi was famtms for its O.H. Came strain, and the .standard was being kept up. Addressing the primary producers present. "Mr Soddon said a sincere oliort was made last session o[ Parliament to assist in the marketing of their products. More intense production was

necessary, hut it was recognised it would cost more and extra finance was required. In the past Kokatahi had derived great benefit from the legislation of 1891 by which settlers were assisted. Some seventeen millions had now been advanced by the State Department. In 1926 the Rural Credit system was passed and last year the Rural intermediate Credit Act. A District Hoard was now established lor the Coast. The members were well known to all, and an application to Mr Saywell. Chairman of the Hoard, at Grcymouth, would bring them all the particulars. Mr Soddon next referred to tli(> exhibit by the Forestry Department at the Show, and settlors should he encouraged to grow gums, redwoods, etc., as a profitable investment for the future. All advice on this point could he obtained irotu the local Forestry office. In concluding .Mr Seddon hoped the show would continue to grow in importance, and that with the good sportsmanship ol the exhibitors a splendid Show would be a

recurring annual. At this stage the President apologised for Air CL A. Perry (Mayor of Hokitika), Mr J. Greenslnde (Mayor of Grcymouth) and Mr A. Cron, exPrcsidcnt. The last-named it was hoped would soon be restored to good health.

.Mr J. O’Brien, Deputy-Mayor of Greymouth, joined in offering congratulations for the wonderful work done l>y the settlers and the fanners’ wives in producing so fine a Show. The display deserved the utmost praise. I hey would find no better exhibits anywhere, „ and the Show was an example of what " the Coast could do. -Most folk visiting could hardly expect such an interesting display. Ho was glad to note that in the Kokatahi bay the engineering side of the farmers’ life had been taken into account. Mr O’Brien specii ally praised also the homework—the excellent cooking displayed, this was supposed to he the j:>'/.•/. age, when womenfolk could not cook a meal. But there was no doubt about the Kokatahi cooking, and that was the district for young men to look lor wives. Ho thanked the Committee for the opportunity given to address tTiem and spoke in praise of their Show, which gave the lie direct to those who said the Coast could not grow anything. Mr H. E. Holland. Leader of the Opposition, sincerely thanked, he said, the management for inviting him to | the Show and to speak. lie could , | offer them also sincere congratulations. J 1 He travelled more than any other politician in New Zealand, and had the opportunity of seeing various shows. This display compared excellently with other places. In New South Wales lie had been privileged also to assist at . similar shows, and the display befoie him was of outstanding merit. In bis opinion all these shows had an excellent economic value, tending to greater efficiency in production. He was wrapped up in the endeavour to secure i more production together with the bet- < ter distribution and marketing ot the t country’s produce. The laws of the c land must be written in that direction. f They had his thanks and renewed con- c pratulations on so fine a Show. o Telegrams of congratulation were g read from Mr .T. Steer and others, g and at the President’s invitation, Hon. n 11. L. Michel presented the Newman e Silver Cun to Mr H. A. Boddington. who won the trophy for the second year with the highest points scored at the Show. Mr Boddington acknowledged w Mr Michel’s kind remarks and said he p would have a try to win the cup out- \ right at the next Show. rn The President tTien called, on Mr E. gj A. Wells, Goiinty Chairman, to open . « the Show. I Cl

Mr Wells said he appreciated very much the honour of being with them, and assisting at the opening of the annual show—now such a recognised feature of the year in the KolcatahiKoiteraugi District. The Committee and settlers were congratulated on the success achieved. It must he recognised, lie said, that the conduct of such a large show took up a lot of time and required a great deal of tn.rgy to carry it through in the manner it lias been year by year. The sustained interest and enthusiasm of all in that respect was very praiseworthy and gave an inkling as to the cause for the general progress of the district. In keeping with that progress, ho said on

behalf of the County Council that the district would have a first-class main road. The principal sections of the main road were now declared main highway, and the local body would receive three-fifths of the cost of the upkeep of the road from the Main Highways Hoard. The fortunate settlers there who possess motor ears and are therefore privileged to pay the increased price for petrol, were going to get a direct return for their money. The whole length of the road was to he reconditioned, and lie hoped the time was not far distant when it would be possible to tar seal a considerable section of the road, flood roads were an evidence of the general prosperity, and assisted in placing an improved value on properties by means of improved access. Regarding County matters, lasaid that the Council had a successful year during his predecessor’s term, and he took the opportunity of publicly acknowledging the splendid work done by Mr Murdoch as County Chairman. With Mr Murdoch’s advice and leadership the Council has lodged a claim for

a substantial refund on account i timber royalties in addition to ill

amount recovered in the past by reason of Air Murdoch’s activities, so that 't might be possible at no very distant date to give some relief to the ratepayers iiv the reduction of rates. At all events, there was not going to bp an increase in rates, and the district now stands in the position ot being the lowest rated per pound of capital value

on the West Coast. In declaring the Show open Mr Wells again tendered to all concerned hearty congratulations on the success achieved and trusted the financial result would be satisfactory in every respect.

At the call of Mr Wells, hearty cheers were given for the Show Commit) ce.