SHOW ENTERTAINMENT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4381, 22 February 1922, Page 4

SHOW ENTERTAINMENT.

EXPRESSION OF IMPRESSIONS. ASSOCIATION ’CONGRATULATED. Show official's and others were entertained, in the evening after the second annual Show by the Hauraki Plains A. and P. Association op gati urday. After all- had partaken of the eatables the evening resolved itself into expressions of opinions from those present Only two judges were able to accept the Association’s invitation to he present, the others Having to hurry away. Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., who with Mr A. Wilson, excused himself early in the evening, said that it was not very difficult to express an opinion on the Show. It was “Good” in pne word. He, had visited Carterton and Palmer.-, ston shows. He would not say it was as good 'as either of those two, but when it was remembered that only 12 years ago most of the lend, on the Plains was under water the Shdw was a tip-top one. There was a fine class of dairy stock. There was also a good display of exhibits in the hall, but he thought there could have been a little more cookery exhibits.. He hoped the show was as big a success financially as it was in every other way. He wished the Hauraki Plains A., and P. Association a big and prosperous future. It was for the good o!f the district. On behalf of the visitors he expressed appreciation of the kindness of /all, especially the ladies.

Mr A. Wilson (Thames) ui]ged the association'to buck up and Kelp 'he country through. He endorsed Mr Rhodes’ remarks, saying that the stock was of fine, order. '’cheers were then given for the president, and ladies. THE JUDGES SPEAK.. After Messrs Rhodes and Wilson had departed,.Mr Henry on behalf of the Association thanked the judges for theii services. He asked if tihose who were able to stay could venture expressions of opinion. Mr D. G. McMillan, proposing tne health of the judges, said the judges realised that they were a target for criticisms from those whom the decisions, did not please. \ The judges were game men. He complimented the judges bn the way they had cart ried out their duties in an unbiassed way. A judge had only to please one man, and that was himself, He claimthat the judges that day had carried out their duties in that efficient manner. The idea of a show was to collect the best stock of the country and for the judge to give his ’opinion on that stock. He regretted that there were not more judges present. ,Mr Barriball said that he, with Mr. Reid, had found a pleasure in judging. For the very short time the Association had been established the; shpw had been a splendid one. The Friesians had made a good exhibi-, tion. If the Plains fanners got the right blood and the right ■ butter-fat strain they would not have a difficult task in having the best stock in New Zealand. He did not agree with exhibiting one class against another for the best dairy cow, as each judge would favour his own particular breed. The Friesian which had been picked as the best was a very good cow. The grade heifers had been a very good class. He was pleased with the. Show.

Mr Reid said it was his first time on the Hauraki Plains. When they got off hills and down to the swamp he was surprised that the land was in such an advanced state. He was again surprised to see such a fine turn.out of Jersey cattle. Thgf chanipion was a fipe type of Jersey bull. The cows, two of them at any belonging to Mr Hall, were beautiful cows. A black yearling should make a champion in another couple of seasons. The yearling, bulls were very good indeed. He was pleased with the fine lot of grade Jerseys. He did his best, and when he tvas finished he was satisfied he had picked the best. He agreed with Mr Barrlt ball regarding judging mixed breeds. It was generally the man who talked loudest who would have the prize awarded as he thought ,jfit. He had seen other breeds he had admired very muclu, There was a white bullock Which was as fine a beast as one coulfi expect to see. He did not think the Jersey was the universal epw, but it was the best cow which suited the country. The Jersey, he thought, suited New Zealand, especially the North Island. It was an eye opener to see the splendid maize crops. He did not know where maize grew better,' unless it was round Whakatane. He considered that the Show oh the whole was a wonderful show, especially seeing that only 10 or 12 years ago it was raupo swamp. He thought the country had a wonderful future.

Mr Beck, of Thames, said ihe was more than pleased with the needlework. The matron of Thames Hospital had had a strenuous time in judgi ing the babies. It took her fully an hour and a half to judge the large number of .babies. THE FARMING INDUSTRY. . Mr C. W. Harris, proposing the toast of the farming industry, said that farming was the mainstay of this and most other countries. Everything took its origin in the soil. It was those men and women who were the back bone ofi the country. Farming was not an easy, contented way of making a living. It meant long hours of strenuous work while the townsfolk were in bed asleep. But he did not think any farmer regretted being a farmer. He did not think the low price of button-fat was going to dishearten the farmers. They must increase production, and even when the prices were low show that they could make a living. Referring to their own particular corner of the country, the speaker said the land should be an incentive to men to farm there. He stated without fear of contradiction that it was the finest, of land. The Hauraki Plains was spoken of from the North Cape to the Bluff as some of the most-fertile country in New Zealand. It was a little while ago known only as the home of the duck pukeko. He felt that in the very near future they would have a district second to none for the farming industry. THE LADIES. Mr J. C. Miller, in proposing the toast of the ladies, thought the president was getting a nasty one on to a young one like himself. (Laughter.) He recognised the importance of the toast, saying that it was a very insipid affair without the presence of the ladies. The refreshments of the day were the 1 result, of the effort of the ladies of Ngatea, and it could not have been done better. (Hear, hear-) It was as good a spread as he had seen at any of tihe shows. The quaG ,ity could not have been beaten. It. the ladies credit in every way. tie coupled the name of Mr Dunlop with the toast. Mr T. Dunlop said that though he was not a ladies’ man it was a pleasure to have them to cater for ihim. He was very pleased indeed with their work. The ladies who came first to the Plains with their hus*bands deserved all the credit they could get. He thanked the committee and settlers generally for. their hospitality.

\ Mr W. J. Byrne said the amateur judging competitions were the first of their kind introduced at the Ngatea Show. On behalf of Mr Hall he said the results were very creditable indeed. It reflected certain credit on thie system adopted that the same boy won both competitions. The winner of the men’s competition was easily out in a class by, himself, and had given concise reasons for his judgments. He was only weak on two questions. The winner off the boys’ competitions, Master Taylor, had done remarkably well. There were 10 entries in the men’s and .13 in thp boys’ classes. He agreed with Mr Hall that the entry fees were 'rai ther high. If they were lower it would encourage largep'entries. The system of the score card was far ahead of those adopted at other shows. He j thought the prizes were splendid, and the donors were to be complimented for their splendid spirit in giving the prizes. PLAINS PRODUCTIVITY. Mr Denize, stock inspector, giving his impression’s of the Show, said he was a stranger and could only endorse Mr Barriball’s and Mr Reid’s sentiments regarding the productivity of the land;- One could not realise what the future of the Plains would be when the system of draining and top-dressing were completed. The SJiow compared more than favourably with other similar shows. The medium draft horses were exceptionally good. The light horses were very fair indeed,- and several of them were exceptional animals. A veterinary club was a step in the right direction, and with systematic culling and attending to the cows would do a loti to improve the industry. THE PRESIDENT.

Mr Harris, proposing the toast of the president, said he had admirably conducted his duties not only that day, but as an organiser of the Show. (Applause.) They were under an obligation to men such as the president, who was worthy of their goodwill, hearty co-operation, and support. A good deal of the successful issue of the day was on his shoulders. Mr Barriball endorsed Mr Harris’ remarks. Mr Henry said he did not look for the flattering remarks bestowed on him. The Show was a matter he was deeply interested in. The reason why

the Show was no.t held at Kerepeehi, where the Government had given land, was because tjhat land was not fit for p. show yet. He had accepted the position of president for one year only, as he was a believer that new blood should come into association. The association should make that, a rule. He was pleased with thfe success of the Show. The entries had been smaller, but the quality was better. 'They had seen the reward already of forming an association on the Plains, as in 12 months the farmers had gone in for better stock. As a breeding ground, given fresh water supply, they had no better place in New Zealand- He .thanked, especialy, the stewards for their excellent help in preparing (for the show. The stewards again have benefited by the last show. Mistakes were made that day which. they would benefit by again next year. THE SECRETARY. < Mr W. Hale, expressing his appreciation and proposing the health of the secretary, said that on the secretary of the gathering fell all thte hard work and a good deal of complaints* They were fortunate in having such a good man as Mr Walton. From the secretarial point Mr Walton had play-i ed his part and proved to be the right man in the right place. Mr Henry, on behalf of the secretary who was not present, thanked Mr Hale for his reniarks, which were quite due to the secretary. He had been in personal touch with tihe secretary, and Mr Walton had been most thorough in all his duties. A lot of the credit cast on the speaker were undoubtedly due to the secretary, who they could thank for their day’s success. THE WORKERS. Mr Miller, proposing the toast of the workers, the stewards, appreciated the. labours of! those stewards and all those , who had. worked for the advancement and breeding, of better stock and advertising of the district.! He knew of several who had seen nothing of the show except their own particular section. Mr D. J. O’Carroll responded. THE TOWNSPEOPLE. Mr Henry 5 said he thought it fit to propose the health of the towns pbpp'e who gave the association splendid support. The business people realise ed that there could be no town without the country. Donations and advertising space had been given freely. They had done veijy. well in Paeroa and Thames, where they had. collected a considerable amount of dona/ tions. The assistance and co-ppera-tidh had gone very largely in making the show, a financial success. Messrs N. Beattie, Paeroa, and Dunlop, Thames, responded, Me Dunlop saying that the show was a record fbr a place such as tfiat for its second annual show. He complimented the association on the way they had handled the show and the success they had attained.’ He had not seen a better secretary and staff in connection with the show. Mr D. J. O’Carroll paid tributes to the secretary and president, hoping, that the latter would see it fit to accept the presidency for at least another year. Messrs W. G. Hayward and A. R. Vowles proposed the toast to the press, the press representatives responding.