THE WAIKATO SHOW.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4422, 2 June 1922, Page 2

THE WAIKATO SHOW.

ENORMOUS CROWDS ATTENDING*

AN OPTIMISTIC OUTLOOK.

Ample evidence of the spirit of op timism, which is rapidly spreading throughout the country, is clearly displayed in the enormous crowds visiting th? great Waikato Winter Show. On all sides there were happy, smiling faces, the price of ninepence per pound for butter-fat being forgotten by the farmers in their cheery outlook and hopes for much better prices next season, while the townsfolk were seemingly elated at the fall in-price of the manufactured articles. The record number of exhibits of every description bora an indication of prosperity, and the whole scene was one at which the worst of pessimists could have been made to feel a little hopeful that better times were coming. . «

The enormpus building in whicn the show is housed was inadequate tc comfortably hold the exceptionally large number present. The crowds had come from near and far, the long trains arriving with numbers of passengers unable to secure seats. The trains returned in a similarly conges tod state. There was, perhaps, no other portion of the show more keenly interesting to the farmers, than the almost countless numbers of trade exhibits. Milking machines of many makes appeared to eclipse everything in that which was of interest to farmers. Other farming implements and necessaries attracted a great deal of interest, but not as much as the. milking machine appeared to do. The seeds, and fertilisers also made an imposing display. The motor-car section was also of great interest, and the long line of) cars and trucks of various makes made a fine exhibition witX their painted and polished bodies, occupying practically the whole of the centre portion of one wing of the building. Among the agricultural exhibits were fine examples of wihat the country is capable of producing. The judges made congratulatory remarks regarding the quality of the butter and cheese exhibits, and the large number of entries' has niade those ex-< hibits the largest in New Zealand, possibly the largest in the world. A first place among such; competition is, therefore, one,of great honour, and the Ngatea butter factory may well feel proud of its win. The points gained by other factories in this district were not far behind the winning figures: for instance, the Hauraki Plains Dairy Co.’s cheese exhibits obtained as many as 9214 points. The examples of the root crops were comprehensively displayed. This season has been a (favourable one for growing roots, and some' fine specimens of the varieties represented were staged. Besides numbers of mangolds, carrots, swedes, potatoes, pumpkins, and such like, there were all classes of vegetables, maize-, millet, sorghum, and other forage crops. The apiary section was also of exceptional interest, and samples of honey and wax produced at, the State apiary were artistically displayed. A hive of live bees was part of the exhibition. to

The musical programme was.of a high-class order, but the building, is a very bad one for sound. It was found that a large crowd congregated round the platform and only those nearest could hear properly. However, while, the musical programme was in progress there was more room in other parts of the building.