THE WAIKATO WINTER SHOW.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 38, 12 July 1907, Page 3

THE WAIKATO WINTER SHOW.

- (Own Correspondent.) The first Winter Show held in the Waikato was opened on - Wednesday of last week, in the new Horse Bazaar. The Mayor iof Hamilton, Mr J. S. Bond, formalty declared the Show open.' Mr Boikl stated , that many people had looked upon the Show as a forlorn hope, but when they looked around, all fears or doubts of success were dispelled. The building lends itself particularly well for the purpose of holding a show of this kind, there being half-an-acre of ground under the one roof, and even this large space was found insufficient, a large marquee having" to be obtained from Cambridge to provide greater accommodation. Where so many of the exhibits were of particularly high merit, it would be almost unfair to particularise, and if one referred to any it wc u'd be only fair to mention all, but I do not propose to take up your space with what might not be of great interest to your readers. I think I should mention the exhibit of Messrs Ellis and Burnand, that firm being so well known in the King Country. Their collection of furniture, all of which was turned out at their own factory, "was most creditable. An exhibit that I think should also be mentioned was that sent by the Agricultural Department. This exhibit consisted of trees, shrubs, grasses, roots, potatoes, corn in sheaf, and other things too numerous to mention. The collection was indeed not only most attractive, but instructive, and must do a great deal of good, and certainly was a credit to the Department. The Waikato Court, as produced at theC-hristchurch Exhibition, was re-produced here. This court looked very attractive, and amongst a great variety of articles, such as- oil paintings, photographs, heads of deer, carved walking sticks, etc., etc., one noticed a very fine collection of Maori kits, supllied by Mere te Rongo, of Oparure. Another stall in a different part of the building was devoted entirely to Maori curios, mats, and similar treasures, and one noticed some fine exhibits from Mr J. Hetet, Andrew Pepene, Mr Somerville and others. This stand was verj r much admired. The' poultry exhibit was both large and good and elicited keen competition. The classes for dogs were not very strong in either* quality or quantity. The exhibition of buggies and waggons was good, and several local firms were showing in this class. One thing that struck me as being detrimental was the lack of " side shows," the only diversion being " Punch and Judy." I think that at a small show of this kind the side attractions are a great draw to the public. They also tend to alleviate the monotony of walking round and round the show. However, all this will no doubt come in time, and for a first effort, the Show must be pronounced, by one and all, a very great success. Each evening music was discoursed by the Hamilton Brass Band, and on alternate evenings orchestral items were given, both of these being very much enjoyed by the public. I have only endeavoured to give you a rough sketch of the Show, still, were I to go into details I would require several columns of your paper, and this I am sure you do not want, and could not spare. In conclusion I would just like to say that I think very great credit-is due to the promoters of this Show, who, although told by many that they were " riding to a fall," nevertheless stuck to their guns, and converted what so many thought a forlorn hope, into a complete success. Nov/ that the returns are published, and a handsome credit balance is shown, the future of the Waikato Winter Show should be assured, and I feel confident that it will repay the King Country residents and settlers to avail themselves of the opportunity to attend this function next year. From an educational point of view the Department of Agriculture's exhibit alone is worth the addition, the Department's experts gave lectures on bee-keeping, poultry raising, and fruit canning, the same being well attended. Opportunities such as these occur but seldom to the back-blocker, and when they do present themselves, it is wise to take advantage of them,