WAIKATO WINTER SHOW.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 471, 5 June 1912, Page 5

WAIKATO WINTER SHOW.

THE OPENING CEREMONY

PERFORMED BY HON. A. M MYERS.

By Te'egraph.—Special Correspondent Hamilton, This Day.

' The sixth annual Waikato Winter ! Show wag opened yesterday afternoon jby the Hon. A. M, Myers. Notwith- ! standing the unsettled weather there I J was a large attendance though tinI bulk of country visitors is expect vd to j arrive nearer the end of the week". Mr Myers offered the association his hearty congratulations on the high standard maintained in previous years, and which he felt confident was surpassed on the present occasion. He could not over estimate the benefits derived from such shows as this. The spirit of friendly rivalry, which existed, in itself was productive of much good, but shows served greater purposes. The interchange of ideas which accrued from agricultural and pastoral industries, was an incalculable benefit. He referred to the fact that the Manawatu A. and P. Association recently brought before his notice the desirability of running special trains to convey stock exhibits from the Waikato agricultural show. Stock breeders in the Manawatu and Auckland districts were desirous of intrechanging exhibits. He had given the matter careful consideration, and he saw that considerable benefit would accrue to both districts. He was now pleased to announce that a special train would convey the stock at the points required and the first trial would be made at the next Manawatu show. He said he would like the secretary's to note the fact that such a steD was authorised, and to notify breeders of the new departure. If the experiment was successful on that occasion the train would be continued. Without delving into history it Is sufficient to say that the Waikato Winter Show of 1912 is without compeer. To gauge this accurately it is only necessary to look at the figures of this year over those of 1911. The total entries for 1911 were 2652, as compared with this year's of 3074. Collectively the butter exhibits of 1911 were 50; this year tbey are 132. In cheese the entries for 1912 are 50 as against five last year. Hams and bacon have increased and in the agricultural section the excess of this year's figures of those over last totals 100. The horticultural sections gives an increase over last year of 200, and while the apiarian section is not large, still it holds its own with 1911. In needlework the increase of entries for 1912 over those of 1911 is close on 100, the exact figures being, 1911, 414; 1912, 509. In the schools section, one of interest to all, the entries have more than doubled on those of last year—l9ll, 300; 1912, 612. In the industrial section three is an increase of over 100 entries, the figures for the previous year being 517, while those of 1912 are 686. The poultry section, while not having advanced to a great extent numerically is far and away the best ever seen in Hamilton. The classes for children's peta show a commendabb increase, and the sideshows and stands are, both in figures and space, stronger and better.