THE Kaipara Advertiser AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25 1914 SHOWS AND SHOWS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 25 February 1914, Page 2

THE Kaipara Advertiser AND WAITEMATA CHRONICLE. WEDNESDAY, FEB. 25 1914 SHOWS AND SHOWS.

So there are ! Shows and Shows, but this paper is now referring to Agricultural and Industrial Shows, of which the North end of New Zealand, has just had a surfeit.

The beautiful month of February, 1914, now on the eve of passing out, has been an important and enjoyable one for our settlers, both large and small, and it almost goes without saying, that in no other part of the British Dominions, within the same radius, have so many Autumn shows been held as those North of Auckland.

But they are not all done yet, as March (next month) is booked for a few more, and the serious question arises as to whether or not there are too many shows of the class.

You will come across any number of people who will tell you that there are far too many shows of a sort held. And that is true in the abstract. For confirmation you just ask the man of means, the merchant, clubs, companies, and small firms of every description, and they will tell you during the " on season," how thoroughly sick they are of the cadging system for shows.

One wants an advertisement for the Schedule, another somearticle for a special prize, and yet another begging letter or deputation comes along for a subscription or monetary gift. Auckland traders especially are chiefly concerned, particularly in regard to North Auckland functions, and " the beauty of it is, 1' they'will tell you, " every show wants -and expects the three gifts—an .advt., a donation, and a sub.

Truly this appears hard on the merchant who must get his money back somehow, and it is presumed he does, by getting new customers and perhaps manipulating the price list for the country storekeeper, who looks upon the show in his immediate surroundings as a well deserved harvest.

Truly, money was made to go round, and shows, besides the industrial, educative and social aspects, gets it a good start. For all that there are too many small shows, but unless you want someone to "jump down your throat " no one is game to suggest which one or two might with advantage be amalgamated. The writer knows of two shows being held up North in comparative isolated settlements, but eight miles apart —played out gumfields through which the railway runs.—There's a public house in each place which contributes £10 a piece as a subscription to its own particular show, not the other fellow's. Talk up there of amalgamation and look out for the consequences.

In the meantime the dairy farmer horse and cattle breeder, the orchardist and the ladies— God bless them—wcrk together in harmony and subscribe most liberally, but without taking two bites at a cherry, let this paper remark that some of the shows are not the success they used to be or should be to-day'! The number of entries tell as well as the receipts.