THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With WHICH IS INCORPORATED "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Friday, July 10, 1914

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 10 July 1914, Page 4

THE KAIPARA AND WAITEMATA ECHO With WHICH IS INCORPORATED "The Kaipara Advertiser & Waitemata Chronicle." Helensville, Friday, July 10, 1914

As will be observed by referring to the recently delivered Chairman's report on last season's Agricultural and Pastoral . Association Show ahd the Society's present position, although there is little to cavil about, things are not so rosy as one would wish them to be. But then " there is every hope." There is scarcely anything wanting in patronage of the stock and home industrial sections, but much is required to make these more attractive and comfortable. New pens for the accommodation of stock are urgently necessary, and above all, a substantial and commodius hall for'inside exhibits is essential, and ways and means should certainly be devised for assuring success to that department mostly contributed to by the ladies. The old and primitive method of housing valuable exhibits such as fruit and garden produce, confectionery, cooking, needlework, and other industries need something better and more secure from the weather than a mere marquee which is but a make-shift at the best. . Then the catering for the inner man and woman is also of much importance, for unless he or she is satisfied with comfortprovided and refreshments, all things look gloomy. In this department the writer happens to know some of the methods, failures, and ultimate success of catering for a thousand or so of public patrons to similar Shows further North. For years no one could be got to cater for the Waimate North Show satisfactorily. Caterers for all rights offered but little for the privilege, though 2/ 6 a dinner was the charge, and more often than not the fare was cold mutton, halfraw ham (fat), and badly cooked potatoes, washed down with genuine " hot codlins," sometimes called tea. Until at last the society in question got together some pots, pans, ovens, kettles, cutlery and crockery, and the necessary male and female labor, and commenced catering on their own.

The first attempt was something to laugh and growl at; the second made a slight improvement, while the third was a " recovery," and actually paid all expenses, and now each cateringday is a source of revenue to the Show to the extent of something like £30, while the public are pleased, and that is a great desideratum. The cooking is car-

ried on in small sheds, while the diners are cared for in the Society's own marquee. The Helensville Executive may well take the hint. The travelling public especially wants feeding and amusing ; plenty of outside attractions and refreshment booths, especially to bring the crowds, and so enlarge the gate receipts.

Owing to the Helensville 'A. and P. Association's financial position through acquiring a most desirable site of their own and having to go into debt in consequence, is at present in a tight corner to effect the desired improvements in cattle pens, hall, etc.; they have been unsuccessful in disposing of some of their property, and this is the most unfortunate part of the programme, but that is only of a temporary nature, and time will soon land the committee in prosperty. As the report points out: more members are wanted in order to assure ultimate success, and in a flourishing farming district such as this the number should not be so very hard to increase, especially when it is shown that the Association exists for the benefit of(one and all. To bring along the desired increase a " prevailing" circular should be posted to every non-member for miles around, and with a real, live secrtary, now sought for by advertisement, another one or two hundred members should be added to the list of subscribers. Agricultural and Industrial Shows should be self-supporting as much as possible, and not too much reliance placed upon the merchants and business men of Auckland, who v are just about getting full-up of donating goods and cash to county shows, of which there is a surfeit. A layman can scarcely conceive the continual drain upon the till in this respect, which often courts curt rebuff to applicants for help. So " blessed are they who help themselves " to success.