Agricultural and Pastoral Society

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26628, 26 November 1947, Page 6

Agricultural and Pastoral Society

HORSE SECTIONS WELL FILLED

“The show is your shop window,” states the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society on the cover of its catalogue. The society’s sixtysixth annual metropolitan summer show—the major shop window for the farmers and breeders of the province—was still in the early window dressing stage throughout most of yesterday, but there was every indication that the display would be well up to the standards ,of previous years. '

Only the small pig section and the dogs were; judged; yesterday and there was very little stock for the first-day visitors to inspect. In fact, side-show alley’s assortment of semi-jungle animals probably outnumbered the domestic animals—with the exception of horses—until well into the afternoon. The majority of exhibitors now prefer to bring their stock in by road transport, which is easier on the stock and considerably quicjcer and less trouble for the owners, so that dozens of floats, trailers and trucks will doubtless arrive at Tahuna Park this morning. Exhibits are coming from as far afield as Kurow and Invercargill.

The increase in the number of entries this year is mainly attributable to the increased support' given to the light horse and pony classes, which are better filled than they have been for the past 20 years.'.. The return to the two-day programme has also "allowed greater scope in the light horse competition, which will have doubtless encouraged the entrants. Clydesdale Entries

The Clydesdales promise to be among the most spectacular features of the grand parade to-day, for the entry of 44 is probably the biggest

for any show in the country. At. the South Island Championship show ;at Christchurch, only nine. Clydesdales were entered, so that the Otago committee has every cause to be pleased ( ,with the excellent local entry. The competitions, which were .commenced yesterday afternoon, attracted keen attention and some of the district’s best light horses were seen in action. 1 The dog trials were well contested and, after the finals this afternoon, the four top-placed dogs will compete for the Otago championship and the’Ardlui trophy, presented by Mr George Ross. ' When the judging in the stock sec- % tions has been completed to-day, the announcement will be made of' the award of the Johnstone Memorial Shield for the most points in the purebred stock classes. The shield has been won by Mr D. H. Kennedy (Windsor) at the. last three shows. Side-show Alley A major attraction at any summer show is the side-show alley, and the showmen were busy yesterday morning rigging their tents and signs and making ready their various exhibits. A were ready for

. business in the afternoon and some •"of the “'’barkers” iwere warming up thejr publicity.jpafter for the evening’s carnival. . The. shows -themselves run the same

somewhat startling gamut, from fiverlegged calves to “ wall of death ’’ ( rftotor-cycle riders, and from magic to a mammoth man: In between the display tents are the customary throwdowns, darts, and similar tests of skill and luck while the machinery and f ' stands—now combined into smart caravans—for producing and purveying the sustenance beloved of show crowds were showing stocks of popcorn, waffles and fairy floss. For the younger generation, roundabouts and swings stood ready to provide adventurous rides. An attractive marquee which deserves attentibn 'lias been arranged by the Federated Farmers in conjunction with the Prime Minister’s Department and it deals in pictorial form with Aid for Britain.