CROWDED GROUND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26629, 27 November 1947, Page 6

CROWDED GROUND

CUSTOMARY INCIDENTS ENTERTAINMENT PRICES HIGHER Warm weather permitted the wearing of light clothing at the show, and made the crowd a moving mass of bright colours. There was a solid bank of spectators around the ringside, while the noisy side-show alley, the exhibits of machinery and motor vehicles, and the Fanciers’ Club show were thronged all afternoon. The sandhills on the far side of Tahuna Park provided a good gallery for those spectators who preferred to watch proceedings from a distance rather than enter into the tiring jostling which show-going entails. As usual, a few small children eluded the vigilance of their parents and were brought, frightened at their sudden freedom, howling to the secretary’s office until their parents could be located. One small girl refused to be comforted, but an even smaller boy sat happily until his anxious mother appeared. As with almost everything, the price of the entertainments and sticky sweets which younger showgoers regard as indispensable to the outing, have soared. For exciting rides on the various mechanical devices, or for the transient enjoyment of showground staples such as fairy floss, one shilling has clearly become the minimum coin of the realm. Nevertheless, parents and friends were evidently indulgent, for the business at the various stands was heavy.

Enjoyment of the day was—as always—greater in anticipation and retrospect than in actuality for those patrons with youngsters to watch over. It was nicely summed up in a brief conversation overheard by the Daily Times: “Mummy,” said a small boy hopefully, “will there be another show soon? ” There was a mingling of relief and determination in the tone of her reply: “No,” she said; “not for a long, long time! ”

COMPETITIONS

JUMPING AND HUNTING The leaping championship of Otago, open to lady or gentleman riders, was an exacting test over a sod wall, double brush, post and rails, single brush, hurdles and railway gate. Miss E. M. Grant’s Marquis won the title narrowly from Miss Mary Hazlett’s Wildflower, with D. F. O'Connell’s Viking in third place. The judge, Mr M. F. Maze, of Pleasant Ppint, said that Marquis Was the boldest jumper, but both the horses put up excellent performances. Viking had not maintained the standard set on the previous day. Concerning the Handy • Hunter Event, won by E. H. Aubrey's Granite, Mr Maze said that the rider and horse performed outstandingly. Results:— Leaping Championship of Otago (34 entries). —Miss E. M. Grant’s (Timaru) Marquis 1, Miss Mary Hazlett’s (Invercargill) Wildflower 2, D. F. O’Connell’s (Dunedin) Viking 3. B. Hastie’s (Dunedin) General MacArthur 4. Handy Hunter Competition (23 entries). —E. H. Aubrey’s (Ogmaru) Granite 1, R. Reid's (Outram) Blue Bird 2, W. E. Hazlett’s (Invercargill) Gladstone. STEER RIDING CHAMPIONSHIPS The Otago Steer Riding Championships resulted as follows:—K. Russell (Burnside) 1, R. Aubrey (Omarama) 2, A. Ford (Dunedin) 3. PONY EVENTS Pony Trot, up to 13.2 hand ponies. Eighteen entries—J. Didham's (Mosgiel) Danny Boy 1, Miss M. Hall’s (Dunedin) Sam Slick 2, Brian Anderton’s (Wingatui) Irish Sea 3. Pony Jump, 14.2 hands or under, boys and girls under 16. Nineteen entries— Reg. Sim’s (Tomahawk) Nugget 1, P. P. Hudson’s (Palmerston) Chum 2, Brian Anderton’s Irish Sea 3. Pony Trot, up to 14.2 hands, ponips. Thirteen entries.—T. Dagg’s (Dunedin) Billy Boy 1, Miss M. Hall’s (Dunedin) Sam Slick 2, Brian Anderton’s (Wingatui) Irish Sea 3. SHEEP DOG TRIALS The four Highest scoring dogs in the Driving and Yarding Competition held on Tuesday competed for the Championship and the Ardlui Trophy. The successful dog was Nell, owned by Mr W. S. Thomson, who defeated Mr M. A. Matfieson’s Bonnie by only one point. Mr Matheson had won the driving and yarding the previous day. Results: — Championship and Ardlui Trophy.—W. S. Thomson’s Nell, 91 points, I; M. A. Matheson’s Bonnie, 90 points, 2. VEHICLE EVENTS Motor Vehicle, up to 15cwt (open).—J.' R Brown. Ltd. (Dunedin), 1; E. Jensen, Ltd. (Dunedin), 2; J. R. Brown, Ltd. (Dunedin), 3. Only competitors.) Motor Vehicle, up to 15cwt (open to dairymen only).—W. Fox (Dunedin) 1. (Only competitor.) Motor Vehicle, up to 15cwt (open to bakers’ delivery vans. Nine entries—J. R. Brown, Ltd 1; J. G. Laurenson and Sons, Ltd., 2; J. R. Brown, Ltd., 3. Motor Vehicles, up to 2 tons (general carriers only). Two entries —W. H. Henderson 1 and 2. Motor Vehicles, over 2 tons (general carriers only).—W. H. Henderson (only competitor). Most Attractive Trade Display, limited to three vehicles. Three entries—W. H. Henderson 1, J. G. Laurenson and Sons, Ltd., 2, J. R. Brown, Ltd., 3. Neatest and Tidiest Turnout on Ground (open). Nine entries—W. H. Henderson 1, W. Fox 2, J. R. Brown, Ltd., 3.