TENTH ANNUAL A. AND P. FIXTURE PROVES MARKED SUCCESS.

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 258, 23 June 1932, Page 6

TENTH ANNUAL A. AND P. FIXTURE PROVES MARKED SUCCESS.

RESULTS OF JUDGING. OUTSTANDING QUALITY IN G ARDEN AND FIELD ROOT CROPS. The tenth annual Winter Show of the Rotorua Agricultural and Pastoral Association which opened yesterday proved an undoubted success. While sonie? of the sections were weak in exhibits there were outstanding features -which demonstrated the growing- popularity and usefulness of the gathering. The garden and field produce classes were outstanding and showed substantial increases in both quality and quantity. The garden section increased. 100 per cent. and field produce by 25 per cent. The root crops were a capital illustration of what can be produced from the pumice land and should serve as an advertisement of considerable valuesto the district. Many of the old exhibitors were again prominent in the prize list, but it was pleasing to notice that new districts were contributing their share to the exhibition.

Experts were emphatic that many j of the products were equal to the best , exhibited in more highly developed ! districts. Birds in the poultry section also showed particular merit, the judge declaring that some classes would have won high awards at other shows. The industrial and school classes also contained some exceptionally fine work, winning high commendation from the judges. interesting Maori exhibits helped to add attraction to the display. There was a most satisfactory attendance of the public throughout the day, and the laden benches, with the attractive handiwork and crafts exhibitions attracted a merited share of interest. An orchestra livened the proceedings at the evening sessions. The free transmitting service organised by members of the Rotorua branch of the New Zealand Radio Transmitters' Association attracted considerable attention and over 100 messages were received for transmission in less than an hour. The attraet- | ive display of the Government Tourist | Department at the far end of the hall provided an impressive baelcground for the busy scene beneath, The show will conclude to-day and this evening, the old time ball which has been organised in the Majestic ball-room, should prove a very fitting termination to a successful fixture. THE OFFICIAL OPENING. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P., who was callcd suddenly to Wellington, the show was officially opened by the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson. Before calling upon the Mayor to address the gathering, the chairman of the Association, Mr. II. P. Ford, briefly extended the thanhs of the Association to the exhibitors and declared that in the garden see--tion alone there was an inerease of 100 per cent, in the exhibits, while in the field products there was an inerease of 25 per cent. II e was pleased to say that the quality had also shown a marked improvement. Mr. Jackson, in declaring the show officially open, stated that this was the fourth oeeasion upon which he had had the opportunity to perform the ceremony. He feared that if he j was called upon to do it many timas more he would be at a loss to fmd appropriate opening remarlcs. He was very gratified to be able to express his appreciation of the splendid work '{fxrried out by tlre stewards and officials of the Associationfl When they realised the vast amount of effort that went into the making of the show, they would realise also that without that vast amount of work and self-sacrifice, the show would not be possible. They should also realise the value of such an exhibition to the district as a whole. As an old exhibitor, he was also able to appreciate the work of the exhibitors. When they loolced at the root crops and home exhibits that went to make up the show, thejr could understand the amount of hard work that it was necessary to put in before those exhibits were fit to go on the benches. Those exhibitors who went to this trouble carried out the work with an entirely public spirit; not because of the reward, but for the general good of the district. Material Problems. Digressing from the work of. the show, Mr. Jackson touched upon one or two problems which the exhibition forcibly brought to mind. When they saw such splendid evidence of the productivity of the pumice lands, and they recalled the huge area stil undeveloped, and at the same time remembered the number of men out of work, whose labour could be employcd in reproduction on the lands in the district, it was a wonder that these two elements of labour and land had not been brought together long ago. He felt that there was a decided reluctance on the part of the powers that be to realise the seriousness of the unemployment problem, and a reluctance to face the fact that it was not a temporary phase in our economic condition. All efforts made to provide a solution of the difficulty seemed based upon the assumption that the depression was purely temporary. That was a most dangerous point of view.

Those wha had studied the economic position of this and other countries were forced to a realisation that unless we grappled with the problem by land development, the depression had come to stay. So far as this country was concerned, when the international situation had been dealt with, there would be relief from the great interest burdens, but nevertheless, we in New Zealand would still be faced with the necessity of a readjustment of our population between town and country. A Fool's Paradise. In the past, we had lived in a fool's paradise, stated Mr. Jackson, using loan money to see us through, but there was only one real solution and that was closer settlement. Many fanns were too big, and not properly worlced. The Association could do very good work among the producers of the district, and by helping to urge the authorities to ppsh on with closer settlement. At present, they were not receiving their share of the benefits of such settlement either in their own town, or nationally. Those interested in an adjustment of the unemployment problem believed that the Association could do no better work than to demonstrate the possibilities of the Rotorua district for land settlement. Need* for Summer Show. Referring to the actual work of the Association, Mr. Jackson said that it was not his policy to say things which he did not mean. While he saw that a great work had been accomplished in the winter show, he felt that the Association had failed trag'ically in not running a summer show, and he sincerely hoped that this fixture would be revived. He did not detract from the benefit of the present show, but contended that it was not sufficient simply to demonstrate what crops could be grown. They could also produce stock and the holding of a summer show would give stock owners an opportunity to prove that the pumice lands could also produce stock and the holding oi' a summer show, would give stock owners an opportunity to prove that the pumice lands could produce stock equal to that of other parts of the Dominion. That was his firm conviction, after farming for many years in the district. Women's Club Work B fiore concluding Mr. Jackson paid a warm tribute to the fine efort made evry year by the Rotorua Women's Club. The functions of the club were very varied and for many years it had carried on good work in the district. Never a show was held but the club came forward with its services. He endorsed the remarks of Mr. Ford, and declared it would be difficult to find a show in any district in the same stage of development as Rotorua with produce to equal what had been displayed that day. He fully appreciated the difficulties which the Association had to face and hoped that more space would be provided for the exhibits next year. Tourist Department. The exhibition from the Tourist Department's vegetable garden (which supplies the Sanatorium and King George V. Hospital) was a magnificent example of what the district soil will produce wfien cultivated upon sound, scientific lines. The exhibits consisted of Elsie Craig onions, pumpkins of various kinds, marrows in variety, parsnips, carrots, and last, but by no means least, leeks. A central bundle of these vegetables won widespread commendation and were certainly a credit to Mr. Ilesketh, the head gardener. The main display of the Tourist Department occupies a big space right in the middle of the rear wall of the building and is quite an attractive feature of the show. Across the top a sign carries the name of the department and panels on either side draw attention to the baths and scenic tours organised for visitors. On a background of greenery are displayed pictures of New Zealand scenery and sports trophies. The central feature is a magnificent 15-pointer stag's head, flanked an either side by 12-

"" • pointers! Stuffed trout, both brown and rainbow, illustrate what the Lake region waters can offer visiting anglers. The whole exhibit is brilliantly lighted and does much to brighten up the appearance of the show. The display has received the personal attention of Mr. L. J. Balfeild, district manager of the department.