Why Not a Summer Show?

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 535, 19 May 1933, Page 16

Why Not a Summer Show?

suggestion for revival FARMING development assures entries light horse entries guar anteed The desirability of again holclmg summer shows in Rotorua has been most warmly advocated by many district residents interested in, the welfare and progress of.the association. The question will most certainly be brought up at the next annua! meeting.

HERE appears to be no i definite reason available [ exP^a^n "why th'e Roto- j rua Summer Show wasl allowed to lapse, beyond' the feeling of depression caused by the loss entailed upon the holding of the 1927 fixture. That loss, combined. witjh the girowin/g pop'Ularity of the winter exhibition appears to have been the deciding factor, for, so far as can be traced among the records of the association, and the recollections of ohl members, the summer gathering seems to have generally paid its way and to have been a genuine attraction for the public. Why, then, should not the summer fixture be re-instituted as a regular feature of the association's proigramme? The winter exhibition is, admittedly, a very fine advertisement for the district, demonstrating, as it does, the rich productivity of our soil and the suitability of the climate for the growth of a wide xange of farm and garden products. The district courts from this area which were among the exhibits at the] Auckland Winter Shows made Rotorua famous throughout the province as a rootcropping area. Their value, and the value of the local exhibition, cannot be over-estimated, but as one farmer has very wisely remarked, "What is the use of showing that we can grow crops unless we can also show that we have the stock to eat them ?" That puts the position in a nutshell. A summer show, where the stock section of the farming industry can be emphasised is a very advisable carollary to a winter exhibition. A glance through old schedules of the shows covering many years will prove that entries in the stock classes and competitions were very satisfactory indeed when the state of development in the district is taken into account. Therefore, if it was possible to secure adequate support for a stock show 10 or 15 years ago, there should be no difficulty in meeting success with a similar gathering to-day. Since the association allowed its summer show to lapse thousands of acres of new land have come into occupation and the number of probable exhibitors has increased accordingly. There can be

no doubt in the public mind on this score because the shipments of manure received and the records of the dairy factories igive convincing proof of our agrieultural and pastoral growth. Provision of Attractions. Another factor which may be rea- j sonably taken as a happy .augury of success with a summer show is the revival of interest in light horses. From thc ranks of the Rotorua and Eay of Plenty Hunt Club could be drawn more than enough competitors to provide an attractive ( series of horse events for the amusement of the public. Prominent officials of the. club have expressed themselves as enthusiastically in favour of a sum-

mer show and are willing to guarantee support. It has been held, and with a certain amount of truth, that stock shows have lost a good deal of popularity with the public. But this contention apvlies in a greater measure to the cities than to the country districts. i Townspeople will certainly flock to • see the bright lig'hts and novelties of ' a big winter show in preference to 1 spending a day in the open with ! stock and machinery. The general use of the motor car has also been a big factor in diverting many per-

sons from the use of, and interest in horses. But it must be femembered that in Rotorua we occupy a somewhat isolated position and we are not overburdened with large public entertainments in the summer time. Country people would be glad to attend a show here if the association were prepared to modernise its programme and assure the provision of the necessary attractions. It must be remembered that out of every hundred p'ersons attending a show there are not more than half a dozen solely interested in stock or crops. The rest go to seek amusement, and if that amusement is not provided -they will pass the showground gate and seek, their pleasure elsewhere. The Time Opportune. Now is the time, while enthusiasm over the winter show is hot, to give serious considerataon to the summer fixture, and as the society is not now | handicapped by lack of funds, it is in a good position to launch a pro- | gramme which would definitely asi sure success. It would certainly call j for some energetic work among the j farmers, and before they came to the I decision to prepare stock for exhibiI tion they would need convincing that the association was making no Ifalfhearted effort. But once that assurance was forthcoming and it could be shown that attractions would be provided to rnake an entry worth while, it is highly probable they would back up the movement with substantial

support. A good summer show in Rotorua should prove an invaluable asset to the town, as interest would be widespread. Development has been proceeding rapidly in the Bay of Plenty of late years and if the right appeal were made in that quarter no doubt many exhibitors could be induced To enter their stock or horses for competition. The townspeople could largely be relied upon to co-operate and existing organisations would not hesitate to back the association up with help for a progressive movement. Wet weather need not be seriously feared as an obstacle to finaneial success, as insurance companies are only too ready to write up business.