THE STRATFORD SHOW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 39, 29 January 1912, Page 8

THE STRATFORD SHOW.

CHILDREN’S PRIZE ESSAYS. Follow ing arc the essays which gained hist prize in the children’s essay competition in connection with the recent show : “La Pacclle.” The other night as wo sa* at tea we heard a knock at the door, and what was our surprise when, on opening it, wo ' beheld an old friend who had travelled from the South Island for tiio express purpose of seeing the second annual show of the Stratford A. and P. Association! And, of course, 1 was very much delighted when I learnt that it was to bo my duty and pleasure to escort her over the grounds. As we walked up, wo talked of the object of shows in general. I remember my companion said that they encourage people to produce the best results; also that they circulate money among the townspeople, because many go to a great deal of expense in order to look well-dressed on Show Day. “What a nice distance from town the Showgrounds are!” exclaimed my companion. “And what crowds of people there are!” Put when we entered the grounds the people in- the street behind us were as a more pebble on the beach when compared with the thousands we saw in front of us.

Looking to our right, past a sheltering belt of pines, wo saw a very large paddock, full of horses and vehicles belonging to members. Beyond this were several feed paddocks, some of which had already been cut. An old man was carting the fresh grass to the horse-boxes. We followed him.

The stable was a long, narrow shed divided into compartments—one for each horse. Eacli animal was fed and groomed well regularly. How lovely tfiey looked with their shining coats! We quite envied those fortunate boys and girls who were riding in the pony scampers, and the other competitions for children.

Next to the horses were the cattle—the great secret of Taranaki’s success. They 7 were divided into classes —Jerseys, butter-fat winners, and bulls. Along one side were a number of stalls, in which iwere the largest bulls. The > show Jerseys was probably larger and liner than that of any other, show in the North Island. The blitter-fat winners were mostly of the Ayrshire, Hereford, and Holstein breeds. There was not an unhealthylooking cow on the grounds, and truly, where cattle are concerned, Stratford’s show seems to outshine all others in the Dominion.

Wo passed on to the sheep. Here both their owners and those in charge of them had apparently resolved to make a close fight for the prizes. A great many kinds were shown, but of course there were not nearly so many entries as there were for the cattle.

There seemed to bo a good show of pigs, several varieties being represented—pigs of all kinds, colours, and' size. But, <as the afternoon was going, we only glanced at /the pigstyes. ,

Leaving thorn, we passed several pans of grade cattle. Beyond the weight-guessing stand, the luncheon booths, the grandstand, tents reserved for I the Press and the Judges, and many side-shows, we came upon an elevated stand, where a man was giving a demonstration of sheep-shear-ing by machinery. The work was done quickly and ovehly, and seemed a great improvement on hand-shearing. Wo noticed several milking machines, and exhibits by local tradesmen, prominently seedsmen and implement agents. We passed more .sideshows and arrived at tho dog tent. What a variety there were!—from the shaggy collie to the snarling bulldog, from the greyhound to the Irish tender. But for the noise they made we should have stayed much longer to admire them.

However, as it began just then to rain, we took shelter in the Homo Industries shed. Evidently everybody elso had the same idea ; but, despite the crush, wo managed to see everything. The ends were reserved for jewellery stalls; one side was occupied by fancy-work, half of the other by school children’s fancy-work, and the other half by confectionery. Down the centre was a large table on which were line exhibits of butter, cheese, and cooking. The shower had stopped, so we elbowed our way out of tho building and into the Technical School tent. Here were several line ladders made by the school boys. We saw also some ironwork—horse shoos, hinges, cct.—which the pupils of the metalwork class had made.

We passed more side-shows and fruit stalls, and went in to see tho poultry. Some of the roosters wore very large and tho hens were all fine birds. There were hens, roosters, turkeys, pigeons and cats.

But my companion was tired, so we went into the W.C.T.U. Rest Tent. While there, we heard that there was soon to ho a grand parade of all. the prize animals in the show. So wo hurried on to the grandstand and managed to get a soat just as a procession of dogs was passing round the ring. But, so absorbed were we in the beautiful panorama suddenly oponen out in front of ns, that we took scarce any notice of the dogs. Wo were conscious that behind ns the grand old mountain towered majestically; while far away in front of us was Mount Ruapehu, in front of which were range upon range of bills, varying in colour according to distance, from light green to deep blue. Nearer, we could see several farmhouses surrounded by meadows. Nearer still, to our right, was the horsepaddock, a really wonderfully sight. It must have accommodated nearly three hundred horses 1 In front of us

was the show-ring, on which tho animals to take part in the parade were already getting into order. All around wore pretty drosses and gay crowds.

But the horses were already beginning. How pretty they looked! The parade seemed far too short —we so enjoyed it. “This is the most enjoyable show I have ever attended,” said my companion; “Though I have been at almost every show in New Zealand this year, at no other has tho management been so good.”

And, indeed, if we askod a steward about anything which we did not fully understand, he,would invariably oblige us by explaining very clearly the reason of anything on the grounds. Everything was so well managed, and every official seemed to know his duties so perfectly, that tho whole show went off without tho slightest hitch. “Amyas Leigh.” The weather, though not ideal for a show day, was all that could be expected from the prospects of the sunset the night before the Peoples’ Day. The first sight that attracts tho eye when about to ontor the showgrounds is the number of motor cars drawn up under the macro carpa trees, which afford them ghod shelter from the wind.

Once inside the show gate you glance to your right and there you see a number of tents, which are commonly known as “side shows.” At the door of each tent there is a man who stands upon a platform and lectures to his audience about tire wonderful feats that are done inside, which thoy may see if they only give him a shilling to enter. Hearing the hum of an engine in motion, ‘you make your way to where you think the sound originates, and there you

notice, printed above the head of the conductor, “The Lister Shearing Machines.” A man is giving an exhibition of the good qualities of his shearing, by shearing some sheep he has in a pen close by. Keeping straight ahead you arrive at the luncheon booth, but as your “inner man” is not tormenting you, you do not take much notice of it.

To your right, again, you see the Grandstand, which is evidently fully appreciated. The next tent you arrive at is that of Mr Newton King, where there is a 'great variety of seeds of almost every description. Noticing a number of people at the door of the tent in which the milking machine is situated you make your way towards the spot, and there you notice men and women putting their fingers in the cups which are made to fit tho teats of the cow to feel the amount of suction, and seeming to lie interested in the manner in which tho milk is drawn from the cow.

Moving your glance again to your right you see the “show circle,” in which the various entries are judged. This circle is surrounded by a fence the lower part of which is made of wire netting. Moving 'on a little further you notice the dairy cattle, which are said to bo of the finest quality ever yet shown in Taranaki. The sheep and horses, though only a few of the former were entered, were of a very high quality. The dog parade seemed to create a great deal of interest.

The ladies’ driving competition was also looked forward to, as was the horsos jumping, in which the horses were ridden by men.

The band is then heard to “strike up,” and it seems to take the place of tho chatter apd hustle of the crowd, which, before, was liable to give ono a acad-ache.

A little further on and you will have completed your circuit of the “show circle”; but before I complete my essay I must tell you of the booth in which' the cookery was on show. In the centre of tho room was a stage enclosed wifth wire-netting, to prevent anyone taking any of the dainty morsels. Up each side of the room about four feet from the outer wall was also fenced .with wire-notting; the lot in each of the various classes that carried off . the first prize being marked ’ with ticket.’ As it is now beginning to rain, you think of “Home. Sweet Home,” and make yoip- way as fast, as you possibly can (for by this time it is coming down in torrents) to the Stratford Station, there to take the train to your destination. And so ends the Stratford Show which, in the opinion of the public, was tho largest show yet seen in Taranaki, there being a record number of entries in the various classes, and also a record number of spectators.