Our Fourth Show.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 81, 5 December 1913, Page 5

Our Fourth Show.

A COMPLETE SUCCESS.

BIG CROWD: FINE WEATHER,. Stratford’s' fourth agricultural ami pastoral show was brought to a conclusion yesterday; and it would prooably be hard to find, even among the unsuccessful competitors, any person connected wuh the show who harbors in his remembrance even a partially unfavorable impression of the btratford Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s fourth annual effort. Indeed, one never ceases to marvel, in view of the complete arrangements and, the excellent entries, that the Association has only been in existence 101 four years. Yesterday the intricate machinery essential to the proper working of the show operated without a hitch and to say that is to say a good deal.

After the rain on Wednesday afternoon the weather continued very unsettled and on several occasions looked as if it would settle down in a rough and wet quarter. But the fates were propitious, and the weather for the second day was all that could be desired. There were those who in the middle of the morning predicted: “It must rain this afternoon —it is too hot now.” And indeed, early in the afternoon there were indications of the uncomfortable prediction being fulfilled —a heavy rain cloud gathered in the north and later shifted to the east, but it was blown away somewhere—somewhere, it may be hoped, where it would be more welcome than in Stratford.

It is hard to estimate the number of a crowd, and in the case of the show there is no absolutely correct record of the number of people who go on the ground • but a pretty general opinion is that the crowd numbered somewhere in tlie vicinity of ten thousand—at any rate, that it was some thousands over last year’s. Around the ring, by the side-shows, and in the stands there were solid masses of humanity, and in the vicinity of the cattle pens and the various tents there were large groups.

The parade of prize-winning stock was a highly creditable affair. The cattle and horses themselves were a fine lot, and the operations were carried out in a manner which reflected the greatest credit on the marshal, Mr A. Stewart.

The ring events during the day were of a highly interesting nature, some line horseflesh taking part.

Without doubt the great success of the show depended to a great extent on the secretary. There were, :t is unnecessary to state, innumerable indefatigable workers, and they made strenuous efforts on behalf of the Association ; but at some time or other the secretary had some hand in every activity of the whole of the workers. Mr W. B. Fearon made an ideal head of the secretarial staff, and he was ably assisted by Messrs S. Ward and JFearon. In the secretary’s office there was no friction and no confusion. On both days a composite hand, containing members of the Kith ain ami Stratford bands, capably rendered a number of excellent selections under the conductorship of Mr T. Marshall. JOTTINGS. Mr R. 1). Knight, Longhurn, the judge of the draught horses, made the following remarks: Classes 6 and 34; A good entry and a good class. 36: A fair class. 40: A good class. 43; A. fair class. 47: A nice lot. 48: A useful lot. 52: A good fair class. 53: The best class in the section. Several of the entries were good enough to compete in similar classes in any part of the country. 52: A credit to the ( exhibitor. 55 : Extra good. Animals | compared favorably with those at other j shows.

Mr G. H. Saunders, New Plymouth, •eceived first prize for the best crate of dogs in the,show. Some of the choicest dairy stuff came from the Ngaere district, Mr Joseph Thomas being to the fore with four '•ows and seven heifers. The weight-guessing competition proved a popular feature, the takings amounting to £sl 7s. The Sheaf Tossing Competition, one of the novelties introduced by the committee, attracted a lot of* attention. The winner was R. J. Scott, of Whangamomona.

There are 19 enries for class A in the prize essay section. This class is open to all pupils in the Taranaki clip trict, whose average attendance is 250 or over. In class B there are twelve entries. Essays in both classes must be handed in to the secretary on or before 20th inst. , The Society took £3O for side shows. The grounds committee express the liopo that as many boys as possible who are looking for a good time on Saturday afternoon will roll up to the show ground and assist in clearing it of litter in the shape of papers, etc. There will be enough refreshments and ginger pop to satisfy all the boys who care to go—and that is a big order. The executive of the A. and P. Association express much gratitude to the officials of the Railway Department for the prompt manner in which they got exhibits away. The protest against Mr J. C. Montiflore, of Hawera, for alleged removal of his exhibit in the milk-test comipetition was thrown out. Mr Watkin, who lodged the protest, said he did so to call attention to the conditions [governing his class. He has donated [the £1 protest money to the Association next y»ar.