STRATFORD’S 1913 SHOW.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 71, 14 March 1914, Page 2

STRATFORD’S 1913 SHOW.

THE FIRST TWO ESSAYS. In the competition under the auspices of th 6 A. and P. Association, the essayists doing their work under the eye of their school teacher, Inspector Whetter, of the Taranaki Education Board, awarded pride of place to ‘'Periwinkle,” Doreen Hammond. This reads as follows : Doreen Hammond. Situated near the centre of the Taranaki district, is the prosperous little town of Stratford. Some three or four years,ago it was decided that a show should be held at Stratford, and the principal men of that town have spent their patience and time in trying to make these shows a success.

Let me tell you the story of the Stratford Show of 1913. u> Some time before we had arranged that we should go to the Show. Wearily the days dragged by, till at last the long-ex-pected day arrived'. After our lunches were packed, and we were all attired in our very smartest clothes, w« started on our journey, and, although very few people had gone before us, we were so excited that we hurried for fear we should be Jate.

On arriving at Stratford w« were greatly astonished to see how busy everywhere was. We could scarcely walk along, the street for the dense crowd; motor cars, cabs, buggies, gigs, and riders filled the roads, all wending their way to the showgrounds, which are some distance out of the town.

When we arrived-.at--the grounds, we had to pay sixpence and get. a ticket, which had to be given to the gatekeeper. We did not know where to go first, but we decided to have a look at the dogs, so we went into the huge teiit where they were all assembled. As they were barking and. yelling and making'an awful noise, which was not very pleasant, we thought we would go out. However, we went out the opposite door to the on© by which we had entered, and just by the opening I saw the dog that I had once owned. He had won three prizes and must have been very proud of himself, for he was barking as loud as he possibly could, and trying to make himself heard, even above the' noise and barking of the other dogs, 5 , We next entered the cooking department, where all the. cakes, butter, preserves and puddings, 'were arranged. After having a good, look round everything in here, w.e went to the poultry tents. Here we ; were greeted by the loud'crowing or a big rooster, who was thinking he. was-king of all. He eyed lis suspiciously as we entered,but when we approached him to see who he might belong to, he quickly retreated. ; We went round' having a. look at everything, and were highly amused at seeing a big white hen with a tiny little egg in her pen.. We went from her© to the cattle pens, where the Jerseys, Holsteins, Ayrshires, and Shorthorns were all arrayed. They were all beautiful and glossy, and indeed their owners must have taken much time and trouble over them. We were soon arrested by the familiar yet peculiar squeal of the pigs, and on going to have a look at these animals, we were astonished at the numbers and sizes of them. By this time, however, the judging of th© horses had begun. The ring looked really animated. Inside, the judges were trying to find out which horses really deserved the prizes, while outside the competitors were exercising their exhibits so that they would not be at all “stiff” when their turn came. ,

Very soon the dog parade began In some ease? there was a little girl leading a big dog twice her own size, while in other cases there would be a big tall man, perhaps six foot high, 'leading a tiny little dog only seven or eight inches. I ■

Next was the grand parade. In this parade every animal that had won first, second, or third prize had to he taken round the ring. When this was over jumping was continued. There was one fall, but luckily nobody was hurt by iti The horse was a little lame, hut he will soon get over that. The show at last ended. The people, well satisfied, began to move towards the gates on their way homewards. The farmers had gone home before this, and, although they had not seen right to the finish, they were well satisfied.

Let us hope that the Stratford show will always bo a success; and add one day of enjoyment to the life of those we do not very often go to shows and picnics and such sports.

The next in order of merit was “Pickwick,” C. McAllister, whose contribution was as follows :

C. McAlister.-

Perhaps, to the inhabitants of Stratford and the surrounding country, the greatest and most ■ important event is that of the “Stratford Agricultural and Pastoral Association Show.”

The highest anticipations are entertained when the day of this annual treat approaches, and everybody gets prepared. The first day men were taking up horses and cattle, and all day carts were going up full and coming down empty, while motor-cars carried up whatever people there wore who wished to go up to the grounds." When they got there fhey found judges busy and men putting up tents and machinery.

Men wore feeding and grooming horses and cattle, while many were putting them into stalls and pens. Early in the morning people wore 'moving up and dorvn the streets, and any casual bystander or stranger would have guessed that there was something special about to happen

by seeing the look of expectation that was clearly shown on each face. After the mail train had come in this small number rapidly increased, and when nine o’clock was reached quite a procession of people and vehicles lined the main street, while the showgrounds were becoming dotted with people and judges were still at work.

At ten o’clock the country people and farmers are coming in fast, and the side-shows and cheap-jacks begin to do somo business, while the air is soon resounding, with bauds and the Voices of proprietors advertising their shows and amusements.

Let us take a trip oyer the groithds together. Near the gate are some admirably placed trees and seats where lunch baskets and other impedimenta can be placed away safely. Now we see the horse and cart enclosures, which are now becoming well occupied. The dog tent is. one of the first of its kind to be seen. Inside are beautiful collies, spaniels, terriers, and other pets, among the more' useful being the greyhounds, setters, bulldogs, sheep dogs, etc. Further on is the dairy produce building containing exhibits in butter, cheese, bacon, cakes, needlework, carving, painting, jewellery, and others. On the northern'side of this are numerous side shows and cheap jacks, but these extend right down to the second grandstand, which is the *hext item of interest.

This stand shelters a lolly shop, and the exhibit of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Hero is a shod for the accommodation of horses, while further along are the sheep pens and cattle exhibits. Behind the latter are the pigs. Many of the cattle are ‘exceedingly fine animals, the chief breeds being the Holstein* arid Jersey/ The next attraction is the grandstand, which has already seated many people who have come there to see the horse-jumping. Behind this is the stewards’ luncheon room and the publicans’ booth.

Then we come to exhibits of gigs and sack-presses, arid refreshment rooms. At two o’clock the crowd has gathered round the ring to see the parade, which is the greatest event in the day. Dogs, horses, cattle and vehicles go slowly round the ring two or three times and are then led out. After this the people move about again, some going into side shows, others that have to milk cows returning home. At five o’clock the crowd begins to disperse, and once more the motor ears, vehicles, and people crowd the road, the people with a satisfied expression on their faces. » •

Half-an-hour* later the only people on the ground are the exhibitors removing all their valuable goods.