STRATFORD’S SHOW-DAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 43, 22 February 1915, Page 3

STRATFORD’S SHOW-DAY.

(By C.H.E.K.) i There’s a spicy element of good luck even in a number, and its association with certain places not infrequently brings in its train satisfaction, pleasure” and profit to a large community. “Twenty shillings make a pound, the Twentieth makes the wheels go round!” When Old Sol blazoned forth in all his glory on Saturday, reflecting in Broadway the exquisite range of color in the dress of many of the fair sex, a stranger might have been inclined to enquire the reason for this well-dressed throng. Those who, like myself have no occasion to refer to the almanac for the day of the month iWhen our Show' day occurs, smile with those who do their best to make Stratford a hive of busy “payouts.” At any rate my farmer friends, for wlftnn I have the greatest respect, contribute not only their presence at least once a month, but see that their wives and families share in the enjoyment too. Said a farmer to me one day: “My Missus somehow always seems better tempered on cheque day, and as for the kiddies, they simply love to come to Stratford then! I reminded him that perhaps they all knew their way to the cowbail. “That they do right well, but they’re all dressed different then,” chuckled the farmer, who no doubt inwardly reflected that it is not holiday every day of the week. Quite incidentally a friend—not a farmer by the way—re. marked that “money was the root of all evil,” and my love for Old Ireland caused me to offer a friendly retort credited to a son of that land—“ Well let’s get at the very root!”

Xofc posing as a moralist, however, but content for the moment to make some digression, let me refer to the roo t—namely, the , land—from which springs so much of sweet prosperity and joyous contentment in and around our little -1 town.. * Praise—genuine, sincere, and unaffected —is not too common nowadays, so that those who farm the land should be credited with their quota,- for they directly ai)d indirectly contribute more than others to the common good of Stratford. Let those who question this but refer to their hank hook, and the noticeable regular monthly increase on a certain day will assuredly cause them to think kinder of the genus hoc who are sometimes cynically termed “cockeys,” hut wliom I like better to call farmers.

It is no secret among business folk in Broadway that they are pleased when the farmer and >his family come to town on this recurring Show-day—-the twentieth. Why, on Friday last I heard a man from very gladness of heart soulfully exclaim: “Eat, drink, and be merry for to-morrow—is the Twentieth!” * * * * On Saturday dt happened that I too, was taking my ease in lotus land, and privileged as I am to know the Taranaki farmer—know him in the cowbail as well as in the home—he’s not often in his drawing room, too true—l have no hesitation in stating that the support ho gives to this loyal little town is worth recording, since by his toil on the land he directly promotes our greater prosperity. Then, Hats-off to the Farmer! After all, the riches and prosperity of a country depend not on finance, but on the resources and cultivation of the land, and that essentially is the cause of New Zealand’s prosperity. Some factors assist a town’s advancement, and the continual support by surrounding farmers to our own town contributes towards a better understanding and more loyal patriotism, which is worthy of emulation. These lines indicate how much the farmer is appreciated, for even on the Twentieth be it fine or wet, the farmer does not fail to support us by his presence and bis purse.

That reminds me of the story of the circus clown who, feeling the pinch of poverty, was at last reluctantly compelled to exhibit his week-old baby. When he did so, the seething mass of onlookers in the circus ring not only cheered, but largely contributed that which is said to be the “root of all evil.” Ah, boys,” said he with a merry twinkle in his eye '‘that was the show that paid!” Now “there is pleasure, doubtless, in farming, but I venture to suggest that while we are pleased to see a good influx of happy well-dressed folk in Broadway on a, certain day at least once a month, it is because our recurring Show-day pays!