FIRST DAY’S VIEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 98, 1 December 1915, Page 5

FIRST DAY’S VIEWS.

AMONG THE EXHIBITS. At noon to-day the Stratord Show Grounds presented a lively appearance. The public had rolled up in good numbers, judging was proceeding in the ring, and the side-showmen were beginning to gather their scattered thoughts and rub up. their vocabulary. The weather by this time gave projinise of holding fair for the day. |Clouds had gathered rapidly at intervals,- but were dispersed by the wind. One small shower fell during the forenoon, but overcoats were donned only to be discarded, and the various duties of the judges and officials were hardly inconvenienced. The great luck which lias attended the Association in the matter of meteorological conditions in the past—there has not yet been a wet Peoples’ Day—is having a wonderful buoyant effect, especially in official circles, and a cheery optimism prevades the secretarial sanctum, where Mr A. D. Stanley—(the hard-worked secretary), his first lieutenant (Mr Sid. Ward), and a host of assistants—greet all and sundry enquirers with their usual courtesy and attention. The arrangements throughout were excellent, reflecting infinite credit upon the Association.. The catering arrangements are in the hands of Dustin, Ltd., the staff of which have made an enticing show on the tables in the luncheon rooms. The fare provided is equal to the iirm’Si best style, and patropsmay rely .upon obtaining a very satisfactory luncheon.

The Stratford- Hotel has a licensed booth at the hack of. the’grandstand, under the personal supervision of Mr Fred Whittle, which i, s sufficient guarajntee of supplies' in plenty of innumerable concoctions known among convivial spirits as. "a-spot.” •The “Globe of Death”, is a weirdlooking affair. Operations were in full swing as the afternoon wore on, but when the pressman blew into the tent, there was a beggarly array of empty benches, as the disappointed showman expresses his growl, and within the “Globe” lay two ordinary pushbikes, the foreruune(;s of the sensational event and the playthings of the daring cyclist who tempts Death several times a day. This is no ordinary. ‘side”, showy but- one that'will command big audiences, wherever shown. ii : f C / l

Tam ho, the Reptile King, who has a tent in front of the Dairy Produce shed, has a fascinating show to (‘spfidk’ ’ for. The crowd gathered often on the scene, hut melted away I inside) before the channel ’s seductive description of the strange animals and things which lie plays with.

Tickets on the McHardy art onion were on sale to-day. and may also he purchased to-morrow. Two wounded soldiers are conducting the sale of those tickets. MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC. The President (Mr* It. Mastersy addresses the following message to the public: “T feel it an honor to occupy the high position of president of the Asociation on this, the sixth Show since its inception I cannot say how pleased T am with the splendid exhibition we have been able to produce. Tlie number of entries are, as was to he expected in these abnormal times, not quite equal to last year’s list, but, then, in 191-1, we had a record Show, and when 1 say that the quality js easily up to that occasion, you will see what a high standard we have been able to maintain. This refers also to the competitions which are the soecial attraction lor those not intimate!.' engaged in farming pursuits. Some of the cleverest performers at previous shows down the line are here to-day. you may look forward on People s Day to an interesting and enjoyable spectacle. The Grand Parade, it may be taken for granted, will he equal to any other of its kind provided hy the Association. The side-shows are also keeping up their end of the credit due to the Show for up-to-dateness lu tins important side-line of agricultural and pastoral exhibitions. Our Show today compares more than i a vora hi,' with any other in the Dominion, and holds no second place to either Palmerston North, Wanganui, nr Hawera, (all this, it will he readily admitted, has not been done without very great ! exertion on the part of the officials of the. Association, and I desire to place l on record my appreciation of their efforts where all worked so willingly J and with a minimum of 1 notion, it I would he invidious to particularise. 1 heave my appeal at this stage, feeling ( sure that such ungrudging efforts for the sake of the province and the district will not go unrewarded to-mor-row. a s without a continuance of that full measure of support which lias been accorded the Association in the past, Stratford will lag behind, and suffer, in the race for pride of place, to which, as a district, we all fool she is entitled."