AUCKLANDERS VISIT SYDNEY’S ROYAL SHOW

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 337, 24 April 1928, Page 1

AUCKLANDERS VISIT SYDNEY’S ROYAL SHOW

AUSTRALIA WANTS NEW ZEALAND TO EXHIBIT STOCK ‘‘During the whole nine days there was not a slip in the plans for keeping the public amused. It was wonderful.” That was the opinion expressed by Mr. W. F. O’Donnell, secretary of the Auckland A. and P. Association, and Mr. John Findlay, secretary of the Auckland Manufacturers’ Association, who returned this morning by the Marama from a visit to the Sydney Royal Show. Both men were enthusiastic about the way the show was controlled and about the wonderful treatment they received from officials during their stay in Sydney. They made the trip in order to obtain information which might be of use at the Auckland Winter Show, and both Mr. O’Donnell and Mr. Findlay state that they have learned a good deal. It was the ringside and the ring attractions which appealed most to the two Aucklanders. “People stood at the ring- side until after dark without food, watching the various displays,” they said. Mr. Findlay remarked that there seemed to be the most wonderful cooperation between the townspeople, the railways and the Royal Show authorities. During the time the show was in progress, although it was Easter, the Railway Department ran excursion fares only from the country to the town. Townspeople could not get concession rates £rom the town to the country.

Speaking of the stock he saw, Mr. O’Donnell said that the Shorthorns, Ayrshires and the Guernseys were outstandingly good, but the Jerseys and the Friesians did not come up to the New Zealand standard. Later, a visit was paid to the Hawkesbury College, where the Aucklanders found that although the milking qualities of the cattle had been developed the3 r were not such a good type as those to be seen on New Zealand farms. A big feature of the Royal Show was the jumping, particularly the high jump. Some of the competitions went on until 10.15 o’clock at night, and even at that time crowds flocked round the ring. The officials of the Royal Show, from the president downwards, treated us excellently, and gave us every opportunity' to see everything ” said Mr. O’Donnell. “They said that they did not pretend to be.the nest in the world, and they were prepared to tell anyone everything they knew about conducting shows.” “The Australians want New Zealand breeders to exhibit in Australia,” he continued, “and I consider that the time is approaching when we should exhibit there. Some of the Australians cannot understand our attitude. They feel that we do not support them enough, and yet they admit that they do not come over to New Zealand.” Of Sydney itself, Mr. Findlay said that great progress is being made with the underground railway and the harbour bridge. Sydney is pulled down at present, and the most amazing building activity is apparent. Everywhere they went the Aucklanders found that the greatest optimism prevailed, and they saw no signs of labour trouble. “The trip was worth while—we wouldn’t have missed iz for anything,” thev both said.