AUCKLAND’S BIG SHOW

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 519, 23 November 1928, Page 1

AUCKLAND’S BIG SHOW

Large Attendance for First Day of Jubilee Exhibition

SPECTACULAR DISPLAY AT EPSOM

OPENED under the most auspicious circumstances this morning, the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Jubilee Show already gives promise of setting new standards. The value of the happy combination of town and country has never been more forcibly demonstrated than this year, the result being a comprehensive exhibition and display calculated to attract and maintain the interest of all classes of the community.

At Campbell Park. Epsom, many innovations have been introduced this year with a view to building- up the spectacular side of the show. Chief -mong these are the centralising of all competitions in tlie main arena and the introduction of highly attractive events such as wild steer riding, wood-chop-ping contests and military competitions. This, of course, in addition to the hunting events which in ' past years have been such a popular feature of the Auckland Show. A very reliable index to the big advances made by the Auckland Province in all primary and secondary industries is the big improvement shown by the show during late years. To the show of 1878 is a far cry, but since that year, when the Auckland Show first took its place among the leading exhibitions of the Dominion, it has remained a reliable barometer of the potentialities of the vast and fertile district it represents. With the weather gloriously fine, it was not surprising that, there was quite a large attendance of country visitors when the judging commenced at ten o’clock. As the day advanced the numbers were considerably added to and, early this afternoon, there was an attendance well in advance of previous years. Given fine weather to-morrow a record crowd should mark the jubilee exhibition. Trade exhibits are again well represented, and a much wider range of sideshows in “Chocolate Alley’’ also adds to the variety of the big show. THE MILK PRODUCERS Entries in the dairy sections were drawn from the best known breeders in the province, several of the winners at the recent Royal Show coming forward. Jerseys made up the strongest section and comprised one of the best showings of this breed exhibited in New Zealand. Entries -were drawn from all (•arts of the province anc] included several of last year’s prize winners. Interest was added to the section by the inclusion of A. E. Watkin’s and Moreland and Son’s recent importations.

These animals were the centre of interest throughout the day and attracted much speculation as to the allocation of the championship. Although entries in the Friesians were confined to less than a dozen breeders the quality of the animals, generally, was high, testifying no uncertain manner to the heavy producing characteristics of the breed. The Shorthorn class included the winner of the mature cow class at the Royal Show. Although not large, the section included several high quality cattle. The Ayrshire breed was not strongly represented, but the exhibits were sufficient to show that the breed is not being neglected in this part of the province. SELECT SHEEP CLASSES A comparatively small, but very select, entry of sheep came forward. Romneys predominated and included some of the winners at the Palmerston North Royal Show. Waikato breeders were represented and took several of the winning tickets. The desire of the farmer to cater for the requirements of the overseas buyers was indicated in the pig classes, where the entry of Large Whites was particularly commendable. The entries of pigs, generally, were of a high standard. HORSE ENTRIES GOOD A satisfactory feature of this year’s show is the fact that increased entries have been received in the horse section. In some instances, particularly the breeding classes, a slight falling off has been registered, but a compensating factor is the high standard of the entries sent in. In this class animals were exhibited that would have taken awards at any show. Competition in the light horse section is very keen. In the hunting section particularly, healthy rivalry is being evinced in all classes, and judging by the work done in jumping classes, excellent sport is promised for the more important hunting events to be held to-morrow.