"THE BEST EVER”

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 888, 4 February 1930, Page 10

"THE BEST EVER”

METROPOLITAN SHOW SECRETARY'S OPTIMISM The Auckland Metropolitan Show, ■which will be held at the Epsom Showgrounds on February 27, 2S and March 1, will be the most successful since its inception. This confident statement was made by Mr. W. F. O'Donnell, managingsecretary of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association, to a Sun man this morning. The reason for Mr. O’Donnell's 1 optimism is that the last 75 shows have been held in November, while this year the date has been put back j until the autumn. In the past the j show has been held when the farmers ‘ were experiencing their busy times and were unable to give the show their whole-hearted support. The change of date has changed these conditions for the better. In every district there is promise of increase in the number of exhibitors and the number of spectators, inquiries having been received from ail over the North Island. Another important change in connection with the show is the lay-out, the committee having made extensive alterations to permit greater freedom for the public. The original large ring has been reduced in size by nearly half and the lower half has been roaded to make provision for exhibits of agricultural machinery, cars and tractors. The reduction in the size of the ring will afford a much better view of the competitions. The ring itself has been considerably altered and the committee has made arrangements for handling the big programme as expeditiously as possible, the hurdles and fences being erected in such a way that they can he readily removed to suit the varying programme. The amount of space available for business firms has been increased about 100 per cent, and the whole has been booked up by prominent business firms in the city, who have found the change in date very suitable to them. The whole of the side-show allocation has been filled and a new street is being made for their benefit. The space for the home industries section has been practically trebled to make provision for the addition of roots, fruits and vegetables, poultry, pigeons and rabbits. The children’s, events have received particular attention, practically a whole day being devoted to them. Entries for the stock sections are coming well forward and are much better thau usual. The North Island championships have been awarded to the show for the first time by the North Island Agricultural and Pastoral Conference. These have attracted the attention of breeders throughout the island and it appears that exhibits will be on a very extensive scale. With such progressive changes there should be no doubt whatever that the 1930 show will be a record in every way.