BIG CROWD GOES TO EPSOM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 910, 1 March 1930, Page 1

BIG CROWD GOES TO EPSOM

JN the bright sunshine guttering axe-blades rose and fell sending out chips each almost big enough to cook a th^dis^rni^ leek ' Sld p ed beaSts dis P la yed their bulk before er ?i n £ eyes of critical men of the land; fat sheep o^rpll^ n t = h Hi^ 0 H 0n ' day J heat ’ alld stalwart young- men, with hastll y. dra f ?ed on over their Sunday best, rode, or ringside Tlde wdd steers for the entertainment of a crowded It was People’s *Day at the Auckland Show, and in variety nothing was lacking.

r People’s Day at the Auckland feetropolitan Show Is always a happy sombination of town and country. This It proved to bo today, and, also, a happy culmination of a very successful three-days* fixture. Country people were in attendance at in early hour, probably in order to allow themselves a leisured survey >f the stock pens before the fun of the .air proper commenced. Shortly after unch the crowd had been considerably augmented by a large contingent of ownspeople and as the day wore on \ crowd of very considerable propor10ns had gathered. In the morning the ,row d was well scattered among the lumerous attractions that the well-aid-out ground had to offer, but the ifternoon saw the main ring the centre >f attractions. Here was staged such nteresting events as the finals of the wood-chopping contests in which burly ixemen from the bush districts, standng row upon row, cut their way with powerful, clean strokes through 12 and 14-inch logs in much less time ;han the average city dweller could :ut the morning kindling. Here also were staged the hunting events, a icpular section with the city folk who nowadays so rarely have the privilege »t witnessing this noble and interesting sport. A well-bfed animal cleanly laking his fence is a sight dear to nost New Zealanders, and the hearty ounds oC applause that greeted the iders this afternoon was striking tesimony of the popularity of the sport. At two o’clock the crowd was presented with a review of the whole ■‘how in concentrated form when the Llrand Parade was held. All the prizewinners were marshalled in the ring, iround which they paraded. Massive Friesians, their black and white coats standing out prominently in the bright sunshine, sleek, mild-eyed Jerseys, big hairyhoofed Clydesdales, prancing hacks and mincing ponies, they were truly a very creditable representation of the show and also of the Auckland Province. Also adding to iho general show atnosphere was fin© group of rado exhibits. This was much larger than in previous years, the showing of farm machinery, in particular, being •>f much greater importance than has been the case for many years past. This section generally undoubtedly added much greater interest to the fixture. Yesterday’s gate takings amounted io £123 10s, nearly double the previous day’s receipts, and with the large attendance present today high hopes were held out by the officials for a •ecord show.

There was the "spruiker” who, somewhat unmindful of changes in current history, described his youthful find as “direct from one of the largest circuses of the Russian Empire. There was also a beautiful young maiden whose execution the public was invited to attend, a monkey of more than human intelligence, and strong men and wrestlers who would guarantee to knock out or throw any member of the audience in a given time, an invitation that was not enthusiastically taken up. There were circuses complete with all the world’s greatest marvels, which, fortuitously, never seem to clash with the world’s greatest marvels next door, performing animals, and all the variety that show tents can offer. Staged in a city theatre, perhaps, they would not attract as big a following. But the standard of city entertainments is not the standard of a bustling showground and, after all, -what does it matter as long as it all contributes in some part to the fun of the fair. ROUGH-RIDING RODEO Riding a bucking steer round a showring is not the easiest pastime in the world. That is the opinion one forms after seeing various young men painfully pick themselves up from the ground and limp to the safety of the ring-side fence. Some got on, or what is more to the point, got off better than others. “Not so good.” muttered a youth who was tossed within a few yards of the ( entrance. Some of his more fortunate associates managed to ride their mounts into submission before slipping sideways off their beast in the centre of the ring, to receive the hearty plaudits of the vast crowd. Of course, there were steers of varying spirit, and some, after exhibiting a little mild resentment, trotted off tamely enough round the ring with their riders sportingly endeavouring to bestir them into further action. But there were also some really spirited animals, some of them very well ridden, and these provided excellent entertainment. Altogether it was very spectacular and naturally very popular with the crowd which dearly loves a laugh—at someone else.