THE WINTER SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 367, 19 April 1910, Page 8

THE WINTER SHOW.

DISCUSSION. VIGOROUS ADVICE. At last night's meeting of the Agricultural Society tlie president reported that, acting upon the recommnulation of last annua! mooting, the committee had decided to hold a winter show in June next. Since the. recent very destructive gale some members of the Society had conic to hi.ni with very long faces', and suggested that, as much of the fruit crops had been destroyed, the Show should- not \w hold this'year. Personally, he thought the show' should be gone on with, but, of, course, it was in the hands of the mooting, lie submitted the committee's estimate of expenditure of £249. The committee estimated receipts at £:!40, inciuding an estimate of JJ2OO from the, "gates." THE WORKERS SPEAK. Mr. A. W. Wood said that without plenty of working exhibits' the show would bo very uninteresting. Vlr. H. Okey. M.P.. said that there had ibeen previous winter shows here, 'but they had not been very successful. Mr Auilmry: That was a long time ago. Mr. Okey did not consider it wise to g'o on with the show, for the fruit was spoiled and the turnip crops no good. He didn't believe that there were going to 'be -1000 people there, either. He thought the show business was being overdone, especially now that the Stratford people had decided to go on with one. IK believed it would be in the interests of agricultural shows in Taranaki if some stops were taken to hold alternate winter and spring shows under the auspices of the Stratford and Ta,ranaki societies.

In answer to a protest from Mr. Govett that the committee should have brought down a recommendation, Mr. Smith said that the committee was confident that the show could be run and brought to a, successful issue. Mr. Anvbury said that was so. At least, the finance committee thought so. so long as they had the hearty co-opera-tion of the whole of the general committee. Some members of it, however, were not taking very active interest. He believed that the attendance would easily touch 4000, particularly as there would 'be excursion trains, and amongst the attractions would be school competitions. At any rate, the estimates allowed a margin of £9O, and the estimates of expenditure were on the high side. With regard to Mr. Okey's suggestion, he remarked: STRATFORD IS SAFE. "We needn't wait for Stratford. Stratford wiil run its show, and will mind their own business—.perha.ps ours as well. Stratford has many advantages, amongst which must be numbered some zealous, hardworking citizens. They already .have 400 members." Mr. Govett thought that the committee, in holding a four-days' show, was riding for a fall.

Mr. J. 11. Hill considered the committee over sanguine in regard to attendance, for the Taranaki people seemed to be making Palmerston show their winter holiday. A VIGOROUS ADVOCATE.

Mr. E. Marl'ell, after expressing his)' pride at having been for thirty years a member, said he was a bit of an outsider now, and so saw most of the game,- perhaps. "Gentlemen," he said, "I'm ashamed of the whole lot of you. You've announced that you are going to hold a winter show. It has. been spoken of in the Press, and some settlers have gone so far as to prepare for the show. But the majority of members are not backing up the committee in charge or backing up their president, cither. W'.liy, you're as dead as stagnant water. Let me tell you this: If you don't hold the show it will be taken out of your hands. If it is not held this year, the s'how of Taranaki in the future will not be held at New Plymouth." He agreed that Taranaki did not want three agricultural socities. One would !>e better than three. Referring to the Stratford A. and P. Association, he said there was no doubt of the interest taken now. The first year would, be a success, of course, but after that.. —Well, he hoped it would. But unless the Taranaki Society's members showed more active interest and worked up : ■both summer and winter shows, they| must go back. He was glad to see the, president sticking to it. Concluding, he thought four days too big an order. j Mr. Am bury said a four days' show! would cost very little more than twoj days'. I

Letters were read from Mr. G. V. Tate (Waitara) stating that there should <be good entries of root crops this year. Mr. Jas. Burgess (Warea) thought there would be very few exhibits from that district. WORK WANTED. I

Mr. Wood again contended for working exhibits, without which the shovy could not succeed.

Mr. Ambury said that if the members of the committee put their shoulders to the wheel these working exhibits could easily be secured. Mr. W. D. Webster felt sure that when, the time came the committee ■would 'be found working shoulder to shoulder, and making the show a success.

'Mr. 11. Joll couldn't see any reason for ''crying cocktail." Even if there wa a shortage of "spuds and turnips" the ought to -be able to make it up in pump kins and pie melons. He promised hi support. He recommended, that th four days' show ibe reduced to three. TOWXiSPKOPLK DON'T CARE;

■Mr. Harold Street thought the suciet should go ,-ihfe;«(( with the show, but re grettcd the lae.k of interest shown by the townspeople, to whose benefit thes'e fixtures always resulted. He moved, and Mr. A. VT. Wood seconded, "that the winter show be dropped." Mr. Stanley Smith contested the motion, saying that so far only the esti ] mated attendance had 'been attacked.) lie .believed that the show would be

success' if the menihers worked together.'

Mr. Govett moved as an amend-' ment, and Mr. W. D. Webster seconded, that the show be held, providing it lasts only two days. lie explained that he was not lied ■•■> -.wol days, but moved this anion.'' a;-,:!, with' a view of getting the s!" , iield, which' he thought would liar'; result from a direct vote, "Yes"' or "So.' The amendment was carried by 2"> votes to five. Mr. Marfell moved a further amendment that the number of days' be left to the committee, and this was carried.

An important report was road by the president, and will be fui'ly .published to-morrow.