THE WINTER SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 324, 10 June 1911, Page 6

THE WINTER SHOW.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. A GOOD ATTENDANCE. The Winter Show, despite the unfavorable weather, attracted a good attendance throughout yesterday and also in the evening, when tlie Garrison Band attended and provided a nice programme of music. The takings so far have been much in advance of last year, and it is expected that tn-day, the last day, will draw a record crowd. All who have seen the show are unanimously of opinion that it is a remarkably good display and a distinct advance on last year, and the committee have been congratulated on all sides on the completeness of the arrangements and the exceptional merit of the various exhibits, which have been carefully criticised by all and sundry. As to-day is tho last occasion on which the show will be open this year, it is expected that the building will be crowded all day.

FARM SERVANTS' COMPETITION. There were only two entrants for Mr. E. May's special prize for the farm servant having the longest service with ono employer, one other presenting himself for the competition on Thursday, but the entries had closed. Mr. A. E. Xielson was first, with 14 years' employment by Mr. H. Trimble, and Mr. L. Davies second. having been employed for five vears with Mr. H. 0. Skelton. PHOTOGRAPHY. The photographic classes filled fairly well, but the effect suffered considerably from the location of the exhibit. One of the finest specimens of photography was "Dawn," a poetic study wliicli, when held in a good light, seemed to grow in detail, , producing just that effect which the ! poets have associated with dawn since it began. Another excellent series of pictures is a study of child life, easily the best in its class, the light and shade effects being excellently worked. A rural scene showing g»od feeling was spoiled in the working. The class tickets in this section of ' the show should be made adhesive, for it was quite impossible yesterday to identify the exhibits even by comparison with the catalogue. SCHOOL WORK. Mechanical drawing exhibits oame from several schools. In the class for geometrical drawing by competitors under 18 years the set shown by Miss L. Mills showed good form of tecknique in th 6 border of joined circles and straight lines. C. Day's development of arches and a cone penetrating a sloping roof was good, showing c'-cful work, but the tinting was weal;. The whole class was a distinct advance on anything previously exhibited in New Plymouth, and showed careful and solid work throughout. It was unfortunate that the architoclural and mechanical drawings, as applied to practical engin#cring and construction, should have had to compete with the ordinary geometrical drawing, but the latter has the important feature timt at least six problemi are worked on one sheet, making a severe test of neatness and method, Details of building construction were well shown in an exhibit by Master Gilbert, a pupil of the Technical College. The first prize map of New Zealand, by Master 11. J. Mackie, must be mentioned as an excellent piece of work, beating the second prize-taker in detail and in finish. The collection of school work drew exhibits from six schools, Ratapiko and Pukearuhe entering largely. The ] best work in the whole collection was | the pen and ink drawing of flowers in the second prize exhibit by the Central School. The mapping by West End was excellent, and cardboard modelling neat. Ratapiko sent in some good freehand drawing, and the writing was careful and even. Pukearuhe entered a large and varied cpllection, Master Harold Cartwright's freehand drawing being easily the best freehand drawing exhibited by the -schools, and the original design by Ina Waterson was also good. The Pukearuhe School sets a fine example to other schools in the matter of school competitions. The painting of birds from stuffed specimens, by Miss Sheila Hutton, was far above what is usually expected from a girl of fourteen years. Hand-writing from schools showed an improvement on last year's, the spacing between the letters being less exaggerated, the relative lengths of the letters above the line more regularly adhered to, and the "n's" and "m's" less cramped. Knotting and splicing by the West End School and the higlewood Cadets produced very fine exhibits. HONEY. There were three competitors in tha honey classes, Mr. F. W. Sandford, of New Plymouth, taking firsts, as usual, for honey in comb, and Mr. 0. J. Hcrrick, of Sentry Hill, for extracted honey. Both made extensive exhibits in the class for the most attractive display of honey and other products of the apiary. Mr. Hcrrick was first, a very fine observation hive of ligurian bees capping the exhibits. Then came honey in the frames, granulated honey, and the honey as extracted, all very attractively shown in bottles. Mr. Herrick has gone, in for bee-keeping on a large scale, and his success should lead to this very profitable side-line of -tile farm being more largely taken up amongst the farmers of the district. ' Mr. Sandford's exhibit contrasted the old methods of bee-keeping with the modern style, as insisted upon by the Government Apiary Division. The abandoned straw 4 sleep'' is show full of comb, and there are some splendid sections of honey in >the frame, queen comb, worker comb, and drone comb, the bee moth at work, and wax and wax candles. Altogether this is a very fine honey exhibit. STACK COVERINGS, ETC.

When the Society offered prizes for the best practical exhibits of some covering for hay or straw ricks, to be shown in aotual miniature form, the idea was that the old style of covering, of rushes or straw, was becoming almost impossible and nearly as expensive as the modern roof coverings. The judges expected to find samples of roofing of galvanised iroil, malthoid, or something of thai kind. But at the time of judging only the old rick coverings of rushes were exhibited, one of these being very well done, and the other spoiled by the ties being so placed as to allow 'the rain to gain an entrance to the stack. Later, Mr. F. W. [ Sand ford showed a model in which the

roofing material was of galvanised iron, the roof being simply constructed in sections, which could be removed as the liny was gradually consumed. Provision was made for bars to strengthen the structure and for bracing the stack against the weather. The timber used would be inexpensive, and one great advantage lay in tlie fact that the same roof could be used year after year for perhaps twenty years. Messrs. Sandford and Heatley were the only competitors in the class for the best practical model of a silo. The object aimed at was to have a silo that could be filled and emptied with a minimum of labor. The front is built in sections for this purpose, this sido being built u-p as the silo is filled. Angle pieces are inserted across the corners to do away with the usual objection to a square silo that there is a dead air space in the corners, causing a deterioration of tho ensilage. This also has the effect of protecting the timbers at the joints where deterioration from damp first takes place.

NOTES. Messrs Burgess, Fraser and Co. are making a special display of New Gem tea, which is shown in bulk and in packets, whilst samples of it are given away to all and sundry. There are also on view specimens of the leaf from which this tea is blended. In yesterday's issue this display was inadvertently credited to Mr. Allen Veale's stall.

Special mention deserves to be made of the three collections of pot plants, which are unusually good for this time of the year.

The teclmical school cookery classes came as a surprise to many, the quality and variety elicitng general admiration, which must have been gratifying to the instructress, Miss Mac Donald, could she have heard it. The work of the technical school woodwork and farm agricultural classes under Mik F. W. Sandford is well worth 1 close inspection by every farmer, and these classes should be assisted in every way possible. How many of our fanners would give a good round sum to be able to do odd ironwork jobs about the farm, to make good and presentable gates, etc., instead of having to put up with the miserable makeshifts to be seen on many farms? A bittern, or "eye-pecker," captured yesterday morning, has been placed on exhibition in the produce room at the showMr. J. R. Hill has had charge of the sale of the huge cakes which have been liberally sprinkled with coins, and ho has done excellent business. His "gag" is amusing, and his methods successful. The blocks of cake, oftwi surreptitiously opened by tho purchasers immcdin ely afterwards, are found to contain halfcrowds, florins, shillings and silver coins | of a lesser denomination. Amongst othc» working exhibits are milking machines, wood-turning lathe, printing machine, and boot-making machinery. AUCTION SALE OF PRODUCE. There will be an auction sale of produoe, cookery, etc., at the show to-night, commencing at about 8 ©'cloak. The proceeds will go to the funds of the society. ,

SWEBT SCONES. Rsb two tablespoonfuls of butter finely into one pound of sifted flour, add one tablespoonful of sugar, a quarter of a teaspoon-fill of salt, one teaspoonful of carbonate of soda, and two teaspoonfula of cream of tartar. Beat up one egg, put half of it into a cup, with some sweet, milk, then add to the other ingredients, making a soft dough. Knead it a little on a floured baking-board, divide it into five pieces; make them smooth and roll out, not too thinly; cut them into four small cakes. Lay them on a greased baking-tin, brush them over with egg and bako tliem in a hot oven for ten minutes. Two ounces of sultanas, raisins or eurrante may be added. The dough should always be handled lightly. These scones will be appreciated by afternoon callers. Serve "Elephant" blend tea, and your visitors will be delighted. The tea has a flavor all its own, and is distinct from every other tea you have ever tasted. "Elephant" Blend brews a rich strong liquor and the texture being fine it mixes well with the milk. "Elephant" brand is sold at 2s 2d per lb, and your grocer is sure to have it.

No nocd any more to bo ill, Because there's a wonderful pill, ETer-growiiifj' in fame, Laio-Tonie its nauc, The summit of medical slcill. LAXO-TONIO PILLS. Price, 10.</ 2 d and la 6d. Obtainable at Bullock and Johnston's.