OUR SHOW RECORD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 133, 27 November 1911, Page 3

OUR SHOW RECORD

OVKU 2(1)1(1 ENTRIES. "What do you think of the entries?" I'.'.eryhody knew what entries were referred to. for tlie subject lias been on nearly everyone's tongue nil day. When a Stratford, man says "entries," -or show," y.rn know lie's talking about the Stratford A. & P. Association's Show and the record entries received. Over 2000 of them—what a tribute to organisation!' And what local patriotism! New Plymouth's record entry of eleven hundred must hide its head beside this wonderful achievement of an association which hasn't celebrated its second birthday yet. And Egmonti, hitherto the leading show of Taranaki, is swept into a back seat also. We' crow. Of course we do. Stratford doesn't hide its light under a bushel. You don't 1 meet the Stratford man travelling the country with a face as elongated as the proverbial fiddle, and the expression of a man who has lost a sovereign and found sixpence. Not lie. "Well." you say, ''how's Stratford?" Pity lie -hasn't a twang, for then you'd sav the Stratfordite hailed from the land of the Stars and Stripes. "Stratford, sir? O. Stratford's all right. Stratford's. always all light, doing to be the biggest inland town in the North Island. You bet! Take time, of course, but it's coming mighty sure. Look at' that railway out to Whang;)! and beyond! Regular goldmine for us when the coal mines open up." (And lie doesn't notice his own pun. but goes on:] "This is where the Taranaki Fanners' Co-operative Freezing Works will be. Draw stock from away across to the Main Trunk line. What? Can't do it? Can't we? (A note of triumph.) Look here, you watch Stratford. Tt'll do vouv eyesight good!" Then he tells you about the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. How it was; thought of, formed, and boomed along. How a committee recommended the Association to buy a farm and make a showground of it. How the acres and acres of logs, and bogs, and boles, a'nd hillocks, were levelled ofT and grassed. How the builder sailed in for all his reputation was worth to get the grandstand finished for the opening day. And he mentions the man who helped, each in his own way. How the man looking for members became a fisher of men and netted the ministers of the gospel, the grocers, the drapers, tho stockmen—everybody. How the fiTst show was reckoned to be a marrel of pluck, determination, and organisation. Then, "Are you a mem.ber? No? Let's propose you." No wonder our show's going to be a big tiling'—if the weather is right. President Dingle says itfx all been arranged, and we've to have two glorious days on Wednesday and Thursday. That's all that's needed now to bring together on those days the biggest show crowds that Taranaki has ever seen. Apart from the grand exhibitions of farm stock, dogs/home industries, jlairy produce, and so on, there are all sorts of attractions for the general public.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. ELECTRIC LIGHT. Sir,—Your correspondent "Progress" has delved in figures to prove what a great big fortune the ratepayers are going to make out of the electric light plant when they get hold of it. Will he please explain how it is the company wants to sell it? And while lie is at it will he be good enough to tell us where the £4OOO goodwill" comes in. This £4OOO is what is sticking in my windpipe. and 1 can't get rid of it. Mr. Masters bad an interview with your reporter here the other day. but he didn't tell us how long the present plant is good for. Tt's nice for the valuers to say it is good for several years before it is tit to lie thrown on the scrap-heap, but T would like to know a little more definitely. Would it not be better for the Council to go in for a big loan and start a new electric scheme altogether? I would support anv councillor who proposed doing that, but I don't like taking over the antiquated plant that has always- failed to give us a decent light, such as we are supposed to get. Trusting you will insert this letter, and that someone will trv and throw more light on the matter. —T am, etc.. ELECTRICUS.

THE PREMIER'S VISIT TO STRATFORD TO-DAY. Sir Joseph Ward. Bart... will pass through Stratford this morning for Nnrmanbv and Ilawera. returning to us by the 3.15 train. As soon is practicable after the arrival of the Prime Minister he will lay the foundation stone of the first brick school in Taranaki. exclusive, of course, of the Technical College at. New Plymouth. This is ihe new wing of the Stratford District High School, to replace that which was destroyed by fire some months ayo. The whole of the arrangements for this function have now been completed by the District High School Committee.

Tin l Premier will I lien receive deputation-; {rum I lie school enmmiM.ec on vanon-; the um-i important bein!* the need for prevention of anv legislative action which would liave the efl'ecl of deprivinu' Taranaki of anv share of the revenue from the o]>akn reserve, which has been specially set apart to provide funds for secondary education in Taranaki. Tt is thought by some members of tin' local school committee that the Victoria College Governors are airain oas(it»tr loui!hiir eyes upon the reserve and il« ivvraiie. Some ei;;ht rears ntjo or thereabouts this matter was in i lie public mill:!, and f well remember the strenuous elVnrts of Mr. Joseph Mackav. M..\.. in prrvcntiiijr Tarnnaki's ''one ewe lamb" from beiiur filclieil from her. If T remember ritrhlly. the Stratford commit lee was also lo tin- fore ill the matter on that occasion. Most, people will admit that, the cause is just, all 1 that Ihere is nolhinir to warrant anv action bring taken which will retard the higher education of Taranaki children. The Chamber of Commerce will, through the president. Mr. J. '.Wasters. iii'!.'e Stratford's claim to a new posl. ollice. I don't suppose Sir Joseph earri i s pi-' ntlices a'oi;:':l in his pockc!. even just on the i ve of an election, and the chances are thai lie won't, be inclined to make anv direct promise. Hut if the business at. the public counter when he inspects tic place is envthiiiff like what it nsiinllv is between three and four o'clock ill the afternoon there will han'.lv be any necessity for the deputation to hold forth, unless it lie to im-

press on the Premier that 'Stratford has long outgrown tho present building, that the post otiice has served its purpose excellently in our younger days, and tha-t any new building must be so planned as to provide for a very big expansion' of business in the near future. Business over, Sir Joseph will be entertained at dinner at the County Hotel, the school committee acting as hosts. There won't be time to finger long over speeches, for the Premier is due to leave for Inglewood by the express train at <5.41 p.m. There he is due to deliver a political speech, and doubtless ihe will have as big a meeting as, the Parish Hall will allow. If Inglewood is to have Prime Ministers and such like speakers very often, that Town Hall movement will have to be freshened up.

SOMji f im, xROPHIES. ,( yLear ' V > 'manager of the Egmont Clothing Company, has made a special window display of trophies presented for competition at the show First, there is Mr. Fred. Gooch's smokers companion, valued at 14 guineas, to go to the, exhibitor of the best 'horse sired by 'Mr. Gooch's Young Victor. A - silver-plated oak salad bowl' is presented i by Mr. <\ooch for the best three-year-old, and a fine oak biscuit barrel for I the best vearl ing from the same sire. I From what I can hear, the animals en- | tering in these classes include some perfectly proportioned horseflesh. Messrs. C. and E. Jackson have do-1 nated a massive silver challenge cup ! for the butter-fat competition, in which sixteen cattle are now putting up their daily performances. This trophy can be won outright by repeated successes of < any one exhibitor.

The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company has presented a fine silver hotMater kettle, valued at five guineas, for the best'dairv cow in the show. These trophies are attracting a «ood deal of attention, and there is naturally some curiosity to «ee what manner ot beasts will secure them for their fortunate owners.

OUR NURSERIES Just off the main road, between Stratford ami Eltham, there are two places well worth paving a visit to, viz., Mi\ K. McK. Morrison's nurseries and the Agaire Gardens. Outsido New Ply. mouth's beautiful Recreation Grounds the pleasure resort at Ngaire conies an easy second for picturesqueness, and apart from its attractions for those merely seeking a shady nook wherein to spend a few quiet hours, there are innumerable pastimes provided, such as boating on the lakes, shooting the chute, etc. Hut as it is Mr. Morrison's nurserv gardens that this article is meant to deal with more particularly, Xgaire may be sfifelv left to look after its own interests, as its beauty spot is so extensively known now that 'holiday -makers need no prompting as to where to go. Just outside the Stratford borough boundsirj, on the right hand side "oin<* to Ngaire. will be found Mr. Morison's holding of seventy-flve acres, part of which dias been laid out as a nursery, conducted upon the most approved lines, i Besides full stocks of ornamental shrubs' shelter trees, hedge plants, etc., Mr. Mor- I ison has a particularly fine selection of) apple grafts of various ages, which he I guai antees to be absolutely free from i blight. Mind, he does not guarantee - that they will not take blight after they leave his hands; but with ordinary precaution.'; the pest cun be kept tinder. On all the apple trees in the nursery—and there are many—there is not a sign of Wight, which is a testimony to the effective methods adopted by "the proprietor. While dealing with apple trees it might be mentioned that there is somewhat of a novelty in the nursery in the shape of what may be termed two hedges of these trees. They are planted fairly close together in a slightly slanting position against wire netting, and are not allowed to grow above this support. At present every tree is loaded with fruit, some of which is not a foot from the ground, and while the support afforded by the wire netting, together with the shelter, the crop gives promise of being a heavy one. T'here are a number of large plum trees, all looking the picture of health, and literally crowded with young fruit. Perhaps the greatest attraction is the vinery, an extensive glass building, in which the vines are now looking their best, with the young grapes just forming. Those who have had the pleasure of tasting the fruit from Mr. Morison's vines need no persuasion to try them again; they are targe, and of the finest flavor. Last year a ton of grapes was gathered from this vinery, and the yield this year should be equal, if not greater. Mr. Morison ha> shown a considerable amount of enterprise in launching out as he has done, and his venture deserves all the success which it achieves.

GENERAL NEWS The president, and secretary (Messrs. J. "Masters and J. B. Richards) called on all the shopkeepers in Stratford the other day with a view of ascertaining the present feeling on the half-holiday question. There was a big majority in favor of the Saturday being observed here, provided that it is general throughout Taranaki.

On Friday morning we were given the luxury of a frost. We have now had a sample of practically everything that Rev. Bates has in stock, and surely it's time the rev. gentleman gave up experimenting. Enough's as good as a feast, and we've had enough samples, particularly as the cold at wet and windy samples are in the majority. Fancy a frost at the latter part of November, too! Mr. IT. Wilson (Messrs. 11. Wilson and Son) contemplates making considerable alterations to his business premises in Broadway south. The present shopfront is to be taken out and plate-glass substituted. With the new motor garage going up in brick close by. and this modernising of the big saddlery shop, surely Broadway south ::iu>t be in for some of its "good old days." The business area is spreading.