THE SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 203, 25 February 1914, Page 4

THE SHOW.

The Taranaki Agricultural Autumn Show, which opens to-day, is one of the most important features of the year, and if the weather will only be a little kinder than it gives promise of being at time of writing, this year's fixture should prove the most successful in the Society's history. The Society has for a considerable time past been energetically preparing for the show, adding new features, strengthening others, and ensuring good competition in the different sections, as well as providing for the interest and amusement of the general public, and it will not be its fault ii the show which opens to-day is not the best ever held in New Plymouth. TheTaranaki show is always worth patronising, if for nothing else than to -ee its dairy classes, which are unsurpassed by any other show in the Dominion. It is, of course, but fit and proper that Taranaki should make a first-class show of dairy cattle, for is it not the home of dairying? All the popular luveds, the Jerseys, llolstcins and Ayrshires, not to forget the Shorthorns, will be well represented, and should provide good competition. These will make an excellent show in themselves, and for that reason everyone- interested in our staple industry—and who, really, is not?—cannot afford to miss seeing the best the district can furnish. In the horse classes, there will be good competition, (hough north Taranaki in this respect is weak compared with the southern end of the province. But what it lacks in Hie heavier type if

animals it will more than make tip in the lighter kinds, and in the jumping, driving and other events there will be seen some of the finest equine specimens the province possesses. Tho sheep, pig, dog and produce classes have all filled well, ensuring good and interesting competition. From what can be gleaned from the catalogue, the show is likely io be successful in every department. Jt only requires good weather to make it successful financially. The Society lias been somewhat unlucky of late, years in regard to the weather liotli for its spring and autumn shows, anil, in consequence, its finances have suffered. It wants fine weather this year more than ever in order to rehabilitate its finances. And it deserves generous treatment from Mr. Bates, as well as liberal patronage from the general public. No body of men have worked harder or more unselfishly against often enough very great 011113, than those comprising tile executive of the Society, and no one deserves support and encouragement more than they. They are working with the object of making the show one of the most important and attractive in the Dominion, and with the assistance of the public there is reason to believe'" tfcey will succeed, ileantimp, their efforts should in every way be seconded, and this can be done best by patronising and supporting the show of to-day and to-morrow.