STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1921, Page 6

STRATFORD.

TARANAKI DAILY NEWS. STRATFORD AGENCY. Advertisements and items of news for publication should be left at the office of the local repesentative, W. J. Wilson, next Union Bank. A. & P. SHOW. SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS. , Stratford, Feb. 17. An important meeting of the chairmen of the different sections of the Stratford A. and P. Show was held in Smith’s Tea Rooms last night, for the purpose of discussing proposed improvements in connection with the running of the show. Mr. G. Sangster, president of the association, occupied the chair, and there were also present: Messrs. H. Hunt, K. Ross. J. B. Richards, M. T. Phillips, A. H. Huggett, A. R. Masters, W. Pettigrew', W. M. Burtey. L. D. Webster. W. H. Rutledge, D. O’Sullivan and E. Linnell. The chairman suggested improvements in connection with the luncheon and refreshment booths. He emphasised the need for better provision for providing hot water, 'and suggested that permanent boilers should be provided away from the luncheon room. Another suggestion he made was that a tea counter for the sale of tea, cakes, etc., should be provided, to serve the public all day. After discussion it was decided to recommend to the incoming committee that adequate provision be made for supplying hot water to the public at a reasonable charge. It was also decided to recommend the incoming committee to provide a tea counter at the show. The secretary (Mr. A. J. Barr) suggested that greater cohesion should exist between the various branches of the sections, which, when combined, made up the section of which each is a part. To emphasise his meaning, lie pointed out that the cattle section was divided into several units as follows: The chairman and stewards of the cattle section proper, the chairmen of fodder, paddocks,, aijd railway receiving, each of these departments being so dependent on the other that a well-fitting dovetail was necessary in order to make a perfect fit of the finished article —the cattle section. To obviate any difficulties in working this section, he suggested that all available paddocks for the accommodation of show stock be procured at least ten days before the opening day of the show; that a list of these paddocks be handed to the chairman of the cattle section, and that he allocate visiting stock, together with local stock, where accommodation was required accordingly. A list prepared on these lines and given to the railway receiving officer would relieve him of considerable worry, and save possible confusion to exhibitors and officials alike. Another point he wished to stress was the necessity of chairmen and stewards not transferring stock from one class to another without written instructions from the secretary. Even though an animal was obviously entered in its wrong class, owing to age or sex, it was absolutely necessary that the correction be made in the secretary’s catalogue, as it was from this copy that the final distribution of prize money was made. It would be readily seen that an award in the judge’s book for which there was no entry in the catalogue must lead to confusion and mistakes.

Mr. Phillips, chairman of the cattle section, agreed with the points raised by the secretary. Mter discussion the secretary's suggestions were adopted unanimously. Other alterations and improvements recommended by the secretary were as follows: (1) More adequate sanitary arrangements; ,(2) permanent buildings with coppers available for the use of the public; (3) Improvements in the pig pens; (4) permanent accommodation for the convenience of ithe Press.

With reference to the pig pens, Mr. Rutledge proposed that new pens bo provided at an estimated cost of £lOO. The present pens had been in use for eleven years, and if better pens were provided more entries would be received. Mr. A. R. Masters referred to the of providing adequate accommodation’for the Press, and suggested that a building be erected adjoining the present grandstand, for the Press and the secretary. All the suggestions made by Whe secretary wexe adopted as recommendations to the incoming committee.

Mr. Ross mentioned that the accommodation for the dog section was not satisfactory, and suggested the erection of a semi-permanent building, with accommodation for 80 dogs. He estimated that the cost of such a building would be in the vicinity of £lOO. It was decided to forward Mr. Ross’ suggestions to the general committee. Mr. Huggett brought up the question of extending the present tea kiosk, which experience had shown was not big enough. His idea was that one building be erected, with accommodation for the Press and the secretary upstairs, and a big tea room on the 'ground floor. The suggestions were noted for the, consideration of the committee.

Mr. Masters mentioned that the newspaper reporters usually had difficulty in obtaining interviews with the judges, he suggested that the judge’s steward should bring the judges to the Press stand after the completion of the judging on the first day. Mr. Burley made a number pf suggestions for improvements in connection with the juvenile competitions, and proposed that a shield should be provided for competition amongst the various schools.

It wa-s agreed that all the suggestions made at the meeting be adopted and recommended to the general committee for consideration.

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