WANGANUI AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8252, 5 October 1906, Page 7

WANGANUI AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

At the present juncture, when we are within a few weeks of the date of the annual Show of the Wanganui Agricultural Association, It may not be oat of place to g«ve some facts and figures concerning its continued inorease in public popularity, says the Wanganui Chronicle. For instance, taking the comparative figures iunuing over the period from 1899 to 1905 (last year's Show) we find the following as to the substantial acknowledgment of exhibitors:— Horses 241 in 1899 and 627 in 1905; cattle, 53, 181; sheep, 136, 308; poultry 27, 476; doge, 15, 295. These figures surely speak most eloquently for themselves. Then we take the monetary value of the Shows held during the past six years, and find that in 1899 the gates and privileges brought in a revenue of £l4B, whilst in 1905 they had increased to £563. The membership subscriptions in the latter year totalled £l9O, as against £568 for the last Show; cash prizes paid were £287 as against £1,250; entries, £149 as contrasted with £593 ; and tbo gross receipts, 1899 £605, 1905 £l/)75. It will be noticed that in this year's programme the Association give £1,250 in oasb, and this sum ia materially added to by the generous donations of reaidonts aed Bettlera north and south for special prizes valued at least £350, in the very many ulasses. As to the maunei and method of the executive in coping with the necessity for increased accommodation for the exhibition aud housing of sheep, oattle, pigs, etc., it need only be stated that they are spending £6OO in the erection of new cattle pens, including a number of coveredin stalls tor the satisfactory protection of pedigreo prize stock. The Association has also a large shed, 140 x 60 feet, for the reception and display of home industries; fourteen shops each 22 x 10 feet; and a produce shed 60 x 30 feet, all under the best of supervision. The ring in front of the grandstand has been removed, so that the public will be able to avail themselves of all the exoellent accommodation provided by the Wanganui Jockey Olub, the seating for patrons being equal to fullv 5,000 in the various stands, enclosures, etc., without mentioning the space enoiruied by what is known as the course proper. It will be remembered that when the erection of the produce sheds was first mooted, the general public generously responded to solicitation for the necessary fandj and subscribed £7OO. Now, when the new cattle yards, etc., are required, theoost — £6oo—haa been prarjtioally contributed in the same liberal manner—a sure indication of the strong hold the Association has on the sympathies of a large section of the public Sarely, then, when saoh a longestablished Association as this shows by facta and figures that it is not only catering for the public entertainment, but at the same time striving to promote the" agricultural and pastural industries, its efforts should meet with an appreciative response, and there should be record entries on November 3rd next for the annual Show of 1906.