THE WAIRARAPA SHOW

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10712, 16 October 1912, Page 6

THE WAIRARAPA SHOW

UECOIvD GATHERING EXPECTED. Thirty-five years ago the Wairarapa and East Coast Pastoral and Agricultural Society was launched, and from its very humble and diminutive beginning has, year by year gradually expanded and developed, until, at the present, juncture, it is an institution recognised for its importance from ond of the Dominion to the other. Once or twice during its lengthy career tho Society, through financial embarrassment and other impediments to progress, was seriously threatened with extinction, but 'substantial assistance was readily I forthcoming, and, during recent years j notwithstanding occasional adverse 1 weather conditions and other conflicting circumstances, the Society has forged ahead, until, at the present time, it ranks amongst the most progressive, and enterprising institutions of its kind in Xew Zealand. [During the bust twelve months a vigorous building programme has been successfully accomplished, and the appointments at the. Carterton Showground wi'.l more than favourably compare with those of other parts o the Domini'm. From past experience

and in order to popularise the show with stock exhibitors, the society has determined upon two things, to provide shelter in the event of wet weaj ther, antT to arrange, the pens more systematically for various classes. Some idea of the shelter now provided for stock may be gauged from the fact that there are now 142 covered in stalls for purebred cat-tie and milkers, over 30 milk hails, a tbublo row of draught horse stalls, 12 100-'-e-hox-es for draught and thoroughbred | stallions, and about "0 pens for pigs. I [ Practically every class of stock, with

the sole exception of fat cattle, is thus provided with covering against any kind of weather. But that is not all. Two fine sh'vp pavilions have also been erected at r cost, of over .€3OO. Each of these i--365.feet loin? by 3o feet wide, providing snlondid covering for -"iO .whoop i pens. The buildings, winch were constructed by.Taylor- -and Hoda'o, builders, of Masterton (the nlmnhin'c contract being carried out by ;.A. J. Parton, of Carterton), are substantial structure?;, well ventilated, drained and patbed, and it is safe to pro- | diet that ,sheep owners will not be backward in expressing their appreciation of the .Society's enterprise. All the remaining appointments are thoroughly modern and up-to-date, and tlie. ground as now modelled, will give pleasure and complete satisfaction to members of the Society, exhibitors, and the general public alike.

j The clerical staff are now busy comI piling this year's entries, and not only do present indications establish the fact that all predecessors will be easily eclipsed in point of numbers, I particularly in sheen and cattle, but also that the quality of the exhibits will' be the hest New Zealand can produce. The accommodation of the spacious agricultural hall will ho severely taxed with: exhibits in produce, grain, cheese, butter, home industries and fancy work, in each of which sections record entries have been received. Amongst the novelty attractions on f *~!io Pr-.--l'i' s Day is the pigeon race, for which there are 600 entries. This event should provide a magnificent spectacle v-Vn the whole of the birds are releasrd from the loft simultaneously. Then there is the proposed aeroplane flight over the ground during the afternoon. This event alone should bo responsible for hundreds of visitors to the show. A record attendance is anticipated.