A GREAT SHOW

Wairarapa Age, 16 February 1927, Page 5

A GREAT SHOW

OPENING DAY AT SOLWAY SPLENDID DISPLAYS LIST OF YESTERDAY’S JUDGING AWARDS. Cool overcast weather, after the rain of the night before, prevailed for the opening yesterday of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s fortieth annual Show. The fixture is in every way a success, and was described yesterday by keen experts as one of the finest exhibitions of live stock ever staged in Masterton. The arrangements were excellently controlled, and laid the foundation for a record People’s Day, which is to be observed to-day.

The feature which immediately strikes the visitor is the greatly improved lay-out of the grounds as compared with former years. The itinerant showmen, who last year were allowed to hide the bush with their broad expanse of canvas, have been removed to more convenient quarters inside the main entrance, and with the removal of the permanent motor trade stands the grounds are now displayed to the best advantage. The Association may be congratulated on the new arrangement, which certainly should be allowed to stand. The removal of the motor stands to a point slightly north-east of the grandstand gives that section of trade far better and more spacious facilities to display their machines, while those traders with stands adjacent to the old motor site appreciate the extra space placed at their disposal.

The re-decoration of the main gates and adjacent buildings completed an excellent appearance, and it can be truthfully said that the grounds maintain their claim to be the most picturesque in the Dominion.

aJ.he earnest endeavours of the memiflFs of the General Committee to attract more outside exhibitors to the show have borne good fruit, and the entries in most classes exceed those of last year. The sheep classes are a record and the judges as a rule spoke in terms of high praise of the animals which canfe before them. Despite the falling-off in the demand for Lincolns, this breed is well represented by Wairarapa. breeders. As is usual for this district, competition in the open Romney classes is exceptionally strong, the local exhibitors predominating over a strong outside invasion. The unhoused class is similarly supported. As is the case in most recent district shows, the popular Southdown breed is strongly represent■ed; in fact the competition is stronger there than in the Romney classes. Messrs. Burrell and Son, C. E. Vile and J. Knight, from the Feilding district, are the principal competitors with local breeders. Sheep for freezing and fat sheep are numerous and well up to the standard of Wairarapa *s best exportable uypes. Cattle are up about fifty on last year’s total entry, the increase being principally in dairy breeds. Due probably to the slack demand for prime cattle, the beef breed* have dropped away to a negligible quantity, but purebred and grade dairy beasts have replaced them and for an autumn display the entry is highly creditable.

This year’s Show also is notable for the revival of interest in horseflesh and horsemanship. Attracted' by a liberal prize list, some of the Wellington province’s best hacks, hunters and riders are attending the Show, and some rare treats were provided for lovers of things equestrian. These classes—ring competitions, jumping and riding—have never been stronger at Masterton, and to-day’s programme furnishes patrons with a continuous eerieS of interesting ring events.

Sure proof of the success or otherwise of any Show can be obtained from the number of complaints which are lodged at the official centre of organisation, and the success of this year’s Shdfcr is apparent from the fact that not one complaint was hoard yesterday from any source whatever. The supervision of the secretary (Mr. R. H. Williams) was responsible for absolute tranquility in the running of the Show, and with the assistance of Mr. F. Dunn, the official control was efficient to. the

letter. The President (Mr G. H. Perry) besides assisting the Show with a large team of stock entries requiring his personal attention, was busily engaged in attending to the requirements erf the visitors, to whom the customary Masterton hospitality was extended. All the various marshal stewards and assisting officials were most untiring in their efforts to ensure the complete success of the show, and their efforts were appreciated and freely praised. Following are the detail awards in classes judged yesterday: — ! I ■ ■