PEOPLE’S DAY AT SOLWAY

Wairarapa Age, 17 February 1927, Page 5

PEOPLE’S DAY AT SOLWAY

RING COMPETITIONS VARIED ROUND OF ENTERTAINMENT PUBLIC DELIGHTED WITH THE SHOW. The weather was brilliantly fine yesterday for the second and concluding day—People’s Day—of the Masterton A. and P. Association s Show. The attendance was quite equal to that of last year, which attained record proportions, and with a lengthy entertainment programme the day passed eff merrily until evening shadows were falling. The handling of the heavy programme could hardly have been improved upon, and the variety of the entertainment for all tastes made the 1927 Showone which will live long in memory..

>r With such glorious weather, and the shops throughout the district observing a half-holiday, it was only to be expected that a large attendance would be the result. In at the public wero well satisfied with the programme praeented to them was made evident by the remarks of general approval which could be heard on every side regarding the all-round excellence of the Show. Never before has such an exhibition of light horses been staged in Masterton. The competitors represented some of the strongest stables in the Wellington province, and as there were numerous nominations in most of the events, the ring was constantly filled. Such a programme had never previously been scheduled in the Wairarapa, and it speaks volumes for the work of the members of the Light Horse Committee. under the supervision of Mr. T. V. Caverhill, as marshal, that the events were concluded in daylight. An obviously sincere tribute was paid in this connection by the judge (Mr. Storey) who stated that in all his experience shows, he had never seen a programme got off so smartly, and with so little inconvenience to competitors.

Competition from outside hacks proved a little too strong for district competitors, who, while getting a fair share of the prize money, had to take a smaller share of the championship honours. The championship hack class was worn by Mr. H. M. Campbell’s imported hack, The Coulin, while the championship jumping event fell to an old favourite in the Masterton ring in Mr. J. Shaw’s Beta. A local exhibitor scored a meritorious win in the pony jumping championship, Mr. E. Byan’s Miss Flirt gaining a handsome decision over the crack De Wet, which is recognised as being one of the most skilful pony jumpers sev« in the Dominion in recent years. z

New features were the introduction of buck jumping for amateur riders, :.nd mounted events for district mounted rifles. Both events proved most entertaining to the public, especially the. former in which the riders were loudly applauded for their intrepid displays of horsemanship. The troopers’ competitions were both spectacular and entertaining. and are well worth retaining in the programme. Though an epidemic of sickness has invaded the kennels of >he Wairarapa during the past month or so, the dog section produced very strong competition. The New Zealand challenge for Greyhounds, allotted to Masterton for this year, was won by Mr. J. Devine’s Forward Lass.

The' grand parade of champions and prize-winners was admired by a great crowd of people in the stand and

around the ring. In the order of the parade small dogs led the way, w T hile the rearguard consisted of majestic bulls and horses. Nearly all the animals, big and little, were line specimens of their various kinds and classes, and many were beautiful. One of the prettiest sections of the parade consisted of ponies ridden by small girls, some of them mere tots. Observing the obvious pride of these little ones in their mounts it was easy to believe that It will be a very long time before the pony and the horse are allowed to die out and be forgotten. The various mercantile and industrial displays attracted considerable attention, while in the produce hall the ex hibitions of domestic handiwork were viewed with great interest.

A section of the officials whose work does not appear on the surface is the Stock Receiving Committee. Their task commences the day before the Show, and does not conclude until every animal is consigned on its return home. Mr L. Wilton, the marshal, and his band of stewards who have undertaken this work for some years past, assist largely towards of the Show, and thejr efforts on this occasion were most favourably commented on by scores of exhibitors. The. control of the Show was again everything that could be desired. Under the thoughtful direction of the President (Mr. G. H. Perry) Ihe entire band of officials did everything in their power to entertain the visitors and generally popularise the Show with outsiders. The commendation heard on all sides bore eloquent testimony to the success of these efforts. Following are particulars of gate takings .etc., this year and last year: —

Last year all children were charged 6d admission, but this year children under 10 years of age were admitted free.

A list of awards in the classes judged yesterday will be found on page 6.

1926 1927 .£ s. d. £ si. d. First Dav— Alain Gates .. 30 7 0 10 ,6 Bailway gates 2 0 0 1 14 0 South gates 2 2 0 Lunch and tea 39 16 & .39 5 1 Total 72 3 6 75 11 6 Second Dav— Alain Gates . 457 18 0 311 0 6 Railwav gates 45 11 0 39 0 0 South gates 96 15 0 Stand +s 12 0 45 14 o Lunch and tea 155 15 6 178 2 0 Total ... . 705 16 6 670 14 .0 Grand Total 77S 0 0 746 5 6