THE WAIKATO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S SHOW.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 47, 27 October 1896, Page 2

THE WAIKATO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S SHOW.

Thursday next will sue the opening of the fifth annual show under the auspices of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Year by year this annual gathering has grown until now it can rank as the chief agricultural attraction in the Auckland Province, excepting of course that held I)}' the Provincial Association, and even with this it would compare most favourably in many respects. The entries this year are, as will lie seen by the subjoined list, larger than on any previous occassion, the increase being in the horse and cattle cla.-ses, ft'liile sheep show a slight falling oh". The entries in the respective classes arc as follows : 1805 DOT) Horses ... ITS 233 Increase 55 Cattle ... IDS 120 Increase 12 Sheep ... 212 2(j."> Decrease 7 Pigs ... 5 8 Increase 3 Total increase of G.'i. The judges have been selected with the greatest care and in their hands the awards should give every satisfaction. Durjng yesterday the stewards and other officials were all busily engaged fixing up matters in connection with the yards and show rings, and when wc were on the ground during the afternoon the arrangements were all in a forward state. Profiting by the experience of previous years, many 1 ttle improvements have been effected, and it may fairly be said that the show ground is now as complete as can be, the convenience of the exhibitors and the public being studied in every particular. Diiriuc the past year a commodious shed 30 feet x 50 feet has been erected, ami Ibis will be used as a luncheon room, part being partitioned off for the stewards and the other portion being available for the public. The catering this year is in the hands of Mr T. MeEwin, of the City Buffet, and his resources as a providorc are so well known as to ensure the utmost satisfaction being given. Wc understand that in addition to the building mentioned above he intends to erect a large marquee to be used also as a lunch-eon-room, so as to provide accommodation for as man)" as possible. As usual the Railway Department have laid on special trains to suit the convenience of the public and on the 2Sth, 20th, and 30th tickets at the reduced rates of 2d and Id per mile first and second class respectively will be issued from any station to Hamilton Hast or West, and will be available for return up to the Mowing Monday. On Thursday and Fiiday the train from To Awamutu will run right on to Hamilton East. On Friday, a. special train will leave Auckland at 7 a.m., arriving at halfpast eleven, returning from Hamilton East at 5 p.m., and is timed to reach Auckland at D. 35. On this day also a special train will run through to To Aroha and Pacroa, leaving Hamilton East at 5.15 p.m. The train to Lichfield will not leave Hamilton East until the same time, and that for Cambridge not till 5.30. Passengers for Te Awamutu will proceed to Frank ton Junction in the Auckland train leaving at 5 p.m. The grounds will be open at 10 o'clock on Thursday and up to 2 p.m. on that day the charge for admission will be 2s, but after that time and during Friday the charge will be Is, members ot the Associatian and two ladies bo'iig admitted free at any time. We have been particularly requested to state that there will be no charge made for taking horses in to the grounds, and a paddock has been set apart for their accommodation free of charge. As we have said abo' e, everything that can be done lias been done, and all that is required to make the Show a crowning success is fine weather, and it is to be hoped that the Association and the public will be favoured with this. The catalogues printed at the AUGCS office are now complete, and will be in the hands of the runners this afternoon. In the jump'llg competitions for boys to be held on the second day, it has been decided to make two classes, one for boys under 12 years of age over hurdles 3 loot high, and the other for boys under 11 years over hurdles 3 feet (i inches high.