WAIKATO WINTER SHOW.

Waipa Post, Volume I, Issue 16, 9 June 1911, Page 2

WAIKATO WINTER SHOW.

OPENED AT HAMILTON ON TUESDAY. A RECORD ATTENDANCE. The Waikato Winter Show was officially opened at Hamilton at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday by H.. j. Greenslade, Esq., M.P. The weather was perfect,, and the attendance was a record one. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

Before calling on Mr H. J. Greenslade, M.P., to open the Show, Mr S. J. Bennett, president, read a telegram from the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) in which he expressed regret at his inability to be • present, and wished the Show and the Associatian success. Some six years ago, said Mr Bennett, the late president, Mr J. S. Bond and Col. Allen Bell started the movement,to establish a Winter Show in Waikato. They were repeatedly told that the d'strict was not sufficiently advanced to support a show of this description, but despite all opposition, they set to work and' formed committees and put the movement on foot. He quoted figures showing the progress that had been made during the 5 years the Show had been held, ' which were received with hearty applause.

THE OPENING. Mr H. J. Gree.nslacle, M.P., who vas received with hearty applause, said that he desired to tender his congratulations to those who had devoted such a large amount of their- time towards making the Show such a huge success. He did not desire to be invidious, but as patron he could not help paying a special tribute to the president, Mr S. J. Bennett, the secretary, Mr A. J. Smith, and the assistant-secretary Mr W. H. Paul, all of whom had been most ably assisted by the members of the committee. Figures were quoted dealing with the progress of the Waikato. Mr Greenslade also paid a generous tribute to the assistance that had been received from other districts, specially mentioning Whangarei, Tauranga, Franklin, Taupo, and the Wade, and expressed the hope that the exhibition would prove the success which it so richly deserved, • and that the public, by their support and attention, would show their appreciation in a practical form.

MR W. T. JENNINGS. Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., congratulated the promoters on such an excellent display. He referred to the progress that was so very" evident throughout the Waikato. He cordially thanked the president and the promoters of the Show for the invitation to be present, and wished the Association every success in the future.

The Mayor of Hamilton (Mr J. A. Young), said that that day's show, was ample demonstratiojri of what could be done by both, country and town, and it cora-\ pared favorably with any he had % seen in the Dominion. ** The showr was not merely a exhibition, but showed what?.; could be done on the farm and : in the household. Touching on."> the necessity for the further open—": ihg up of the Crown and. native lands, the speaker hoped that; soon the whole of the vast areas ,< now locked up would be avail- X able for settlement, instead of.*" being merely spoken of as about'. to he, as at present. This, he - said, was the solution of one of • the greatest problems in New" Zealand, and the sooner these lands were made to become pro- • ductive the better.

The Show certainly appeared

well worthy of the complimentary remarks that had been made. The arrangements had been very carefully considered, and every class was well catered for. The total number of entries was far in excess of former shows, and the committee is to be congratulated on the success of the Show throughout.