SHOW TOPICS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20819, 1 June 1939, Page 6

SHOW TOPICS

The Hamilton Fire Brigade has again made comprehensive arrangements to protect the public and property at the Winter Show. A direct fire alarm system connecting with the new fire station has been installed, and sufficient lengths of hose and chemical fire extinguishers have been distributed throughout the buildings at convenient points. Firemen are also on patrol throughout the premises day and night. * * * * From an educational point of view, one of tile outstanding exhibits at the show was a display of agricultural produce arranged by Mr J. Ballard, a member of the executive committee. I'he display was most comprehensive, including grain, vegetables, grasses, roots, fruit and eggs, the whole of the produce being raised on Mr Ballard's farms at Gordonton and Claudelands. * * * * “ Britain imports more than 600.000 tons of pig products each year, and there is no doubt that this industry offers great scope in New Zealand,” commented the Minister of Agriculture, the lion. W. Lee Martin, at the show yesterday. The Minister added tliat the bacon exhibit at the show demonstrated what could be done with the pig industry in the Dominion. There was no reason why the export trade in this branch of industry should not be exploited more. “The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, is to be congratulated on the manner in which he is tackling the scientific problems regarding stock diseases,” commented the Minister of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, at the opening of the show yesterday. “ I hope that the efforts being made by the Department regarding facial ezeema will soon remove the obstacles at present facing the dairy farmers in this Dominion.” A day free of serious casualties was reported by officers of the St. John Ambulance on duty at the Waikato Winter Show yesterday. The opening ceremony, which, owing t.o the crowded nature of the Bledisloe Hall, is generally marked by numerous cases of fainting, was remarkably free of it this year. Only three people were attended to by the brigade during the day. • • • • Displeasure at the methods Apparently used by some entrants in the home industries section was expressed by the judge. An entry of “ pickled onions ” in the preserved vegetable class was bottled in water, evidently on the eve of the show. The fact that ' the judge tasted cadi entry was overlooked. Another entry consisted of a re-bottled brand of overseas pickled onions. In this case the judge knew that the small onions used fur pickling overseas are not grown in New Zealand. * * » • One of the most successful exhibitors at the Waikato Winter Show this year was Mr F. Jans (Taranaki), who, in the agricultural section, gained first prize with his potatoes in every class in which he showed, except two. Mr Jans’ success and the high standard of the specimens he had grown was the subject of special comment by the judge, Mr G. King, of Taihape.