DUNEDIN WINTER SHOW

New Zealand Tablet, 12 June 1913, Page 45

DUNEDIN WINTER SHOW

The Dunedin Winter Show was opened last week by the Hon. F. H. D. Bell. Although the entries were slightly under those of last year, they made up for this falling-off by their superior quality. In fact, all who visited it, and especially those who have been in the habit of attending year after year, gave it as their opinion that it was the best held since the show was started. As it is, the ample space provided was severely taxed, and, considering the growing popularity of the show year by year, it was apparent that before long the A. and P. Society will have to extend their premises if they are to keep pace . with the patronage extended to this attractive winter exhibition.

The Hon. the Minister for Internal Affairs, in his opening remarks, expressed regret at the absence of the Prime Minister, w T ho was in the Auckland Province. Mr. Bell then referred to the opening of the markets of the world, which was a matter of importance to the whole of the Australasian colonies. America, under the revised tariff, would take our wool and meat, and he had been lately assured by a member of a well-known firm of meat salesmen that the Continent would shortly require frozen meat. The steady increase in the output of our dairy produce and its quality, and the large increases in the export of mutton to Canada and South Africa this season, were evidence that prices would be maintained.

The weather held beautifully fine during the week, with the result that the influx of visitors to Dunedin had been larger than on any former occasion. There was an exceptionally fine show of fruit, especially apples, of which Central Otago and Taieri orchardists sent some splendidly grown and well-colored samples.

The Department of Agriculture had a Hall placed entirely at its disposal, and made the finest display that it has yet done at this show. Special features were the samples of grain and roots grown under co-operation with farmers, and these formed an excellent objectlesson. There were also special sheaf exhibits from crops that have produced specially large yields. Other special features were specimens of grasses and fodder plants for revegetating depleted land and for reclaiming sand areas ; fruit from Tauranga, fancy cheese from Weraroa, wine from the Waerenga Experimental Farm,

also samples of rope and hemp. Samples of silver beet, thousand-beaded kale, chou moellier, veterinary exhibits, etc., went to make up a highly interesting, valuable, and educational display. Among the Exhibits. v Year after year one of the most attractive exhibits at the Winter Show is that of the Christchurch Meat Company, Ltd. The goods bearing the brand of this company do not require any testimonial, as they have already made a name for themselves far beyond the confines of this Dominion, both by reason of their superior quality, moderate price, and the perfection, reached in their putting up. In this Dominion we have beef and mutton which cannot be excelled, and when these commodities are treated in the most up-to-date manner, as is the case with the goods of the Christchurch Meat Company, there is no reason why they should not practically control the local market to the exclusion of those of the best houses in Europe. It was a' most comprehensive display which this company made —extract of meat, sheep tongues in glass jars and tins, and various kinds of preserved meats. It is pleasing to know that a local industry of such magnitude has met with the success which it fully deserves. Those who have any experience of motor cars, and even those who have not, know the difficulty of starting them. The builders of the famous Cadillac cars, for which Messrs. Dexter and Crazier, of Christchurch, are the agents, have surmounted this difficulty, as the car can be started by merely pressing an electric button. This is a distinct improvement on the old method, but it is only one of the many attractive new features of the Cadillac car. The one exhibited at the Winter Show last week was that which won the ' 100-guinea cup in New Zealand Reliability Trials to Kaikoura, and was also the winner last week of a gold medal for a trial from Dunedin to Timaru and back. Although there were numerous makes of cars at the show, all catering for public favor, still none seemed to attract so much attention as the Cadillac, which was .a source of interest day after day to visitors. Two or three very useful articles for domestic purposes were shown by the D.I.C. These were the Improved Victory sewing machine, with several new features; a labor-saving washing machine, which cannot be other than a boon to the worried housewife, and a vacuum carpet cleaner, which is a decided improvement on, and much more effective than, the old style.

9 ■, ■ •. ■ - • •. . • ■' • Messrs. G. and T. Young, Ltd., jewellers and silversmiths, of Dunedin, and also at Oamaru, Timaru, and Wellington, had, as usual on such occasions, a very valuable and comprehensive display of both gold and silver jewellery of the latest designs, that in gold being set with all the most fashionable gems, tourmalines, olivines, aquamarines, and , cameos, while the silver jewellery contained some pretty examples of enamel work. As this old established firm possess unrivalled buying facilities in London, they are in a position to get new goods landed here by the time similar goods are on sale at Home, and thus customers are guaranteed to get the very latest designs at the earliest possible moment. Among the goods shown on the firm’s stand were silver prize cups and bowls, and electro-plated kettles, jugs, cake baskets, cruets, etc., while a novelty in an electric clock which goes for three years was also shown. Messrs. Briscoe and Co. had an exhibit of Marseilles roofing tiles, Wunderlich art metal ceilings, well-fire grates, fencing wire, copper work, etc. The Marseilles tiles and art metal ceilings were shown to advantage in the bungalow structure erected in the Brydone Hall. Our readers need not be told of the artistic effect produced by Marseilles tiles for roofing purposes, whilst art metal ceilings have come to be recognised as the right thing in every dwelling having any pretension to style. The Milburn Lime and Cement Co. had an exhibit of their well known cement, and also many articles manufactured from it. The display showed to what perfection local manufactures have been brought, and to what varied uses cement can be put. As a local concern the company deserves the generous support which a discriminating public accords its manufactures. The ‘ Champion ’ ranges, manufactured by Messrs. Brinsley and Co., are noted for the efficient manner in which they perform their work, and also for their

economy in the use of coal or wood. Then again the finish of these ranges is so superior, that one of theta installed in a kitchen must be a matter of pride and pleasure to the mistress or maid who has to use it. They bake well, look well, are easily managed, and can be kept spick and span with a minimum of labor—matter of considerable moment nowadays when domestic help is so, difficult to .obtain. The exhibit of ranges by this firm at the show received special attention, especially from the ladies, who are the best judges of household requisites. The exhibit included ranges suitable either for a cottage or a mansion; and all, whether large or small, were finished in that superior style for which this firm is noted. That well-known firm, Messrs. Scoullar and Chisholm, Ltd., manufacturers of high-class furniture in artistic design, had an attractive display of bed-room and other furniture. This firm has a well-deserved reputation for the excellence of its manufactures, which are made by skilled workmen from well seasoned woods, and in designs in accordance with those which are in vogue in the Home countries at the present time. An attractive display was that made by Messrs. Herbert, Haynes, and Co., who showed three rooms-dining-room, breakfast-room, and bed-roomfurnished complete. The Queen Anne bed-room suite was in the new silver grey harewood style, and attracted much attention, and was greatly admired.