Top brass on show

Little fault could be found with the weather conditions for the second day of the Otago A and P Society’s Summer Show. It was not anticipated that the attendance would he equal to that of last year, which, by the way, was a long way above the usual. There were counter-attractions, the principal of which was the Exhibition, and there is no doubt that many who would otherwise have attended were at the larger "show." The gate receipts for the day amounted to £356 14s, which is a considerable falling-off from last year’s record. The Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson and His Excellency's private secretary (Mr Little) arrived at the ground at 2.15pm, and was met by the president (Mr Geo. Black). His Excellency and party were escorted to the grandstand and viewed the general parade of stock, which was then in progress. The Prime Minister (the Hon J.G. Coates) and Mrs Coates, accompanied by Mr F.D. Thomson (the Prime Minister’s private secretary), were also in attendance and took a keen interest in the proceedings.

Display explains irrigation

Perhaps the most outstanding exhibit at the Exhibition at Logan Park to catch the farmer’s eye is to be found in the display of the Public Works Department. This is the miniature irrigation scheme, which shows in almost perfect detail the process which provides for once arid land the refreshing waters of irrigation. In one corner stands the Mount Ida Valley, showing unmistakably the potentialities of the district, granted adequate water supplies. Opposite is the Galloway Experimental Area’s exhibit, showing in minute detail the working of various methods of irrigation. In the same display can be found a unique plan of the Manorburn dam, wonderfully executed and giving even the most uninterested layman a clear conception of the amount of work and money required. One of the model irrigation schemes deals solely with the supplying of water to the subsidiary races on private holdings. The model contains a large stretch of hilly, almost mountainous, country, and here the passage of the life-giving streams from the source of supply along miles of hill and mountain is clearly demonstrated. The winding race is seen in every detail, and the size of the channel required to supply perhaps hundreds and hundreds of acres with water can easily be imagined.

Auckland to catch up

Auckland has been criticised in no uncertain manner from time to time on account of the apathy shown in regard to the non-completion of the Auckland Court at the Exhibition. Aucklanders, while recognising that the interest shown in the project has not reached high-water mark, resent the criticism. When discussing the matter with a Daily Times reporter before leaving Dunedin yesterday morning for Auckland, Mr T.G. Price said that the Auckland people hoped to show the people of Dunedin an exhibit as complete as possible. There had been numerous unavoidable delays in regard to forwarding the exhibits, but most of these were now on the way to Dunedin.

Strawberries arrive

Yesterday morning one of the fruit marts had on sale the first of the season’s strawberries, and the novelty of the offering secured it good competition, which ended at 4 shillings 4 pence per pottle for Timaru berries and from 4s 4d to 4s 9d for those from Central Otago. — ODT, 20.11.1925

Compiled by Peter Dowden