West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Friday 3 November 1905, page 4


VIIllANS BT AITA.L PERTH, FRIDAY, NOV. 3, 1906. The most sucoessful agricultural show meeting yet held, in this State, and, it is to be hoped, the forerunner of many even better in the future, was practically concluded yesterday. That the attendance fell short of the second day, which was specially proclaimed a public holiday in the interests of the Society, is not to be wondered at. Nevertheless, a vast crowd attended, and it is now possible to take a survey of the efforts of the committee which resulted so happily in the three days' show of 1905. On the more technical points, where improvements might be introduced, those experts who exbihited, and those officials who had charge of the display, may be left to make recommendations which do not so readily present themselves to an .outsider. There are some things, however, which all may see manifestly point to certain directions in which improvements can be effected. It seems, perhaps, a little hypercritical to talk of criticism at the present stage. When it is remembered that the work of the committee was practically concentrated into five months, the results of their indefatigible energy can, mostly, only be mentioned for the purpese~ of- accord

ing praise. - It .was natural that the ground should 'cut up to some extent. The coating of grass was remarkable, considering tli short' time 'the committee had for attending to it, and the ?material which they had at their dieposal. That'on certain amount of dust was experienced was inevitable. But each year should see this diminished, and even in another twelve months we may expect to view a compact sole -of couch-grass in most places where it is intendmled it should grow. It is said that the reticulation cost some thousands of pounds, and when it is recollected that water is carried all over the unrivalled slopes of this splendid ground, as well as the oval, this claim can well be understood, for every part 'of the enclosure requires close attention. It is" calculated that 100,000 persons can l ~ acconmmodated, if we take in the tongue of land running in the Karrakatta direction, in positions where they may have a fair view ot what may be"proceeding on the oral. What has been achieved' on the Claremont Show-Ground is one more instance of the immense possession this part. of Australia cab boast of in its artesian supplies. The magnificent underground reservoirs, which Nature pumps to the surface, and which have made the Zoological Gardens and other places what they are, are now being employed by the Royal Agricultural Society in providing an al!-important carpet of dense grass for the linter show site to be found in Australia. The visitor will have, however, his comments to make on obvious requirements, if the ground is to do justice to its site, its object, and the money which has been, and will be, spent upon it. It is clear that many of the tents and temporary sheds will have to be replaced by permanent structures. This may be safely left in the hands of the progressive committee and of that energetic gentleman, Mr. Theo. Lowe, to whom the surprising results achieved during the present week are so largely due. It is easily seen, however, that further provision will hare to be made to shelter from the heat of the sun a more considerable section of those attending. Wednesday, though not an exroesively hot day, was quite warm enough to make the heat distressing to many, especially . as that heat is felt moipre severely on the passage from winter into summer. It is the intention, it is understood, of the committeo to plant shade trees in all directions--an excellent idea, but one that will take some years to effectively realise. A little shade is already supplied by the trees left on the ground, and these, together with the various tenits and houses, promise some shelter from the sun or from the rain, which latter is always a possibility, as many experiences have shown during show time. Even if it costs a little money, a roof might well be added to the grandstand. Not merely would it have added to the. comfort of those

.~whe w ·it their apeda bxainesron Wednemday and yesterday, to put on itheir smartest frocks and look their '-very best, but in a case of a burst of hest, or a shower of rain, such a protwision would be absolutely essential. if tousands are not to be deterred from visiting the ground on a day whiclrthreatene-to be-et-oresceptionally tnrrid. It is a smaller matter, but also cue whichwould addtothecomfort of-the crowds which attended the show, if sign-posts and placards of direction were liberally distributed about the grounds. ring the three days, in:quires were universal as to various which it was desired to reach, but for the mostpart the voyager was unable to satisfy his curiosity. So ele-. mentary a point may, no doubt, however, be. safely left-in the hands of the comlittee. There are two other .matters, one of which might certainly have been rectiied during the present meeting, but the other,' though clearly enough demanded. will require the assistance of the Government. The latter point refers to the train stopping opposite the ground. It is true that the distance from the present platform to the gate is not great, but a few hundred yards have to be traversed. And even a few hundred yards doubled make a serious drain upon the strength and spirits of a visitor, when added to the fatigues always attending a show of any kind, whether it be a museum, a cattle show, a picture gallery, or any gathering, indeed, whereone has to keep on his less, and where the spirit of chance does not keep a faggedattention alive. It is understood that the Claremont Municipal Coundl intend to ask Parliament to dclose the declared road between the show ground and the railway fence. As there is a road-on the other-side of the line. which will serve all purposes, it is not likely that this application will be rejected. In this case, the railway authorities would have a strip a couple of lhains wide to work upon to provide a set of sidings for the accommodation of show -isitors. It is an obstacle that there is a somewhat heavy incline at this spot, and that further all the rails run over a steep embankment, which will require extensive filling works to make a serviceable platform. The advantage, however, would be so great, not merely at the time of the Show. but' for any further sports and entertainments that may be held on this fine oval, that we may take it the Railway Department will not dismiss the idea without some more dogent arguments than at present appear. .The other matter, which might have been improved upon, espec;ially on Wednesday. was the provision for tea. Some of the outside tents supplied tea readily and comfortably, but the number of tea tents was infinitely short of what was required. As to the serving under the grandstand, the less said about it the better. It is no exaggeration to say that had the conveniences been adequate, fifty persons would have been served at this place for one that was able to get a cup of what is still the meost important beverage at a gathering of this kind. There ought to be nothing hke the grandstand arrangements seen on the ground a'second time. The curious , little shed underneath might have served the wants of Guildford. It was ridiculouisly inadequate to the demands of Wednesday. It will much detract from the popularity of the Show days if far amphlr arrangements are not provided for that portion of the tea-loving public who desire to spend the day, for which there is plenty of good reasons, at the Show ground. The .afternoon tea arrangements were the palpable blot of the whole meeting.