Getting Ready for the Royal Show.
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The R.A.S.E. Excellence of Organization again in Evidence. The Town Moor at Doncaster Equipped as a Show Yard a Fortnight before the Opening.
Doncaster, as indicated by its Roman name, Danum, is a place of great antiquity, and of consider
able historical interest. Some idea of the lengthy record as a municipality which this Yorkshire town bears may be gathered from the fact that the mayor, Alderman Clarke, who was present at the Press view at the Royal Showground on Saturday last, is the 718th burgess to occupy the civic chair.
Doncaster's Well-sustained Importance.
Doncaster has always been a town of importance, owing to its dominating position on the Great North Road, and it is due to this location that, more than many cities of similar size, it has recovered its erstwhile prosperity in the present age of motor-vehicle travel. Perhaps the town is best known in modern times by its association with the horse-racing world, and by the presence within its borders of the Great Northern Railway locomotive works.
Last Time in 1891.
Only once before has Doncaster been host to the Royal Agricultural Society of England in connection with its annual outdoor show, and this was in 1891, although Yorkshire has afforded accommodation for the Show on five other occa sions. Three times has it been held in York— in 1848, 1883 and 1900, once in Leeds-1861, once in Hu11-187.3—and the previous meeting in Doncaster.
On Saturday of last week the President, Lord Middleton, extended an invitation to a select company of interested visitors to a private view of the preparations which have been made on the old Town Moor for the 1912 Show, which opens, as our readers will have noted, on the 2nd of next month. The guests—the majority of whom had travelled down in a reserved saloon from town—were conveyed in special trams through the town to the beautiful racecourse at the other side of the borough, and were there received by the President, Lord Middleton, and Sir Gilbert Greenall, the honorary director of the Show.
Lord Middleton presides at Lunch.
Lunch was served in one of the capacious dining rooms at the back of the grand stand, and then the whole company set out on a tramp round the Show ground. After the usual loyal toasts at the luncheon, Lord Middleton, in a short speech, welcomed his guests. His lordship, it may be remembered, has the distinction of occupying the presidency of this Society for the second year in succession. This has not ix-Tarred to any previous pres'dent. Sir Gilbert Greenall referred to the beautiful situation and the adaptability of the ground which was at their disposal this year. He paid a very warm-hearted tribute to the work which has already been accomplished by the local committee. The Mayor of Doncaster, Councillor William Clarke, replied in suitable terms.
He thought the success of the coining Show was a. great deal more dependable than were many of thE other events with which the groune
was associated. Of the other speeches, all of which were commendably short, it was interesting to note that in the course of the remarks which were offered by the editor of the " Doncaster Gazette," he stated that he was particularly interested in the Agricultural Show because before he was an editor he was a farmer. The hearty laughter which followed this remark annoyed Mr. Alderman C. D. Nicholson, a member of the West Riding County Council, who, conceiving that the laughter was at the expense of the farming profession generally, became extremely indignant. Inspecting the Yard.
Beautiful weather had followed on a period of local recurring storms, and the Town Moor racecourse, the scene of so many historic turf contests, looked at its best when the company started out, after an excellent lunch, to tour the ground, Lord Middleton, to his regret., had to leave before this round was commenced, but everybody was well piloted by Sir Gilbert Greenall, Bart., Viscount Ghetwynd, and other gentlemen prominently associated with the conduct of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. Mr. Thomas MeRow, the genial secretary, was, as usual, busily engaged in seeing to the comfort of guests and in answering their many inquiries.
The Panoramic Effect of the Racecourse.
There may have been more beautiful showgrounds— and in the writer's memory there have been during past years, but for spaciousness and for general panoramic effect it is doubtful if the racecourse at Doncaster can be beaten for the purpose. In conversation with Sir Gilbert Greenall, our representative was informed that it was the honorary -director's opinion that never had such a superb panoramic effect been obtained in connection with the arrangement. of the buildings and the parade areas. It must, however, be borne in mind that the consulting surveyors of the Society have had a particularly difficult task this year in order adequately to locate the various sections within the pear-shaped area inside the course itself. Using the Racecourse Buildings.
It has not been found necessary this year to erect the well-known range of " magpie " entrance buildings. At Doncaster, of course, all such offices are more than adequately found in situ. The racecourse buildings in the vicinity of the grand stand, of course, could not be bettered for
the purposes of reception rooms and administrative offices.
A Lesson in Organization. The unique panoramic photograph which we reproduce herewith was taken by one of our staff photographers on Saturday last from the roof of the principal 'Pudding on the course. This picture shows in a useful manner the amount of preparedness which the R.A.S.E. executive achieves by reason of its long-sighted arrangements. Over a fortnight early, we found the whole of the 103 acres of sheds already covered. For all practical purposes the arrangements were complete on the occasion of this early Press view, and it only remained for exhibitors to pour their specialities in to the ground to change the Showyard once more into its usual state of accustomed bustle. Ruston-Proctor First.
The only exhibit to be seen on 15th inst. was that shown by Ruston, Proctor and Co., Ltd., which maker has four of its steam engines already in position, as well as its offices erected. Such an early corner deserves a word of praise, but the stand certainly had a remarkably isolated appearance at that early date.
Forty-seven New Implements.
Providing the weather holds good--but there is always a doubt of it in June, the Doncaster Show should compare favourably with any that have preceded it.. In 1801 at Doncaster there was a credit balance of £101. a result which was satisfying to the executive, but there have been losses of a serious nature in some years elsewhere. The total value of the prizes which are offered amounts to i10,900, of which the Doncaster local committee has secured £2,033. No fewer than 47 entries have been received for the " New Implements " section for which the Society's silver medals are awarded.
A Comprehensive Display.
We shall, in our next issue, give full advance particulars of those exhibits which will be of interestto our readers, and we shall, as on previous occasions, include a guide to the Show which will enable visitors readily to encompass the whole of that portion of the Showground upon which exhibitors, who are associated with this industry, will have displays. There will, as in recent years, be a fine display of oil-engined. tractors and agrimotors. There will be an opportunity of comparing the two methods of land cultivation, namely, by means of cable and by direct haulage, respee• tively. It will be possible to balance the claims of the steam wagon against those of the independent tractor. There will also be representative exhibits of some ot the best-known makes of petroldriven chassis for all classes of industrial work, whilst of accessories and self-contained power sets supplies which particularly appeal to the readers of this journal there will, as on previous occasions, be a thoroughly-good display.