402 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and plans and drawings have been made by the engineer. With these im- 

 provements, I think the exhibits would be unloaded promptly and reloaded 

 at the close of the fair so as to make it satisfactory to exhibitors and the 

 Society. The Business Committee should be authorized to continue the 

 work of making this arrangement with the Grand Trunk Ry. 



A large number of exhibits in packages and less than car lots are shipped, 

 billed to the fair grounds, which, owing to non-prepayment of freight and 

 lack of instructions are delayed at the freight stations. I think if the So- 

 ciety should provide a competent man for a few days before the fair, who 

 could aid in forwarding these shipments to the grounds, it would be so 

 greatly appreciated that it would be worth the small expense it would cost. 



The transportation for passengers was reasonably good. Those arriving 

 on the D. & M. division of the Grand Trunk are of course well cared for. 

 People who arrive, in the city on other roads and by suburban lines are car- 

 ried by the D. U. R. with reasonable promptness and convenience. No 

 accidents occurred on the electric line, and although at times the cars were 

 crowded, they handled the crowd very nicely. 



CONCESSIONS. 



The returns from sale of concessions on the grounds were very much 

 larger than at any previous fair, the total receipts from this source alone 

 being $28,105.76. 



Proper facilities for dining rooms and lunch stands at the fair are a very 

 important consideration to visitors. In the absence of a permanent dining 

 room and rooms or pavilions for lunch stands erected with proper conven- 

 iences for shelter and cleanliness it is difficult to secure temporary quarters 

 for these purposes that are entirely satisfactory. AVhile there were suf- 

 ficient eating facilities on the grounds this year some of the stands were 

 owned by parties Avho did not keep them up to the proper standard of quality 

 or cleanliness. This is a matter that can be improved and will no doubt 

 receive proper attention from the committee in charge. There are some 

 concessions asked for from which good revenue can be obtained, but which 

 are of themselves of doubtful character, or obtained imder the guise of in- 

 nocent amusements suddenly change to decidedly immoral things. In 

 my opinion the Society should not sell privileges for any gambling schemes 

 no matter how nuich may be offered for them, and contracts should l)e drawn 

 so as to prevent any abuse of their terms in this direction. 



The Midway feature of the fair seems to be in demand l)y the people who 

 visit the fair, and can be made a source of revenue and at the same time be 

 conducted in a manner unobjectionable to the people by securing high- 

 class entertainments and having them conducted in an orderly manner. 



GATES AND ADMISSIONS. 



The revenue of the society is so largely dependent upon the administra- 

 tion of the Gates and Ticket Department that it needs the most careful 

 attention. Outside of the Press, who render the Society much unpaid ser- 

 vice, there is no reason for an extended distribution of complimentary tickets,, 

 and I advise limiting the number as far as possible. 



The matter of free admissions for exhibitors and their helpers and for 

 those who hold concessions on the groimds is quite difficult to deal with, not 

 so much in the matter of giving these admissions to the proper people, but 

 in preventing their abuse. The increased growth in attendance at the fair 



