THE CHRISTCHURCH A. AND P. SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 1971, 14 November 1889, Page 1

THE CHRISTCHURCH A. AND P. SHOW.

(Br Oub Special Repoeteb.) FIRST DAY. Chbistchubch, November 7. The grand November show of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association opened to-day at the new show grounds near Adding" ton. The weather changed last night to light, but almost continuous showers, and to-day became very chilly, so that! few buMhose called by duty were present until the afternoon, when rain ceased, and the grass soon drying, visitors could move about in comfort, and • the attendance increased to about an average. The. total number of entries is 1448, as against 1497Jasfc year, and 1429 in 1887. Sheep show a falling off from 510 last year to 378 on this occasion, principally in merinos, which have dropped from 137 to 34. This is said fep be intended by the majority of the absentees as expression of their disapproval of the inaction of the association in reference to the alleged entries of housed and clothed sheep in the classes restricted to sheep .that have not.- been- so treated, but no concerted action appears to-have been taken by the, malcontents. Of cattle, there are 130 entries against 109 last year, and horses 213 against 176, other sections showing .unimportant variations'. The arrangements of- the show were unchanged, except that a telegraph office has been opened at tbe pavilion., The able secretary (Mr M. Murphy) and his staff of -assistants', had everything in working order, and the president (Mr John Fergusson) and the members of the committee were assiduous in their attention to judges, exhibitors, visitors, and even reporters. Mr Burke, catered in three luncheon booths at three prices, and among the many other refreshment places, the. Women's' Christian Temperance Union provided luncheons and teas uncontaminated by alcohol. ; Th» exhibits to be adjudicated upon on; the opening day were in their places well up to time, but some of the judges were dilatory in beginning their work, and in the heavier classes, such as Lincoln and English Leicester sheep, cattle, draught horses, and implements, the awards were not affixed until after a considerable portion of the live stock had been removed to other quarters for the night. SHEEP. The merino classes were deprived, of almost all interest by the absence 'of competition. Messrs Mallock and Lance's Horsley, Downs sheep were only opposed in the fine combing classes by the,wrinkley,heavily-yolked Silesian sheep bred by Mr P. Roberts, and, as the judges would give no consideration to the latter, the Horsley Downs flock had a series of bloodless victories. Their champion ram was, however, not so good a type as- the second to him, and this was the estimate held at the Northern show, last -week. Some of these sheep verged on strong combing quality. They are of robust type, and useful mutton frame, and carry & good weight of fleece. Mr Roberts' are smaller sheep, and on (his account do not meet the approval of many N«;w Zealand flockmasters, bub their fleeces are dense and fine, and bring a good price, and the sheep are better mutton than they look. Ali Mr Roberts' rams for pale were bought in one line to-day at a satisfactory price, though' he did not get an award in this section. There was a little competition among the Northern flockowners iv strcng combing merinos. Messrs M'Farlaue, of Lyndon, fiarried off the championship with a very handsome specimen of the Murray flock, imported by them a few months ago, and evidently well cared for since. Mr R. W. Chapman (Mount Palm), Mr W. C. Nicoll (White Rock), and Mr Walter M'Farlane (Kaiwara), were also successful in this section with sheep of the Murray- blood and of good general excellence, and Mr Roberts got two seconds, on what xule was cot; easily discernible. , English Leicesters were a very good section. Mr P. O. Threlkeld took the champion prize with an aged ram of particularly good build and quality, and the champion ewe,.was a pretty little sheep bred by Mr J. Haydon. Mr J. Bonifant, however, was the largest, prize-taker with five firsts, including those gained in the boused and clothed classes, in which cone of the entries appeared to have been artificially treated. "Mr Threlkeld took three firsts, and Mr Haydon two. Mr F_ C. Murray was most successful of the other exhibitors. The celebrated Every Maclean flock, which was recently bought right out by Messrs C. Newton and Son, was represented, but the sheep were so much out of conaition that their appearance was fatal to their chance of prizes. Border Le/cesters as a class were of good quality. The Hon. M. Holmes was first in four 3f tbe naturally treated classes, and won- both medals. His first prize ewe hogget wa& perhaps t>he best of her age ever seen here,.andhis sheep generally were brought -out better than the jthers. Messrs LUtle Brothers, John Reid, A. Murdoch, John Boag, the School of Agriculture, md Mr A. R. Wailis were the other exhibitors, md ali received mention. The housed section was left to Messrs Little Brothers, . but the advantage of shelter was not apparent except in ;he condition of the wool. Lin col ds had a good competition, and were, of pre&t excellence. Otago breeders again held nost of the winning cards, tbe Hon.-M. Holmes aking both medals and two other firsts. 'Mr 0.

Withell, of Ellesmere, was first in ram hoggets, and ewes with lambs, with very fine sheep ; but not of the massive stamp of Mr Holmes 1 . Mr W. Mains (whose fine sheep had not recovered from their long railway journey in very hot weather) was well .up on the priz,e list; and Messrs H. Overbon,- The Land Company (Totara), A. M. Olark, and M. Friedlander were among the other exhibitors. Messrs Overton and Withell exhibited flock sheep in the housed and clothed classes, and divided -the awards. In Romneys there was nothing to to touch Mr John Reid's sheep, though Mr R. Cobb sent in some capital sheep. Southdowns were a very nice lot, of sheep, very much of one type. Mr S. Garforth's recent importations— the fine ram Restitution, brad by Mr Henry Webb (Streetby Hall), and Jubilee, bred by the Duke of Richmond— attracted a lot of attention during the day. They are of rare quality, but having been shorn in quarantine in Sydney in March they appeared at a disadvantage, and -only gained second and highly commended respectively, Mr H. G*. Washb'ourne being first and champion with one of his own breeding, a fine ram and comparing favourably with the new comers in every point of the breed save that the dryness of the wool is more apparent in the colonially-bred sheep. Mr John Deans was first infour classes, and Mr Garforth and Mr Washbourne were almost equal seconds, competition being confined to these three exhibitors. Shropshires were represented by three gpod rams sent in by Mr John Grigg, and Mr Max Friedlander's grand Hampshires met very faint opposition, the only award against him being a second, whioh went to his last year's prize hogget now owned by Mr Starkey. These sheep came out well, and received as much admiration as any on the ground. The- crossbreds were splendid, especially those sireds by Hampshires, and in the fat sheep classes "this cross "also was in the ascendant, and but for some pens being irregular in weight and some of the sheep too heavy they would -have swept all before them. Mr S. Garforth's Southdown crosses of perfect quality were selected for the prize for freezers with a 701b limit. With the 801b limit, and special consideration given to early maturity, Mr Friedlander won the Loan and Mercantile Company's prize; while for Messrs Miles and Oo.'s prize, with a 701b limit, and quality the chief consideration, Mr John Dean's h'alfbred Southdowns were victorious. Mr James Little's extra exhibits of his half bred breed of sheep were very highly commended, CATTLE Were not so numerous as they should have been. In the senior class of shorthorns the Ellesmere opponents, Mr Gabbie's May Duke (bred by Mr Deans) and Mr Doud's Alvies Flower Duke 11, were the only entries, and the former again won, but he was not up to champion, form, and this honour went to Mr Dean's grand three-year-old bull Gunterstone's Florist IV, who this year reversed the position he occupied last year with the fifth of the name. In two-year-olds, yearlings, and calves Mr John Reid was first, his young stock being remarkably forward. Indeed the two-year-old, Duke of Glenroy 11, a very handsome rich roan, was almost like a three-year-old in size. Mr Deans was close up in each of these olasses. The female championship was won by Mr Dean's grand five-i year-old cow Flower of Brunswick VI, whose dam, Flower ef Brunswick IV, was also dam of the champion bull The Elderslie Red Rose of Oxford 111 was second, and Mr Watson's Lady Darlington II was third. , This was a splendid class, Reid's Red Rose of Oxford I with two of her progeny beating the champion in the family daes. Mr Wm. Watson's Young Pretty V was the best of three good cows in milk. Mr Deans was first and second in three-year-old heifers, beating Mr Watson and Mr Reid ; bat in the three younger heifer " classes Mr Reid was victorious over the Riccarton representatives. AH the animals were of the highest promise. Mr Deans' Shorthorn bull Duke of Waterloo, just imported, was shown for exhibition only, and was the centre of an admiring circle. He is not so massive as his grandsire Duke of Gunteretone, but is on grand lines and of magnificent quality. Polled Angus were well represented, in point of quality, from the herds of Totara estate and Mr A. R. Wallis (Southland). The former were first and second, and the latter very highly commended for bulls ; and Mr Wallis was first and second unopposed for cows. Two nice but old cows from Mr H. P. Hill's herd wtre all the Channel Islanders shown, and Ayrshires were, with few exceptions, from Mr James Little's AUandale herd, very nice and well bred, but wanting the style and condition of the crack Otago-breds. One of Messrs M'Farlane's breeding was placed third to two of Mr Little's. The useful little Bretons shown by Mr T. H. Green, and the champion milkers, the Dutch Friesians, from Longbeach were greatly admired. Fat cattle were of magnificent quality and weight. Messrs M'Nichol and Hunt brought down a draft from the Waikato, of which an immense crossbred bullock, of quite a ton shop j weight, was first in the open class, and two grand Herefords second and third in the other classes. Messrs Garforth, Deans, and Ferguson were successful in the order named. PIGS were "shown by Messrs Jumes Rowe, Jonathan Brown, E. Dauvergne, Thomas Clarkson and Son, E. Clarkson, and other less known breeders. In Berkshires, some of the decisions at recent country shows were reversed, Mr Brown now carrying off the most of the prizes. In Yorkshires, Mr Rowe was still invincible, some good bows from Sunnysido Asylum being his most dangerous opponents. Horses and miscellaneous exhibits will be dealt with to-morrow. SECOND DAY— FRIDAY. November 8. The morning of the second day of the show broke rather threateningly, but only a few drops fell during the day, and an enormous crowd visited the gwunds. If anybody had said four years ago that the then proposed new grounds would soon be too small they would have been ridiculed, but to-day the splendid grounds were bo crowded that it was difficult to get about, and almost impossible to get near any attractive exhibit. The trotting track was encircled all round from three to six or eight deep, and every point which afforded a glimpse of the parade of horses, or cattle, or of the hunters' competition, was thronged. THE LUNCHEON. His Excellency the Governor arrived soon after 11 o'clock, and after examining the show was entertained at luncheon at 1 o'clock by the commifctee.'Some 300 guests being present. The President (Mr John Ferguson) was in the chair, supported by a large array of notables. After luncheon (which was served by Mr J. Burke in a most sumptuous and elegant style) the toasts of " The Queen," " The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family," were proposed by the President and enthusiastically honoured. The President then proposed " The health of his t Excellency the Governor, the Earl of Onslow," whom he had the greatest pleasure of welcomin'gt' He toped his Excellency would visit the siow>Jyear by year, and thus have the oppor-

tunity of noting the steady progress of this young colony. The exhibition to-day would show to what we had already attained. He expressed the feeling of every one present, and every one in Canterbury, in .congratulating his Excellency upon the restoration to health of his son, Lord Cranley. They regretted the absence of Lady Onslow and the other members of his •Excellency's family, and hoped they would yefc have the pleasure of welcoming her ladyship. The toast was drunk with musical honours and cheers. His Excellency expressed gratification at his reception and at. the kindly way in which his efforts and actions had been regarded. He had studied, the colony, to be able to inform the Imperial Government of the position and resources of New Zealand, and' to make them known to people at Home who were on the look out for fields of investment and settlement.. The prejudices at Home were many, but not insurmountable, and he regarded .the colony as worthy oftheattention of those at Home who were not content with the sweet simplicity of the 3 per cents., or the diminishing dividends of Mr Goschen. He had observed the kauri timber and gum digging industries, the trade between the South' Sea Islands' and Aucklahd^arid had seen with wonder and awe the management of certain financial institutionsin that city. The import trade of Wellington and the advance of the West Coast had also claimed his attention. Now he was seeing the great province of Canterbury, whose magnificent fields and large area of splendid agricultural land, literally needed only to be tickled with the hoe, to laugh with the harvest, and where loyalty to her Majesty was a distinguishing characteristic. The Hon. W. Rolleston proposed "The Ministry and Legislature." The Hon. E. J. C. Stevens in replying referred particularly .to the Government institutions, especially the School of Agriculture. It was intended to persevere with their measure of reform, and if they secure, the - support they expected, Canterbury would be made not only the cradle, but .the training ground of our agricultural system and of agricultural education. His Excellency the Governor proposed " Success to the Canterbury A. and P. Association." He considered this show the outward and visible sign of the richness and wealthjof the province, and spoke of the advantages of such shows for the interchange of stock and of ideas. The revenue of three millions from wool; and half a million from frozen mutton spoke of the importance of the sheep farming -interest in' New Zealand, and even should mutton fall below its present price, New Zealand farmers should console themselves with the .reflection that for every penny a pound it were down more of the poor people of England were able to enjoy it. But we should not be content with exporting mutton and wool. A line of our old nursery rhyme spoke of- flannel waistcoats in December and white trousers in July, and this applied^not only to England, butto America. It did not apply to New Zealand, and we should consider this and endeavour to send fruit, game, and so on from this colony to England, so that such delicacies might be enjoyed' there all the year round. The flax industry had become of great importance, aud his information led him to believe thab there was no fear of the collapse which some had predicted. Tourists also, when they could find out how they were to get from place to place, would visit New Zealand. His Excellency then confided to the party that he had a hobby, which was "small holdings," and he had been so foolish as to write a book on the subject. He was pleased that a small farms competition was one of the features of the catalogue of this show. When it became known at Home that interest was .being taken in small holdings, and they could show that men of small means willing to work hard could settle and make a competency here, it would promote immigration. His earnest desire was for the prosperity of the colony. , . Sir John Hall, patron of the association, replied, and made special reference to the -absence of entries from the principal breeders of merino sheep. The committee could not blame themselves. The objections made at the previous show had a patient, painstaking,' and exhaustive inquiry, and the committee could find no evidence justifying them in excluding the exhibits complained of. The matter would occupy the attention of the committee, and they trusted that rules and regulations would be made which would restore the success of this important and valuable section of the Bhow. ' The Judges, the Visitors, and the President were the other toasts, all, especially the last, being heartily honoured. ! The bearing of Lord Onslow's remarks was regarded with great satisfaction during the afternoon, and it is evident that New Zealand will not now want a champion at Home. THE JUDGING. The most serious part of to-day's business was the judging of the blood horses, ' hackneys, hunters, and ponies, and in this connection a grave complaint has to be made in that though ail but the hunters were judged before lunch the awards were not obtainable by either exhibitors or representatives until nearly halfpast 5, an hour and a-half after most of the horses had left the ground. The hunters' competitions and judging occupied most of the afternoon, and were blamed for keeping the' other awards unknown. With this exception the arrangements were good. It is to be hoped that the association will see their way to build a stand from which those willing to pay a moderate admission fee may witness the judging and parades of horses and cattle. ' Hoeses. — There was a capital show of draught stock ia all but the working classes. Ten grand Clydesdales entered for the open oUbs of entires — Mr Wm. Boag's Lord Dunmore, Mr John Boag's General Gordon, Mr Denis M'Kendry's Diplomacy (champion at Aohburton), Mr Choak's Pure Diamond, and Mr M. M'Farlane's Coldstream (first at Rangiora), all well known in the ring. Each had supporters for the. premiership, but very few anticipated that the honour would be awarded to Mr Leonard White's King of the Vanquishers— a sterling horse, but by no means a champion nor without fault. General Gordon was second, Lord Dunmore third, and Mr M. M'Farlane's G\)od Hope, by Lord Salisbury, from Scotch Annie, was highly ' commended. In three-year-olds, Mr Wm. Boag's Conqueror, a handsome brown, with grand bone and feet and good size, was placed first; Mr John Boag's Middle Rigg, by Pure Diamond, an even better horse in some respects, was second; Mr W. Swan's Duke of Argyle was first in two-year-olds, and Mr William Gilmour's Earl of Glasgow second. In yearling colts Mr Alexander M'Keozie's Chatham, by Young Banker, from a Renfrew Jock mare, was firss ; Mr John Dean's colt, by Lord Dunmore, second ; and Mr John Reid's Young Banker colt third. In a very good ring Mr John Boag's Marchioness was first brood mare ; Mr M. M'Farlane'a Fanny Fern was second ; and Mr W. Boag's Auckland bred Primrose third; and three grand mares they are. Three-year-old fillies were also a grand ring, and the judges exhausted' their supply of tickets upon them, though the exceptions to their favours were not the, worst of the class. Two-year-old fillies were also of great merit. Mr John Reid was first and second with Queen 111 and Eemerald II ; and the Elderslie stud also eup-

plied the winning yearling filly Laura Foley, by Young Banker. The presence of the first of Lord Donmore's stock gave additional interest to- the yearling classes, and though they did not attain to .the highest honours they were shapely and of good ; substance and quality. Mr John Reid'B Laura. M'Pherson was first in dry mares, and took the medal for best mare, but was defeated by Mr M. M'Farlane's wonderful old mare Fanny in the family classes. There was little competition in the working? classes, the Ashburton entries haviDg been too late. Mr John Boag's yearling Pansy (by General Gordon), Mr Robert Haskett's two-year-old Briokhouse (by New Style), and Mr Jennings Moffet's three-year-old Jess (by Wodlands) were first in their respective classes in the Oaks, which brought out a grand lot of fillies, this competition being evidently a success. In the blood section Stoneyhurst, furnished into a picture of a sire, defeated the handsome Ravenscraig in the open class, and Total Eclipse (by St. George— Miss Rawdon) was much more even and better quality than the big Enchanter in the three^year-olds. In two-year-olds The Arbiter, full brother the racehorses Sir Jujias and Road Metal, and promising to be better than either, was first. An Apremont — Beeswing colt came next, and Satan (byChancellor) third. Beeswing (Athol Daisy's dam) : was placed above Farewell (Marlborough's dam) in brood mares. Two good Ravenscraig three-year-old fillies were alone in theie class, 4 and entitled their sire to a first. • ..-:■-'■ Though unopposed in the sireand progeny class, Archduke was shown in the hackney sire's class, and having improved in physique since he left the turf, gained first prize. Billingsgate Boy .(bylcenian) was second, Darlinghurst (by Bundoora) third ; and such celebrities as Victor and Blue Gown were unplaced. ; Chance It (by Chancellor) beat two of Berlin's get in two-year-old colts; and Blue Boy, -by Blue Gown, beat a good ring of yearlings. •' r < Some good hacks were shown in the 15st class, but in the list class most were unsound. Ladies' hacks. were,better than usual. Mrs B. Bayley's Bezique (by Trump. Card) was first, and the Hon. E. W. Parker'? well-known Pearl was second. The hunters, up to 1556 underwent a long examination over fences and in the ring. The Mount, first; Wild Irj&hm&n,. second ; Mexico, third ; were the placed. r horses ' in a good class. In the 12st division Pippen (owned by Me Ly'on, master of the Christchurch hounds) was first, the old Grand National hero Faugh-a-Ballagh second, and Industry third ; Fenian getting a' special award for his good jumping. Wild Irishman won the leaping match, with Bachelor second. The hew importation, Orpheus, was the centre of attraction in the carriage entires class. He will be of undoubted benefit to the breed of carriage horses and hacks if mated with mares of a good quality" \ and sound bone,, but his size and plainness vyiU be an objection to his use with anything coarse. . The messenger • torse Tam-6-Shanter was" second and took the Governor's- gold medal for the, best carriage . horse bred in the colony. Some young Berlins made a good show in this section. Dog cart horses were good, a handsome chestnut, by Tikaq, being first. Mr J. S. Rutherford's four-in-hand ' team of chestnuts was the only entry, and was deservedly first; and of two smart tandem teams Mr Cowlishaw's was considered "better than two geldings,' by Berlin, frotn a 8100d t Royal mare. Mr Crossley's Aladdin was the first prize pony stallion, and the ponies all round, though not numerous, were particularly good. Waikari was first in the trotting' horse class. DOGS, ETC. ' ' , Sheep dogs included a' famous collie in Messrs Henderson and Horrax's imported dog Mac, who was at once selected for first honours, and a better specimen has never been J shown here. The others, both rough and smooth, were really good; several pedigree dogs being among them. The implements will remain on their stands to-morrow, the crowd to-day preventing anything like a close inspection. ' ' \ THIRD DAY-SATURDAY. November 9. The closing day of the show was beautifully fine, and there was a good attendance, mostly intent on business. The implement makers did a good business, and some satisfactory sales, of stock were effected. Dairy produce first calls for a few remarks. In the export of butter in kegs* class, Mr F. Morris (Oakura) also took Mason, Struthers, and Co/s prize for the best separator butter, William Paynter (Taranaki) being second in each instance. The prizes for jars or tins of salt butter went to the Lincoln and Ellesmere district, Mrs G. Thompson (of Prebbleton) taking first and special prizeß, the Sefton Dairy Factory gaining high commendation. For fresh butter, Mrs W. H. Jameson (Leeston) was first. The cheese was very fine. The Inch Clutha Dairy ComDany was first for both old and new cheese. Mr Alfred Penny (of Halswell) took the prize for the best assortment, and Mr A. M. Dawson (Seacliff) took two seconds and a third for his cheese. The Flemingtbn (Ashburtjon) Factory sent good cheese, but at present it appears that' Otago is ahead of Canterbury, in cheese, as Taranaki is in butter. t Hams and bacon were quite up to the stani dard, though the larger curers did no,t compete. Mr W. Ohainey (St. Albans) was first for hams, and Faith and Co. (Christchurch) for bacon ; and the Lyttelton Times prize for farmers' hams and bacon was wen by Mr W. H. M'Lelland, with Mr G. Stephens second. Most of the exhibits in this competition were evidently the work of ex- | perts. Manures were all imported, and there was only one entry in each of the five classes. The Lincoln College analyist placed Goulding's manures first, second, and fourth, and Fison's fertilisers third and fifth in order of value, pronouncing all the samples of very high fertilising | power. In New Zealand manufactures and produce ; the Eaiapoi Company's splendid exhibit of woollen goods was conspicuous, bub the sombre patterns of their tweeds were remarked. Beer and ale ran the Dunedin product close. The Crown Brewery was first and Manning and Co. second in both light and heavy ales, and also in porter. There was a capital collection of clay goods. Messrs Luke Adams, C. W. Fisher and Co., and John Deans were most successful, but the Springfield Coal Company and the Grey Valley Coal Company had meritorious exhibits, the West Coast Company's fire clay goods especially being well made and of great resistance. Cooking ranges showed several improvements. Messrs G. G. Stead and E. W. Davidson exhibited large collections of farm and garden seeds. The most interesting of the extra exhibits were a collection of eggs of fancy poultry from Mr A. Saunders, M.H.R., and a really good sample of preserved eggs from Mr W. Blake (Riccarton). Mrs Fisher, a large dairy keeper, showed a very useful butter cooler on the sweating principle, which would be very useful in dairies in hot weather. Hales' rope and twine, and Lightband's belting were of the best workmanship and quality. Implements included some very useful novelties. Mason, Struthers,' and Co. devoted their chief attention to dairy appliances, for which

their collection received a special five guinea prize. Besides the Laval separators and the many batter workers, churns, &c. which they had previously shown, they had now in work the latest Laval separator with milk heater. By this machine the milk instead of Ifeing heated to the, required temperature in the tank is passed into the separator in a thin'stream, over which' is a glass dome or bell, under which is a coil, of steam pipe, Another useful attachment to this separator is a small turbine wheel, which raises the skim milk into a tank as high, as 16ft* convenient for being run injbo vessels on carta to be taken away. . The machinery was shown several times a day, and a skilful dairymaid showed how butter should be churned and worked 7 , and dispensed dainty buttered biscuits, which proved the excellence of the methods employed. Deering's new. steel binder was also shown by Messrs Mason, Struthers, and Co. Messrs Andrews and Beava'ri had a great array of their. lamed chaffcutters and baggers, of which the Auatr.alasian machine^ ma trial : in : Aastralia f last leasqiP cut, cleaned, and bagged at the rate of four tons of chaff in an hour. This firm has perfected a. Cocksfoot threshing machine for hill country, which gained) a special award as a new invention. Splendid samples of colonially grown red and white clover and cow grass seeds were shown, and" were 'very greatly admired. Messrs 'Recce and Sons- showed 'the Hansen cream" Bepa'rator,'a 'very useful * machine, which can be worked by hand and requires. ho setting; als6 Burinestetfs hand separator, the Victoria" separator, the Paragon creamer," and a great variety of dairy, appliances; also Howard's latest at eel binder. ' Mr John Anderson, showed the Buckeye elevator and Lowdown reapers — the latter with a number of improvements which make it one of the most useful machines offered to farmers. Mr Anderson also showed Aveling and Porter's engines,- and an artistic and useful collection *of iron . gates — the Canterbury, Foundry make. '. Messrs Reid and Gray Bhowed . iheir reaper, and < binder (a credit to colonial in; dustry),and! a. grand- lot of- ploughs, drills,' harrowfljchaffcutters, and other-farm requisites. Messrs M'Laren and M'Donald's big,compound road locomotive, geared for three speeds from four to ten miles an hour, was their central attraction. The Canterbury Seed Company; per Mr ;C. A. Lees (late of the Loan and Mercantile produce staff), Bhowed his patent fog and trefoil sheller, which, though specially de-. signed vv f or grass and clover seeds, can be used for any seed or 'grain. Cocksfoot cleaned by this machine gave 10 per cent, more dean seed, and a better sample than the ordinary machines. Messrs Wood, Shand, and Co. exhibited Wood's harvester, including the improved single apron machine. , Messrs, P. and D. Duncan's ploughs, including their double - furrow digging plough, harrows, , drills, including one . for combined grain or seed and , manure. Hunt's patent potato planter, which was recently described in the Witness as a seed and' manure dropper .to plant turnips or mangolds lOin ,to 15in apart. Messrs Booth and M'Donald showed their, ploughs, including diggers and pulverisers; the new Carlyle flax, stripper, which is meeting great success, and a vast assortment of the well-known Carlyle implements. Messrs Morrow, Bassets, and, Co. showed the newest M'Cormick reapers and binders, which have improvements even -upon last season's well • nigh , perfect machines* of which 400 were sold in New Zealand. - The Massey reapers, with very little alteration from last season, was in the hands of Messrs Friedlander Bros\ of Ashburton ; and the Brantfdrd, which ia already in the front rank of favouritism, was shown by Mr Melville Gray, of Timaru. The Farmers' Co-operative Association showed the Hornsby machines, and Messrs J. F. Ward and Co: introduced the Triumph reaper. It is impossible within your space limits to mention the enormous number of other valuable implements on the ground.' The carriages also, of which some spl n ndidly built and painted vehicles were shown by Messrs Brabner and Son, Boon and Stevens, Hpwland, Steel Bros., Moore and Co., and others, cannot be noticed in detail, but it must be said that in the lightness of construction, excellence of design, material, and workmanship, this branch of the show shows a marked advance. The number of exhibits is a sure indication that there is more money to spend in the community. Cheistchttech, November 9. By the Penguin to-night a consignment of 80 purebred Lincoln rams and ewes are despatched to Mr G. V." Shannon's sheep run in Rangitikei district. Mr Shannon purchased them from Mr Henry Averton's stud flock. The stock.sales at the metropolitan show were well attended.but generally the prices obtained were unsatisfactory. Mr Charles WitheU's Lincoln rams realised the highest prices in that section, up to 67gs being given for picked sheep. Mr Dormer, of Marlborough, secured most of them, giving as high as 32gs. The cattle submitted were nearly all withdrawn, and only one horse changed hands. '