FORT ALBERT AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 54, 5 March 1888, Page 3

FORT ALBERT AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

The nineteenth annual show, held afc Port Albert on Wednesday; was in every sense a success. The weather was all that; cotild be desired. Afc an early hour In the day visitors put in an appearance from the surrounding districts ; indeed, many arrived the previous evening from Wairoa, Paparoa, Kaiwaka, and Mahurangi was well represented. The s.s. Kina, froni Helensville, brought a largo number of Auckland citizens—friends who tried, and certainly succeeded, in contributing to the pleasure and profits of the day. The shew was held on the Recreation Ground. The live .stock was shown in substantially-erected peris, and the fruit and field and dairy produce in the Temperance Hall close by. The number of exhibits exceeds that of any previous show, and in point of merit the best ever held here. There were 40 horses, 42 cattle, and 30 entries of sheep. The most successful prize winner was Mr A. Hood, of Kaipara Flats. Mr S. Wyabt, Tauhoa, and Mr G. Dibble, of Wellsford, took several prized for live stock. In field and dairy produce i Mr E. Marcroft, of Wharehine, again, as on several previous occasions, carried off nfany prizes. .Miss A. Ward, of Wellsford, and" Mrs T. Gubb took first pme3 for butter. The display of fruit was very good, Mr E. M. Gubb taking the premier position as an exhibitor and the winner of many prizes. The Messrs Becroft," T. Uttine, and E. Pipvr showed grand collections of fruit. Mr Stott, of Wharehine, succeeded in obtaining first prize for best milking cow against 12 competitors. Perligos the greatest interest was taken in. the competition amongst the hoi'SfiS. lsov>; by no means did the judges of the horses carry the general public opinion with them iil several of their awards. For the special prizes (silver cup, given by Mr T Morrin, for best hack), Mr E. Coates, of Puhi, was declared the winner; but many competent persons favoured the horse owned and ridden by Mr R. Ross. Mr Wallace, one of the judges of sheep, said that the sheep shown would take prizes at an Auck land show, but that there was room for improvement in the cattle exhibited. Mr M. Hardincr, another judge, said there ought to have been a better display of ladies hacks. The gentlemen had kept all the best hacks for themselves. A special feature of the show was a strong competition amongst the ladies for the honour of prize for best bread. There were 24 entries for bread. Four ladies—Mrs Plummer, Mrs Marsh, Mrs A. Head, and Mrs J. Wilson—undertook the difficult task to pronounce judgment on tho numerous exhibits of jam. Mr J. Becroft had a splendid extra exhibit of a large collection of honey in section boxes. The following is the prize list: — Horses. — Judges : ' Messrs Wallace, Harding, and Allen. Best Entire: None entered. Agricultural Horses, nine entries: First prize, A. Hood ; second, Jas. Morrison. Ditto, under three years, three entries : First prize, J. Morrison ; second, C. Judd Hack, nine entries : First prize, W. Angove; second, K. Stuart. Draught Foal, one entry : First prize, - C. Judd. Nag Foal, three entries; First prize, G. Dibble; second, J. Morrison. Pony, under fourteen hands : First prize, W, M. Hamilton ; second, F.-Elliott; R. Ross commended. Agricultural Horse, under two years: No entry. Ladies' Hack, three entries : First prize, Miss Dibble ; second, Mrs Booth. Gentleman's Hack, up to fourteen stone, special prize, four entries : First prize, E. Coates. Cattle. — Judges : Messrs A. Elliott, Wallace, and R. Ross. Best Bull, four entries: First prize, J. A. Shepherd ; second, G. Dibble. Bull, under two years, one entry : First prize, T. Fletcher. Bull, under two months, two entries : First prize, W. Browne; second, D. Smith. Cow in milk, or calf, twelve entries : First prize, M. Stott; second, Joel Grant. Heifer, under 3 years, six entries : First prize, C. Dibble; second, E. Hard wick, Heifers, under 2 years, 10 entries : First prize, B. M, Gubb ; second, W. Browne. Heifers, Calf under 9 months, five entries : First prize, M. Stott ; second, E. Hardwick. Pigs.'—Judges same. Best Sow, two entries : First prize, W. Browne ; second, J. Shepherd. Sow under twelve months, six entries : First prize, J. Coupland. Beet Boar, one entry : First prize, J. Coupland. Boar under twelve months, one entry: First prize, G. Dibble. Sheep.—Judge3 same. Best three Jwes, any age or breed: Mr A. G. Bartlett's special prize awarded to A. Wood. Best Ram, seven entries : First prize, S. W yatt; second, S. Wyatt. Ram lamb, any breed, two entries : First prize, A. Hood ; second, A. Hood. Pen of 3 2-toothed ewes, four entries : First prize, A. Hood ; second, S. Wyatt. Ewes (3), any age, six entries : First prize, A. Hood i second, G. Beecher. Pen of 3 ewe lambs, any breed, five entries : First prize, S. Wyatt; second.G. Beecher. Poultry.—Judges: Messrs J. Coupland, Cliff, and Marsh. Best Cock and Hen, any pure breed, two entries: First prize, D. Becroft; second, D. Becroft. Datry Produce. - Judges : Messrs J. CouDland, Cliff, and H, Marsh. Best Keg Salt" Butter, two entries : First prize, U Pearman ; second, A. Neal Fresh Butter,' week old, ten entries : First Prize, Miss A. Ward; second, E. Marcroft. Fresh Butter, new, seven e»fc»es: First prize, T. A,

Ciubb ; second. Jas. Giant. Cheese, two entries : First Prize, Miss Becroft; second, Miss Becroft. Bacon, 201b, two entries: First prize, E. Mai-croft; second. E. Matcroft. Ham, one, three entries : First prize, E. Marcroft ; second, W. Heffovd. Field Phouuck.—Judges-: Messrs D. C. Duff, j. Coupland, and J'l. Marsh, Wheat, 201b, live entries ; First peize, W. Stables ; eecond, T. A. Oubb. "Oats, 201b, four entries: Ist prize, R. Ross; second: E. Marcroft. Field Peas, 201b, four entries : Ist prize, C. Judd: second, A. Xcal. Field Beans, 20Ibs, six entries : Ist prize, A. Eeal; second; W. Heiford. Maize in Cob, 201b : Not worthy of a prize. Ryegrass Seed, 101b, four entries; Ist prize, E. Marcroft; second, Joseph Grant. Cocksfoot Grass-seed, 101b, severi entries: Ist prize, E. Marcroft; second, E. Marcroft. Maori White Potatoes, 101b, two entries : Ist prize, F. Begrott j second, J. G. Turner. Kidney Potatoes, 101b ; three entries ; Ist prize, B. M. Gubb; second, A. Neal. Potatoes, other sorts (two first and two second prizes), thirteen entries : Ist prize, Messrs B. Beecroft and J. B. Turner; second prizes, Messrs P. Beeroft and E. Marcroft. Field Beans, 201b, six entries : Ist prize, A. Neal ; second, W. Heflord. Mangolds : None shown.

Garden Produce.—Judges same. Collection of Vegetables, one entry : First prize, C. D. Cray. Pumpkin, two entries: First prizej VV. Partridge ; second, A. Neal. Onions, 10, 2 entries : First prize, W. Ramsbottom ; second, F. Ward. Potato Onions, 10, two entries: First prize, B. M. Gubb ; second, W. Partridge. Windsor Beans, one quart, seven entries : First prize, D. Belcher ; second, F. Ward. Garden Peas, one quart, nine entries : First prize, C. Judd ; second, p. Becroffc.

Fkuit.—Judges, MessrsE. Cowes, James Stone, and E. Morrison. Collection of Frnit, three entries : First prize, F>. M. Gubb; second, F. J. Ufcting ; third, P. Becroft Collection of Plums, three entries : First prize, B. M. Gubb ; second, P. Becroft. Plate of Plums, dessert, six entries : First prize, B. M. Gubb. Plato of Plums, cooking, six entries : First prize, J. Becroft; second, T. A. Gubb. Cooking Apples, six, early, eleven entries : First prize, J. G. Turner; second, J. Becroft, jun. Cooking Apples. f»ix, late, seven entries : First prize, D. Becroft; second, B. M. Gubb. Dessert Apples, six, early, seven entries : First prize, E. M. Gubb ; second, D. Becroft. Dessert Apples, six, late, nine entries. First prize, P. Becroft: second, B. M. Gubb. Collection of Apples, two of each sort, three entries; First prize, B. Gubb ; second, E. Piper. Collection of Pears, two of each sorb, two entries : First prize, B. M. Gubb ; second, S. J. Utting ; J. Becroft, senior, highly commended. Apples, ten best sorts, four of each, throe entries : First prize, D. Becroft; second, P. Becroft. Dessert Pears, six entries : No prize awarded. Dried Fkuit.—Dried Apples, 51b, three entries: First prize, B. M. Gubb.: second, B. M. Gubb. Dried Plums, 51b •. none entered.

PkkseKves. —Judges : Mesdames J. Wilson, H. Marsh, E. Plummer. Plum Jam, 21b, last season, three entries : First prize, E. Marcroft; second, E. Marcroft. Peach Jam, '21b, ono en-try : First prize, E. Marcroft. Strawberry' Jain, 21b, two entries : First prize, E Marcroft ,' second, B. M. Gubb. Strawberry Jam, 21b, last season, one entry : First prize, E. Marcroft. Collection of Janir., lib each, three entries : First prize, B. M. Gubb ; second, E. Piper. Collection of Canned Fruit, one entry: First prize, Mrs B. M. Gubb. Canned Fruit (peaches), one entry : First prize, B. M. Gubb. Canned Fruit (quinces), two entries: First prize, B. M. Guttb ; second, F, Becroft. Honey, 21b, throe entries: First prize, A. Neal; second, P. Becroft. Honey in Section-box : nono entered. There were very line extra exhibits in eeptionbox.

Flowkks. — Judges : Messrs Morrison and J. Stone. Bouquet of flowers, oneentry; First prize, Mrs Grunt. Collection of Flowers, two entries : Ist prize, George T, Hartnell ; second, I). Becroft.

Miscellaneous. — Judges-: Messrs Marsh, J. Coupland. Bread, Yeast, not less than 41bs, nine entries : First prize, Miss Becroft; second, Mrs C. Pearman. Bread, Soda and Acid, not less than 41b, four entries: First prize, Mrs I. Becroft; second, Miss Becroft. Bread, Brown, not les3 than 41bs, six entries: First prize, Mrs P. Becroft; second, Mrs A. Neal.

In the evening a public tea and entertainment was held in the hall, but a large number of persona could not yet into the building, although it was estimated that over 400 persons were inside. Rev. C. Barley was a capital chairman. Messrs Macdcrttiotfc and Pook's contributions were highly appreciated, and Miss Willows was applauded loudly for a recitation. Mr G. Nicholson presided ab the piano, The following is the programme : Chairman's remarks : overture, Band ; reading, prize list by T. Gubb, secretary : song, Mrs Waters ; speech, Mr E. Coates; pait song, company; recitation, Mi3S Willows ; song, Mr Geo. Nicholson ; speech, Mr Cliff; flute solo, " Robin Adair," Mr Pook ; song, Mrs Waters ; speech, Mr Wallace; part song, company; recitation, "Woman's Warfare,'' Mr McDermott ; song, Mrs Waters ; duct, "What, etc.," Messrs Pook and McDermott; speech, Mr M. Harding. A general vote of thanks to all was proposed byJWr Theo. Cooper, and carried by acclamation.

Reference was made by several speakers to the order and quietness, and yet real happiness and enjoyment apparent to all, At ten o'clock the meeting was over, but there will remain for many days a pleasing recollection of this annual gathering.—(Own correspondent.)