AUCKLAND POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 146, 22 June 1899, Page 2

AUCKLAND POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

OPENING OF THE SHOW TO-DAY.

Patron: Mr L). Goldio. Mayor of Auckland. President: Mr A. H. Graiuger. Vice-presi-dents: Messrs A. A. White and W. Pricker. Committee: Messrs W. J. Brooks, J. Cahill, John Coliley, .John Morrison, J. Gallagher, W. B. Sowdcn, F. Holmes, G. W.S. Patterson, Thos. She-wring, and W. C. Soar. Hon. Treasurer: Mr A. A. White. Hon. Vet. Surgeons: Messrs IS. D. Halstoad and E. V. Klnloch. Secretary: Mr Chas. Grosvenbr.

The Auckland Poultry, Pigeon a.nd Canary Association opened their seventeenth annual show in the old Haymarket, Durham street, this afternoon. The entries in the various sections and classes are as under: — Game 55, Dorkings 21, Asiatics (including Cochins, Brahmas, and Langshans) 51, Mediterraneans (Spanish, Minorcas, Andalusians, and Leghorns) 104, Plymouth Rocks 22, Hamburgs 22, Wyandottes 20, Redcaps, Orpingtons, Houdans, and Polish 63, bantams 30, ducks and geese 69, pigeons 244, and canaries and cage birds 63. The total number of entries, including the 40 gift birds for the art union, amount to 780.

The birds are exhibited in fine open pens, the whole being well laid out by Mr Edward Haywood. On the whole, the quality of the birds is well up to previous years, and in some instances is excelled. The English game have fallen away this year, and are poor, but the Indian game are a good lot. Mr John Bouskill's cock, two years, which took first and special, is good enough to show anywhere. He is nicely made and marked, and his symmetry and colour is good.

In Cochins Mr Edward Haywood showed a lovely Cochin hen, "Queen," which secured a first and special. She is of perfect, feather and good colour.

The Lang^hans are a fair lot, but the Minorcas are a very good lot. The hens are particularly good, but there is no special bird among the cocks. The cockerels are a good lot. There is not much competition in Light Brahmas and Cochins, but Mr Clow's light cock, 18 months, is a lovely bird.

In Plymouth Rocks only one cock is exhibited, and he is far too light. The hens are fairly good. The cockerels are a big class, and Mr L. S. Knell's cockerel, 0 months, which took first, is an extra fine bird, both in colour and shape.

The Dark Era hmas and Rouen ducks of Reid Bros., of Motutapu, are specially good, the Rouen drakes being probably tihe best shown in Auckland. Mr E. Haywood also shows a lovely Black Rosccomb Bantam hen, lately brought out from London. The pigeons are a good lot, Fantails being the best class. There is poor competition for canaries. They have fallen away in numbers and quality. The arrangements for the show are most complete, reflecting great credit on Mr Chas. Grosvenor. the popular secretary, and officials of the club. For the best bird in the show the judges awarded the honours to Mr L. S. Knell's Plymouth Rock cockerel, nine months old. Mr Knell therefore wins Mr N. A. Nathan's handsome silver trophy

The marble timepiece presented by Sargood, Son and Ewen goes to Eeed Bros, dark Brahma cockerel, and H. Tattersall wins the silver cup presented by Seccombe and Son. H. B. Clow wins the Union Co.'s cup with a light Brahma pullet.

The judges are as follows: —

Poultry. —Mr W. F. Buckland, Dorkings and Asiatics; Mr J. Cornwell, game (other than bantams); Mr W. Grey, Mediterranean varieties and Hoiidans; Mr A. A- White, all other varieties, including ducks, geese and turkeys.

Pigeons. —Dr. Bedford, Messrs E. J. Swarm and I. Hopkins, Homers; Mr J. B. Tonar, Cai-riers, Dragons, Antwerps, Nuns, Barbs, Turbits, Owls, Satinettes, Blodinettes, Indian Sheragee, and German Toys; Mr W.. J. Brooks, all other varieties.

Canaries and Cage Birds. —Mr J. Cornwell.