JUDGING DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 273, 17 November 1899, Page 2

JUDGING DAY.

Patron His Excellency tlie Earl of RanGreenwood, Jas. Hume, X Hall, M. M. Kii-kbride John riiillipps, W. Sharp, John li"I-g?S.'Ei.S tfi& n T-M <:?.c&i* toricle W Mclaughlin, W. F. Maw ey, Kerr - Taj-lor, jr-^J. c m . o Nolan G. I'eacocke, J. l'nuiippb, n. tte' Shaw and Finn nee Committee Hon. iVeterinnry Surgeons: Messrs PS. D.Hal Btead, E. B. Kinlodi, and W. McFarnubar, ;,,, Ay s lion Treasurer, Mr A. n. S°ger^Auditor', Mr O B. Waymouth. Secretary, Mr Kchvm Hall.

The ninth annual Show held under the auspices of the Auckland Provincial Agricultural Association was opened at Potter's Paddock this morning. Of late years the Show has not been too fortunate in the matter' of weather, and the -weather to-toy •was decidedly disagreeable. The gale predicted by that prophet of ill-omen, Captain Edwin, duly arrived last night, with <a "come-to-stay" air about it that boded ill for the opening day of the Show. The wind continued to ' Wow with tremendous force this morning, and the dull, over-cast sky [had an ominous -appearance, which could hardly fail to have, a prejudicial effect upon the attendance at Potter's Paddock. To-day was observed as a public holiday by the banks and solicitors' offices on account of the Show. It may not be generally known that (the, Auckland Agricultural Show can claim-to be the oldest annual fixture Of.its kind in the colony. Although •the present Show is only the ninth held by the Auckland Provincial Agricultural Association, agricultural shows have been held here annually «. V er since 1345. The first show ever held hi 'the province took place as far back as 1843, under the auspices of the Auckland and New Ulster Agricultural Association. Owfing to the unsettled state of the country the, second show was not held ,>until five years later, but ever since •then the show has been carried on without intermission from year to year. Naturally in its early years it -was but a small affair. The colony iwa's in its infancy, and our pioneer settlers had not long entered upon Iheir laborious task of "making the Touoh places smooth." Statistics show that fifty years ago there, were only 725 horses, 6803 cattle, and 3280 sheep in the whole province, and the area of land under cultivation was proportionately small. But from inrall beginnings the. show has gradually increased in size and importance, with the province. And in view of the. great strides made in agriculture of recent years in this province, the Auckland Agricultural Show, with proper encouragement and good management, should have a prosperous future. The various features of the present Show are described in detail in the Min«!'i.n- mlumns. Suffice it to say liere that the display will compare favourably with any of its predecessors. While, a falling-off is noticeable in a number of entries in a •Jew sections, the total number of entries is considerably in excess, of the number for the previous year. The. figures are: 1099 entries for 1808, and 141S for 1890, being an increase Of 31!). The increase must be very. gratifying to the Society, as evidencim°- «' more substantial encouragement on the part of. the agricultural community. The most notable increase is in the section devoted to dairy produce and sundries, in which the entries total 393, as against 209 for last year. This section, is one of the. features of the present Show. There, is an increase also in harness horses, cattle, sheep, and implements, and vehicles, while the horses show a' falling-off in point of numbers—399 ag-ainst 350, a record entry. Judging in the various classes was commenced at half-past nine this morning, and the judges were kept busy all the morning; the dairy section, indeed, •was not thrown open for public inspection until about half-past two this afternoon, the entries in this class being unusually heavy. A new departure was made in judging the. sheep, the animals being judged first with the wool on, and again after being shorn, before the final awards were. made. The'ground at Potter's Paddock is ill good order, and the ireneral arrangements are such as reflect credit on the general secretary (Mr Edwin Hall) and the committee. Mr A. F. Stillwell, of Parnell, is responsible for the catering, which is carried out in a manner that leaves nothing to be desired. A COMPARISON. The following table enables a comparison to be made between the entries received in the various sections of the Show this year and last: — 1898. 1800. Blood stock 7 8 Saddle horses 132 110 Hunters ••• 42 30 Harnens borses 01 Wj Draught stock :. .57 jib Cattle 14< 200 Sheep ••• 126 157 pjrjs 35 d 5 Dairy produce mid sundries.. 200 3!)S Implements aud vehicles .. 231 .300 Sheep Driving ....... H 10 Riding,- driving, etc ••.• 41 _f^ 1099 1418 SATUEDAY'S PROGRAMME. An interesting programme has been prepared for to-morrow, and with favourable weather there should be a large attendance. The following events will take place during the day: —Sheep-dog' Trial, Weight-guessmg Competition, Ladies' Driving Competition, Parade of Draught Entires in the ring, Parade of Draught Horses, Parade of Light Entires in the ring, Driving and Transferring Bees near the sheep pens, Grand Parade of Light Horses and Ponies, Hunting Competition for Ladies, Hunting Competition for Gentlemen, Parade of Standardbred Trotters in the ring, Ladies' Riding Competition for the championship,. Tandem Driving Competition, Hunting Competition for Girls, Huntin* Competition for Boys. The Tramway Co. advertise that the whole of their time-table will be susr pended to-morrow, and a faster service Substituted from all lines to the Showground. _^_ i; _,_«. *.!_;_: