AUCKLAND SUMMER SHOW

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 284, 27 November 1908, Page 5

AUCKLAND SUMMER SHOW

SHEEP.

A RECORD EXHIBITION

SPLENDID HORSE AND CATTLE ENTRIES

THE PRIZE LIST

Patron*: Hie Excellency toed Plunket, Air Arthur M. Myers. President: Mr Jotm Masser-Vice-presidents: Messrs Isaac Gray aud A. Anderson. Executive Committee: Messrs T. Coates, G. J. Garlaud, M. B. Kirkbride, A. Muir, Jae. M. l'hillipps. A. IS. Thompson, V. Kerr-Taj-ior, K. J. Wills, J. Wyllie, K. Saunon, fi. Hall, \V. F. Massey. M.P., J. G. Rutherford, Wru. Westney, J. K. Walters, J. 11. Scott. E. Diet. 1 General Committee: Messrs Jonu Amburv. Joseph Ambury, C. T. harriball, Johu liol J lard, M.P., Johu Bryant, Adam Collie, .!. B. Crawford, A. H. Harris, S. Hudge, C. Shipperd, Jobu Pliillipps, L. It. Pnillipps, H iiikingtou. C. Khodes, Alexander Bell, Frank Dye. Arthur liall. Sir Kobt. Lockhart (Bart.i, li. D. Mcbennaji, A. McNlcol, John ratereon. \V. U- Paterson, T. Sunson, Aiiaur XA'iuetone. G. Wallace, E. D. O'Korte, W. J. Wallace. Under the most favourable weather conditions possible, the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association's summer show was to-day opened at Alexandra Park. The heavy rains which fell early in the week had the effect of laying the dust, and freshening everything up for to-day's exhibition. The entries constituted a record, and the exhibits in the horse, cattle, and sheep sections were easily ahead of anything yet seen in Auckland. The entries included 634 horses, 242 cattle, 205 sheep, 55 pigs, and 134 entries in the butter classes. These included some very large entries In the farmer's butter class, and also those factories competing in the Weddell Cup competition. The show ground was in splendid order for the holding of this year's record exhibition, and the arrangements were in all classes excellent. The grounds presented a bright and animated appearance, scores of tents dotting the green sward, while the ring events, the trotting to and fro oi prize stock, and the continual pacing of the crowd from the various sheep and cattle pens, all tended to make up a brilliant scene of activity and animation. The industrial display was one of the features of the show, and a frontage vi lVsGft wa.s taken up. Most of the leading Auckland firms iiad splendid displays, representative of what can be done in the way of local manufactures, and the scope of this part of the exhibition, embracing displays of machinery, implements, and every kind of farni ajid houseboid requisite, was greater than anytaing of tne kind yet seen in Auckland. A great many people availed themselves of the advantage of witnessing the show in such fine weather, and the attendance this afternoon was very large indeed. Judging commenced at nine o'clock this morning, and the judges found their time fully occupied in trying to get through the large number oi classes in every section. To-morrow is "'People's Day,"' and granted a continuance of the line weather conditions which prevailed to-day, a record attendance i≤ assured. A special tram service will be run throughout the day to Alexandra Park, and it is announced that extra services will run from the Three Lamps, Ponsonby, from noon till 3 p.m., and also from Welles-ley-street. During the afternoon a, start was made on the riding, driving, and hunting competitions, but most of the attractive ring displays are set down for to-mor-row. Jlhe entries in the various competitions show a.n all-round increase, and some very keen contests are anticipated. The members of the general committee have been busy throughout the week, preparing for the exhibition, and they have been assisted by a great many stewards and members of the association. The acting-secretary, Mr. Fordyce, and his assistants, Messrs. Veale and Senior, had all arrangements complete, and the show is in every way a credit to the association, and the agricultural and industrial communities of Auckland. The judges in the various sections were as follows: — Sheep: Lincoln, Merino, Leicestexs. and Romneys—Mr. R. B. Hamilton, of Manutahi. Shropshire and Southdowns —Mr. G. F. Ellis, of Bulls, Wellington. Caitle: Shorthorns and fat cattle— Mr. John Strang, of Wairarapa. Ayrshires, Jerseys, and dairy cattle—Messrs. W. Vaughan Harkness, of Kew Plymouth, and J. Fisher, of Pukerknu. Light horses and riding, driving, and jumping contests: Mr. J. H. Mo.Xiven, of dive, Hawke's Bay, and Mr. D. Knight. Draughts—Mr. T. P. Lett, of Wellington. Pigs: Mr. G. V. G. Slack, of Palmerston North. Butter and cheese: Messrs. S. P. Anderso mand T. W. Jones. Hams and bacon, poultry and eggs: Mr. John Adams. Bread, cakes, preserves, etc.: Mr. J. M. Mennie. Agricultural and horticultural section: Mr. W. E. Lippiatt, of Otahuhu. Natural history: Mr. T. F. Cheeseman. Eesays by school children: Mr. E. A. James.

SOME SPLENDID FLEECES. The woolly bearers of the "golden fleece" formed one of the most encouraging features of the show. There trere some magnificent fleeces and some excellent types of sheep. The increased interest in and study of the breeding of sheep in the Auckland province has been the main responsible factor for the improvement in the animals exhibited. Land owners are .beginning to realise the wisdom of wool-growing as a precaution against financial trouble in their dairying ventures, and various parts oi this province have been found highly suitable for the profitable farming of sheep. The result of the facts mentioned in the foregoing is to be seen in the fine exhibition oi to-day. It is quite the beet exhibition of cheep which Has ever been seen in Auckland, and, farther still, the finest yet shown in the previruse. In view of the gnwrtng importance of the "wool industry, the splendid show of sheep

of the various breeds is highly satisiac- ' tory. Besides there being au improvement in the quality of the sheep, there is a numerical improvement. Last year's entries totalled 200, whilst there are 205 ou exhibition this year. The Auckland province is well represented in the exhioitors, and, though the show cannot oear so wide a designation as to say that it is a Dominion representation, the >orth Island is fairly well represented. 1 i here is an exhibitor from as far south as Kaikoura competing, and among the great breeders of the North Island are Messrs Slack Bros, of Palmerston North, and Mr J. R. Corrigan, of Hawera. The showing of the sheep is a credit to the exhibitors, who, notwithstanding ■ the adverse weather, have placed the animals in the pens in splendid show condition. The care and attention which had been bestowed on the preparation of the sheep was such that almost every entry was seen at its best. The finest feature of the sheep exhibition is the show of Lincolns. The great prize-winning breed of the English shows is splendidly represented, but it is somewhat singular that almost the whole of the exhibits hail from Waiuku. There is one exhibitor from Cambridge, and one from Kaikoura, but, apart from these, Waiuku claims the whole of the exhibits. The Lincolns are a particularly fine lot, and it is a great tribute to the sheep-raising proclivities of the Auckland province that nearly all of the breed shown have been bred and reared in the district. The Lincolns are certainly the finest exhibition of quality in the sheep department of the show. The first prize in Lincoln rams over eighteen months is an exhibit of Mr J. R. McElwain, of Waiuku. The ram, which is a four-tooth, was awarded first and champion honours at Hamilton, when a two-tooth last year. Mr McElwain secured the championships in both rams and ewes. A coming breed in the Auckland province is the Romney Marsh, and it is on account of the rapidly growing popularity of these sheep that there is such an improved exhibition i RUAKURA STATE FAKNJ EXHIBIT.' A most interesting exhibit is that of the Ruakura (State) Experimental farm, which placed in the pons the only show of Southdowns, there are on the ground. Those sheep are on their way home from the Christchureh show, otherwise they might not have been seen here to-day. The sheep showed signs of the long voyages, but it was evident that they had been carefully prepared. The State's exhibit are fine types of Southdowns. One of two ewes, which are shown, secured a prize in Christchurch against very classical competition. An aged imported ram of the Ruakura selection is about, the finest specimen of the breed which has ever been seen in Auckland. This ram, which was third in Christehurch, comes from the famous Adeane flock. In the same pen is a young shorn ram, which secured a third prize at the Canterbury show. There are also four ewes of splendid type, and these are progeny of the imported ram aforementioned. A type of sheep which is very rare in the Xorth Island, and quite new to Auckland, is the Rysland. and it is very fortunate that there is one of the breed on exhibition. The sheep comes from the Ruakura Exporime ntai Farm, and is a splendid specimen. This exhibit was beaten at Christchurch by an imported animal of the Ryeland breed. HORSES. The. display of horses is undoxibtedly one of the features of the show, and the entries totai 634 in all classes, an increase of 47 on last year's total. BLOODSTOCK. The big disappointment, however, is in the bloodstock division, in which, for a place with Auckland's reputation as a breeding centre, the entries were exceptionally poor, and there was no competition in any of the classes. The Hotchkiss horse Monoform, which has developed into a handsome type of the thoroughbred, was awarded a first prize in his class, being the only one to enter the ring. In the yearling colts and yearling fillies, only one entry appears for each, both being by the Gossoon horse Spalpeen, the former out of Wisteria, by Cuirassier—-Ivy, and the latter from Waimangu. by Explosion—Stepfast. The filly is a gem. Standing over a lot of ground, she shows a lot of quality, and her action in the ring was perfection. The colt is also a nice youngster, although, perhaps, not showing so much quality as the filly, but is nevertheless a beautifully proportioned colt. The saddle horses are, taken all round, an exceptionally good lot, and both in numbers and quality are a distinct improvement on last year. The hunters are especially good, and competition in the various classes was very keen. PO>-TES. The pony cla-sees have all filled well, and the show of liliputians is an exceedingly fine one. DRAUGHT STOCK. The draught stock is well up to the average, a noticeable absentee being Mr. W. Taylor's champion Marcellus, which, so far, holds an unbeaten record. The working draughts are the strong feature of the heavy division, and it would be bard to get a better all round lot in any part of the Dominion. CATTLE. The cattle show was easily one of the best on record. Every class was well represented, and as evidence of the quality of the animals which is playing so important a part in the progress of Auckland's chief industry, the exhibition was a revelation. " Simply splendid," was the opinion vouchsafed by Mr. John Strang, judge of Shorthorns, while Mr. \V. Vaaghan, judge of Jerseys, was emphatic in hit approval of the animate shown id this class, and expressed tne opinion t«

a, "Star" representative that -tie Jersey* ! which he had been called upon to judge j compared very favourably with anything j he had seen at the New Plymouth or Wanganui shows.

ing" and McCormick binders and mowers, : i also a Coe.ksh.ut furrow disc plough, and 1 disc harrows of various types. A Tom i Thumb engine is also shown, likewise a • 1 horizontal one, and a portable engine. ' 1 The Dairymaid cream separator is also . shown. ; Mr. James Melntyre shows locallymade iron -n-ork. including windmills, and ' : Messrs. Beany and .Sons also exhibit ; their locally-made Cambridge rollers, ' J harrows, lawn rollers and ploughs. ! Mr. J. H. Colwell has an excellent ex- ! Mbit of the latest models in the Fox i typewriters. These include foolscap j and demi size, also a policy and a bilI ling and tabulating machine. All of ', these have double-coloured ribbons, and ! by those visitors who are in any way i commercially interested, the stall should I not be missed- I Messrs. Cousins and Atkins have on j view in their marquee a number of ex-cellently-finished vehicles. A new type, worthy of special note, is a Gladstone gig for four. It is nicely upholstered, fitted with rubber tyres, and for the convenience of ladies has a skirt wing to > protect dresses from being dirtied by con-1 tact with the wheels of the vehicle. j Mr. E. Le Roy makes a fine display of j tents of various styles, also hammocks, j oilskins, horse and stock covers, and j I Kahiki coats. I VV. Bla-key, Auckland, exhibits a greeni house of his own manufacture. The work is excellent and well worthy of attention. ■ The Standard Rotary Sewing Machine 'Co. give a good representative display of i their work, which includes ail the latest models in sewing machines. All of these : are worthy of dose inspection, and in- \ elude a skeleton head illustrating the inj terior working of the machine; eleven ! treadle and two hand machines; also a j full cabinet folding machine in oak, [which makes a writing table when not in ! use. A good display of fancy art drawni thread work and a working model makes !up an excellent display. j A very interesting exhibit is that of I Messrs Briscoe and Co., in the form of a I small model house built by them in Wun j der-ich metal and Marseilles tiles. Wallpaper patterns, friezes, and dados are made up in the interior by embossed designs, tastefully tinted in art-coloured distempers. A special staff is kept by the firm to fix up these buildings. A noticeable point is the clever imitation of I stonework on the outside, one part of a particularly interesting exhibit. An excellent show is that of the Singer Sewing Machine Company, wherein may be found all the latest models and most interesting points in this line. They show three latest family machines, a boot-patching machine, and a cJothmg buttonhole machine for the use of tailors. A clever model is also to be found here, which is a combined sewing machine and writing table, an ingenious spring arrangement controlling the change. A latest model 66-1 machine on a ball-bear-ing stand and examples of wovk done make up a highly interesting exhibit. The Favourite l'hotd Enlargers of Hob-son-strcet. Auckland, give a good snow oi the work they do. Very reasonable work is in the actual stall, and the collection of photographs and various framings are well worthy of attention. Those interested in gardening or farminw will do well to visit the large tent j Of" Messrs. Arthur Yates and Co.. thej well-known seedsmen. The seeds are arranged in neat trays, and include grass and clover seeds, field swedes and turnips, sorghums, garden seeds, bird seeds, feeding preparations, poultry grits, etc. Keen attention is paid by Messrs. Yates aud Co. to the recleaning of seeds, this fact being"impressed upon the visitor by the different." samples of "cleafutfg"S" shown on one of the tables, and it is evident no pains are spared to send out their seeds in the cleanest possible condition. Artificial manures of every de- j scription show that this department is carefully looked after, Yates , special mixtures for turnips, potatoes, mangold,, maize, grass and garden being found here.! Perhaps of greatest general note are the j splendid collections of sweet peas and j rose blooms, the former coming from! Yates' Buekland Seed Farm, and the I latter from the nurseries of Messrs. D. j Hay and Son, for whom Arthur Yates | and Co. are town agents. Upwards ol 250 vases of flowers are staged, comprising many of the latest introductions. Stocks, carnations, and other flowers are exhibited, together with foliage pot plants from Messrs. Hay and Son's bush houses. Outside the tent are placed the "Iron Age" implements, spray pumps, lawn mowers, etc., the whole comprising an exhibit well up to the standard of j J former show exhibitions. i A magnificent exhibition of roses, \ comprising a large number of excellent j specimens, -was shown in the horticultural division by Mr. Lippiatt. FURSITURE EXHIBITS. An effective display was mace T>y the j D.S.C.. four bedrooms being furnished j I throughout in admirable style, also a! ' dining-room and drawing-room. In this j large marquee are also shown a piano,! sewing machine, settees, easy chairs, i I swing hammocks, and Stevenson's comI bination billiard table. j Among thp industrial exhibits, Messrs. i Tonson Garlick, Limited, have an excel- ■ lent show of dining-room, drawing-rcsom, land bedroom furniture. The two former] j lots and a part of the latter are their I own manufacture, and the drawing-room pieces comprise fine examples of Chippendale and Sheraton. The dining-room set, made up of a beautiful oak and red 1 morocco suite, was lai dout complete for eight persons. An interesting exhibit . was a collection of patent woven Hofi squares, made up in artistic Mendings of dull colours. There was also the usual show of wire spring mattresses. Messrs. Smith and Caughey, Ltd., are responsible for an admirable show of furniture and furnishing accessories. In the carpet section they exhibit three sets | : of Axminster carpets of their own ex- f elusive design. A special place is ac- ; corded their patent "Advance" easy | chair. These are sent out all over the | world, and we can vouch for their actual j j comfort. Three sections are variously J got up completely as drawing, dining, I and bed rooms, and include some fine, i solid inlaid oak and mahogany pieces, the drawing-room being furnished in the Louis IV. period fashion. A very good show of ball-bearing sewing machines is also to be seen, including all the latest models and samples of their work. Mr. Roland O. Mens shows a number of pieces of furniture in New Zealand woods, all excellent examples. These include a dressing cheval pair in mottled I kauri, and a Beaconsfield wardrobe, also i in kauri; a mahogany six-foot side-board ! in puriri and mottled kauri, beautifully carved; and a writing desk and bookcase combined, in similar woods. A specially good piece was an eight-drawer chest in New Zealand woods; also an inlaid chest of drawers, a beautiful and clever combination of the different ■woods. AGRICOLTCRAI, IMPLEMENTS. Messrs. Cruickshask, Mailer and Co. show a collection of agricultural imple-

Shorthorns, as usual, made a strong ; feature of the cattle section, and chief amongst the successful exhibitors was i Mr. William Taylor, the well-known Te Awamutu brteder. This year the Association offered a cup, valued at 20 gum- i eas, for the champion Shorthorn bull, to i be won twice in succession, and very keen I competition endued. Aβ was expected, I Mx. Taylor carried off the prize tor bull, j any age, with his unbeaten three-year-old ': Baron Kose 111., bred by the Yen. Arch- j deacon Williams, and "sired by Oxford Duke, out of Blanch Rose XXX. Baron '' Rose was purchased by Mr. Taylor after j the Chris tchurch exhibition, where as a I yearling it took first prize in a very big field. As a two-year-old Baron Rose won at Auckland ,last year, and also carried off first aud champion prizes at Hamilton. The animal has now developed into a sire of perfect Shorthorn tjpe, and possesses every qualification. A very fine yearling bull was that exhibited by Woodward Bros., which carried off the first honours, and defeated a nice yearling of Mr. Taylor's own breeding. The prize for Shorthorn cow, over three years, was carried off by Mr. Taylor, who was sue- I eessfu] in a number of other classes. j The Jerseys were a very fine lot. Mr. : E. D. McLennon. usually a very successful exhibitor in this class, carried oil first honours with his Jersey bull, Doctor Jim, i a fine sire, of his own breeding. Doctor Jim took a second prize at last year's Auckland show, and was awarded the, championship riband at Pukekoue. There : was keen competition in the two-year-old bul) class. A. Mooreland's Fitzsimmons j carrying off first honours. The first prize yearling bull was Fitzwilliam, sired by the old show-ring champion, Fitzwilliani, | and exhibited by the well-known breeders, j Messrs. Willis Bros. Mr. McLennon was successful in winning the prize for best Jersey cow over three years of age, with Golden Rose, an animal which met with the special commendation of the jud<»e, being of the true type of milker, with! every point of a good Jersey. The judging of the pedigree Shorthorns and Jerseys occupied the whole of the morning. The Shorthorns were a particularly fine class, and the championship award, carrying with it the 20 guinea cup, went to Mr. Wm. Taylors unbeaten three-year-old, Baron Rose 111., whose performances are elsewhere referred to. Mr. Taylor also carried off the championship with his two-year-old heifer Leonora XXIII., a cow of his own breeding, which has been shown five times, and has won four first prizes and two championships. The championship in the Jersey bull class tras again carried off by "Willis Bros., of Matamata, whose bull Fitzwilliam has now Avon seven championships, including three running at Auckland, two at Franklin, and one each at Cambridge and Hamilton. Mr. A. Mooreland's Sweet Briar was awarded the championship for the best cow, Mr. E. D. McLennon's Golden Rose being awarded reserve champion. The Jersey classes generally were better than anything ~«t seen in Auckland, and called forth the warmest commendation of the judge, Mr. TV. A'aughan Harkness. The fJrade Jerseys were a very jjooj. class, while Holsteiiis and dairy cattle made a fine show. The Ayr?hires wcr<* also a very fine lot, and the Mental Hospital figured very prominently in the list of successful prizetakers. PIGS. The show of pigs is the best which has ever been exhibited in the Auckland province. The black Berkshires are particularly good. A pleasing circumstance, iv a sense, is that a number of the prize* hare been v.'on by entries of Costley'g Home: thp Mental Hospital also secured prize?. There is an increase in the number of entries of fifteen; last yeaT» total was forty, this year's is fifty-five. DAIRY PRODUCE ASD SUNDRIES. The entries in the classes lor dairy produce and sundries are about up to ttie average. Farmers' butter shows an increase in the number of entries as compared with last year, and the quality of the article is generally excellent. In fact, it is safe to state that the dairy fanners have shown an improvement all round in the quality of the butter exhibited, which may, perhaps, to some extent, be due to the mild winter, aud splendid spring, which kept the cattle in excellent condition. This improvement in quality had the effect of making the competition very keen amongst the leading makers, and this rendered the duties of the judges ail the more arduous. From the point of view of visitors to the show, there does not appear to be such a large exhibit of butter as usual, but this is due to the fact that the factory competition is not decided until the -winter show. There are thirty factories competing for the Weddell Cup, which is offered for butter most suitable for export to England. The Weddell Cup is valued at 25 guineas; then there is also a gold medal and £10; for the second prize £7 10/-, and for the third £5. This is the grading point class. Prizes are awarded to the butter-makers whose factory output for the season gains the highest aggregate number of points according to the certificate issued by the Government grader between October Ist, 1908, and March 31st, 1909. The competition is open to all factories in the Auckland province. The exhibits consist of two boxes of 561b each, selected prior to Government grading out of any consignment received for export to Great Britain up to March 3Lst, 1909. The exhibits go into the freezing chamber this morning, and will remain there until the Winter Show, when the awards Kill be announced. It is somewhat sing-alar that there are no entries this show for either cheese or hams and bacon. The bread and cakes exhibits are about up to last year's average as far as the number of entries is concerned, and the quality all round is satisfactory. There is also a fine exhibit of preserves, pickles wines and cordials. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITS. As usual the exhibits or agricultural implements, both imported and of local manufacture, form a great feature of the show. In this connection may also be mentioned the fine displays of furniture made from Ne-v Zealand woods, also locally-made vehicles. Messrs. Massey, Harris and Co. show a large selection of agricultural implements, including cut reaper and binder, side delivery reaper, steel hay tedder' various types of cultivators, harrows and ploughs. Amongst the latter may be mentioned the "Imperial" and "Ottawa" types. Messrs. P. and D. Duncan, Ltd., show i a wheeled scoop, swamp and other kinds J of ploughs, also Coulter Star drill com- ; plete, ordinary cultivators and disc J ploughs with" extra string beams. [ In the implement class, the Internaj tional Harvester Company show "Deer-

ments, including various types of ploughs, including the Hillside. There are harrows, such as the Urbar, Zigzag, Planet Junior Cultivators, and Windmill pumping water, Seller's patent washing machine, and Paroid as well as Neponset patent roofing. . Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., show a varied assortment of agricultural implements, including Donald's wool-press, Andrews' Fern Scrub Tucker, different lands of ploughs, harrows, and also Cooper and Duncan's various implements. lii this department may also be seen Quibell's sheep dip, manure, seeds, "KeroP disinfectant, fencing wire, and general farm requirements. One of the best displays on the ground was that of T. and S. Morrin, limited. Prominent were the popular Oliver plows, while the Southern Chief disc plow was exhibited by this firm for the first time. Two '-Dandy" windmills, -with galvanised steel towers, were also shown —one of them was in operation pumping water. The construction of these mills is very simple, and there are not any complicated parts liable to break or get out of order. The "Johnston" Binder, one and two-horse mowers and horse hay-rake attracted a good deal of attention; they are strong, well-built machines, with a minimum of wearing parts. In addition, the exhibit included disc harrows, corn planters, tine harrows, and a variety of Planet. Jr. tools. (Continued en page 2.)