TOKOMAIRIRO FARMERS' CLUB.

Bruce Herald, Volume v, Issue 242, 16 December 1868, Page 5

TOKOMAIRIRO FARMERS' CLUB.

THIRD ANNUAL SHOW.

The third exhibition of Live Stock, Ari. cultural Implements, and Dairy Produce, under the auspices of the. Tokomairiro Farmers' Club, was held at the Recreation Ground, on Thursday last, the 10th instant. Great fears were entertained by many that the weather would prove unfavorable to the f nIJ success of this annual gathering of agriculturists and stockowners, with their selected specimens of presumed excellence in the various kinds of stock, &c, but these fears were dissipated, in so far as the fall of rain was confined to a passing shower, the only drawback being that the wind was rather cold and boisterous, doubtless lessening the comfort and pleasure which the numerous ladies present must have experiened on such an occasion. The Committee must have felt gratified with the success of the Show, for, although in some departments there was an evident deficiency, yet as a whole there was a marked advance and improvement in the number and quality of the exhibits. The arrangements made for the display of the exhibits were very satisfactory, enabling visitors to inspect without much trouble all the various classes of stock as they came before the Judges . From authentic sources we have learnt that there were upwards of 800 people present. Some little delay occurred from the absence of some of the gentlemen who were expected to act as Judges, but the Committee met and very quickly provided substitutes, and the adjudication commenced shortly after 11 a.m. The Secretary, Mr Church, had made complete and I perfect arrangements iv connection with the : details of the programme, but unfortunately they were greatly marred by singular inattention and procrastination on the part of many exhibitors to the procuring of exhibit entry cards on the evening previous to the Show, and we cannot pass on to remark upon the different classes without stating how desirable it is, that no unnecessary work should be entailed upon Secretaries of such Societies on the day of the Show. Since the Club on this as on former occasions received such distinguished patronage and enconragement from the ladies of Toknmairiro and other districts, both as visitors and" as exhibitors of their productions as dairy managers, we shall depart from the usual plan, of first noticing the Live Stock, and give precedence to the handiwork of the

one hundred and twelve fair competitors for the handsome prizes offered— gifts of several gentlemen in Milton— and the premiums of the Society. The show of Dairy Produce was held in the Court House, kindly granted for the occasion by J. P. Maitland. Esq., R.M. Every precaution was taken to prevent the remotest cause for suspicion of injustice, and to ensure the safe delivery of the exhibits after the hour appointed for removal; the arrangements were made and carriel out most satisfactorily by Messrs Gillies and M'Gill . The Judges took, as can well be imagined, considerable time to decide to whom the awards should be given. The first prize for Fresh Butter was given to Mrs James Drinnan, of Ardgowan, and as indicative of her undoubted excellence as a maker of butter, we may note that she was a prizetaker last year, and the butter shown on this occasion had been made ten days previous to the show. Mrs Jas. Shennan of Waipori, was adjudged the second prize. A large proportion of the fresh butter was good, and as a whole an improvement upon last year. The Powdered Butter was inferior generally, and one reason for the inferiority of it and the salt butter may be in the coarseness and impurity of the salt used. Mrs James Stevenson, of Riverside, Taieri, was successful in carrying off the first prizes for powdered and salt butter. The manufacture of the latter seems to be strangely neglected in this district, and from the quality of much shown on Thursday, its preparation as a marketable commodity appears to be but imperfectly understood. We wish it were otherwise, for it is singularly inconsistent and hurtful to the best interests of the place, that merchants should have to import from Wellington, &c. , an article of general consumption that might be equally well supplied from the district. The cheeses shown were not numerous, and Mrs James Shennan from Waipori, was the successful winner of first and second prizes. We were surprised at the scarcity of exhibits in the Bacon and Ham line ; vre cannot agree, however, with the special reporter, of the 'Sun,' whose stomach is evidently weak. He scunners at the thought of partaking of a slice of bacon or ham unless it be as thin and delicate as a slice of cucumber. The side of Bacon and the Ham shown by Mr T. Murray, were excellently cured, but probably too fat and rich for pampered palates . A splendid specimen of gigantic Rhubarb was shown as an extra by the same gentleman, who seems to feed his ground as well as hi 3 pigs- Mr Crossan showed a sample of bread, which during the day was practically tested, and its disappearance vouched for its excellence. Amongst the Live Stock — the Short-Horned Cattle were first — and Mr D. Carson, for his imported bull " Dionied," took the Gold Medal. There were ten entries in Class 4, Cows of any age, and to Mr Kempshell, for '• Sally Dundas," was given the first prize. The class was very unequal in point of merit. In the 2-year old Heifers Mr KempsheH was again successful with "Sally Athelstane." The Ayrshire Bulls were a poor show, and a commendation was all that was given to Mr D. Paton. The Cows of this breed, however, mustered in good force, and Mr James Drinnan took first honors in the three classes, respectively for Polyanthus, Mayflower, and Dot. Two pairs of Fat Bullocks were exhibited* by A. M'Laren, which were good. In Class 14, Cow of any breed, Mr Kempshell succeeded, amongst 11 competitors, in getting the Silver Cup presented by Mesars Wright, Robertson and Co. In Class 15 there were six entries, and again Mr James Drinnan was successful. In the next Class, from some misconception or doubtful reading of the advertisement, it was decided by the Committee that no competition could take place, as the cow, as well as her offspring, should have been bred by the exhibitors, this condition not being complied with by [ any. In the department of Draught Horses there was a considerable falling off in numbers from last year, but in several of the classes there were excellent animals shown. In the Class 25, 3-year old Filly, there was close competition, and the Judges had some difficulty in deciding. Morris Dancer, the property of MrJ. L. Gillies, was very properly adjudged the first prize in Throughbred Entires. The young stock, in this class, were really good. The Hacks shown were certainly not very creditable. The Sheep were few in number, and, except in the Merinos, there were not any first-class animals shown, and the selection of the different animals in the pens was, as a good judge said, nut creditable to the judgment of the selectors. In Class 38, 2-tooth Rams, a dispute arose as to the decision of the Judges, a protest being lodged by Mr James Smith, that the rams of Mr J. Paterson, to whom, at first, was awarded the prize, were 4-tooth rams. The Judges, after reconsideration, sustained the protest, so in this class no ! prize was given. We must correct an error made by the reporter to the * Sun,' who says that Merinos were judged in same class as Long-woolled. This was not so, as a simple reference to the prize list could show. The difficulty of the judges arose from Leicester and all other (kinds of long-woolled breeds being in one class. This ought to be rectified on any future occasion. Swine, were firstrate in quality although few in number. The sows of Mr Gillies were perfect of their sort. Mr Popplewell's Boar was a good Berkshire, but not exactly what good judges call. a small breed. The Poultry show was most paltry in numbers and quality. Before giving the prize list we must record the opinion universally expressed, that the decisions of the judges on this occasion have given very general satisfaction ; any error, if error there has been, must have arisen from a lack of judgment, and not from any less excusable cause. We are free, however, to confess our surprise that in Class 4, Short-horned Cow, that the white cow, Bell, waß not honorably mentioned. Her purity of breed could bj.

! seen in every point ; she is of Lord Western's S celebrated breed, and cost the owner, two years ago, £150 at Christchurch. In this class the imported Heifer, Jeanie Deans, the property of Mr B. Hibbard, was a second prize-taker. We append the Prize List :— CATTLE. — SHORT-HuRNED. Judges : Messrs John Rennie, Dnnedin ; W. A. Todd, Taieri ; and John Nimnio, West Taieri. Attending Members: Messrs R. W. Johnstone, and J. M'Farlane. Class I—Bull1 — Bull any age, Ist, Gold Medal * Mr D. Corsan, "Diomed ; 2nd, Silver Medal A. Pillans. Class 2 — Bull, 2 years old : Mr Petrie, Commended. Class 3 — Bull, 1 year old : Ist, Silver Medal, Mr Kempshell, " Young Van Tromp." Class 4 — Cow, any age, Ist, Silver Medal : Mr R. Kempshell, " Sally Dundas ;" 2nd, Mr B. Hibbard, Hon Cer, " Jeannie Deans ;" Mr D. Carson, Commended. Class s— Heifer, 2 year old, Ist, Silver Medal, Mr R. Kempshell, " Sally Athelstane." AYRSHIRE. Class 7 — Bull, any age, Mr D. Paton, Commended. Class 10 — Cow, any age, Ist and 2nd, Silver Medal and Hon Cer, Mr James Driunan, Ardgowan, " Polyanthus." Class 11— Heifer, 2 year, old, Ist, Silver Medal, Mr James Drinnan, ' ' Mayflower " Class 12— Heifer, 1 year old, Ist, Hon Cer, Mr James Drinnen, 'Dot." Class 13— Pair of Fat Bullocks, Ist, Mr A. M'Laren. EXTRAS. Class 14 — Cow, any age or breed, Ist, Silver Cup, presented by Messrs Wright, Robertson and Co, Mr R Kempshell, " Sally Dundas." Class 15— Three best Cows of any age or breed (Provincial bred), Ist, £5, Mr James Drinnan. Class 16 — No competition. DRAUGHT HORSES.— Clydksdale. Judges — Messrs Dickie, Kaihiku ; "Win. Duff, Waihola; and D. M'Ausland, Bal clutha, Attending members : Messrs J. M'Farlane and James Blues. Class 17 — Entire Horse, any age, Ist, Gold Medal, Mr John M'lntosk "Thane of Clyde " ; 2nd, Silver Medal, Messrs Hislop and Hamilton, "Marquis"; John Gow's •' Lord Raglan," Commended. Class 18 — Entire Colt, 3 years old, Ist, Silver Medal, John Gow, " Lord Raglan ;" William Black, Commended. Class 19— Entire Colt, 2 year old. Ist, £3, Wm Black, " Prince Alfred ;" John Barr's " Bob," Commended. Class 20— Entire Colt, 1 year old, Ist, Hon Cer, Kenneth Bain. Class 22— Gelding, 2 year old, Ist, £1 10s, George Lindsay Class 24— Brood Mare, Ist, Gold Medal, John Nimmo. Taieri ; 2nd, Silver Medal, Robert Stevenson, Taieri. Class 25 -Filly, 3 year old, Ist, Silver Medal. James Cnlling, Taieri ; Alexander Grigor, Commended. Class 27— Filly, 1 year old, Ist, Hon Cer, James Smith. Class 28 — Veld Mare, any age, Ist, Silver Medal, John Nimmo. Commended : James Smith.Class 29 — Mare or Gelding, fit for saddle and harness, Ist, £2 2s, James Stevenson, West Taieri. Class 30 — Pair of Mares or Geldings, in cart harness, Ist, Silver MedaL James Smith. THOROUGH BBED HORSES. Class 31 — Entire any age, Ist, Silver Medal, John L. Gillies, 'Morris Dancer;" 2nd. Hon Cer, G. Pritchard, " Master Rowe " Class 32— Brood Mare, Ist, Hon Cer, D. Carson. Class 33— Filly, 2 year old, Ist, Hon Cer, Hislop Bros. Class 33^— Colt, 2 year old, Ist, Hon Cer, A. Piilans ; Commended, Wm Gray. Class 34^— Filly, 1 year old, Ist, Hon Cer, Thomas Clegg ; Commended, William Gray. Class 35— Best Foal, Ist, L 2, gift ot President, J. L. "Gillies ; Commended, D. Corson. Class 36 — Pony, under 14 hands, any age, Ist, £1 10s, John M'Farlane ; Commended) James Blues. SHEEP.— Merino. Judges — Messrs Allan Boyd, North Taieri ; John Anderson, Wyndham , R. Roberts, Victoria ; Walter Sherman, Taieri Attending members — Messrs Wm. Gray and H. Clark, M.P.C. Class 37 — Pen 2 Rams, any age, Ist, Silver Medal, James Smith. Class 39— Pen 3 Ewes, any age, Commended, James Smith. Class 40 — Pen 3 Ewes, 2~ tooth, Ist. Hon Cer, James Smith. JLONG-WoOLtBD. Class 42 — Pen 2 Rams, any age, Ist, Silver Medal, R. W. Thompson, Clutha, Romney Marsh ; 2nd, Hon Cer, James Sutherland. Class 44 Pen 3 Ewes, any age, Commended, George Cameron. Class 47— Pen 6 Fat Lambs, Ist, £1 10s, A. M'Laren, fattened by Thomas Murray, Mount Stewart. SWINE. Judges — Same as in Cattle. Class 49 — Sow, any age, large breed, Ist, Bronze Medal, J; L. Gillies. Class 50 — Boar, any age, small breed, Ist, Bronze Medal, W. Popplewell. Class 51 — Sow, any age, small breed, Bronze Medal. J. L. Gillies. Class 52— Fat^Pig, Commended, J. L. Gillies. Extra — Litter Pigs, month old, Highly Commended, J. L. Gillies. POULTRY. Judge — J. Wilson, Waihola. Attending members — Jas. Newbigging and Dr Ferguson. Class 56 — Cock, Dorking breed, Ist, 10s, Thomas Brookes. Class 57 -Hens, pair do, Ist, 10s, H. Moyes. Class 60— Drake and Pair Ducks, (Aylesbury), Ist, 10s, Mattheson. Class 62— Gander and Pair Geese, (Common), Ist, lUs, Popplewell. Class 64—2 doz. Hen Eggs,. Ist, ss, Master R France. Class 65—2 doz. Duck Eggs, Ist, ss, James M'Growther. DAIRY PRODUCE.— provincial. Judges — Messrs Mercer, Dunedin ; J. M'Farlane, Dunedin ; John Darling, Inch Clutha. Attending members— Messrs J. L. Gillies and P. M'Gill. Class 68— Entries 41—3 lb Fresh Butter, Ist, gift of Mr E. Stewart, draper, Milton, Silk Dress, £5. Mra. James Drinnan, Ardgowan ; 2nd, Box of Tea, gift of Mr E. Marryatt, L 2 ss, Mrs Shennan, Waipori ; 3rd, £1 108, Mrs John Porter, Tokomairiro ; 4th, Mrs James Parlaae, Tokomairiro ; Commended, Mrs Wm. Smith, Mrs D. Carson,

Mis LbcUbart, Mrs John Pringle, and Mrs Hislop. Glass 69—40 Entries— 3 lb Pov.iisi-ed Butter, Ist, gift of Mr P. Gunninghame, grocer, Milton, a Toilet Set complete, £2 2s, Mrs James Stevenson, Riverside, West Taieri ; 2nd, £1. Mrs Wm. Ferguson, Tokomairiro ; 3rd, 10s, Mrs T». Corsan ; Commended, Mrs John Porter, Mrs Nimmo, West Taieri ; Mrs Parlane Class 70— 31 Entries— l 4lb Salt Butter, Ist, gift of Messrs Bibbard and Co., China Tea and Coffee Service, £6 6s, Mrs James Stevenson ; 2nd, £2 2s, Mrs R. Duthie, Waihola Gorge ; 3rd, £1. Mrs Wm. Smith, Tokomairiro. None Commended. Class 71 — Cheese, Ist, Hoti Cer, Mrs Shennan ; 2nd, £1, Mrs Shennan. Class 73— Hams, pair, Mrs Petrie, Clutha, Commended. IMPLEMENTS. The exhibits in this department were not numerous, but the superior make and finish of the Reaping Machines exhibited were mnch admired, and the Judgos passed a highly recommended certificate to tbe Self Delivery, shown by R. Blackadder, Dnnedin, and made by Kemp, Murray and Nicholson. The Broadcast Sowing Machine, shown by Messrs B. Hibbard and Co., was an excellent implement. The Reaper, shown by the same firm, and made by J. Nicholson, Melbourne, was Highly Commended. A Turn" Wrest Plough, of a simple and efficient character, received Commendation. THE DINNER Was held in the Volunteer Hall, Milton. The President of the Society (Mr John L. Gillies) took the chair at 6.30 p.m., and was supported on his right by Mr Church (Secretary) and on his left by Messrs Rennie and W. A Todd, two of the Judges. Mr Peter M'Gill occupied the vice-chair. Amongst the company present, we noticed — Messrs Clark, MP.C. ; Sibbald, M.P.C. ; M Indoe. M.P.C.; Murray, M.P.C. ; Douglas, Sydney James, (Secretary to the Agricultural and Pastoral Society of Otago), Slesinger, Dale, Aitken, Anderson, (Wyndham), Kempshell, W. Gray, Bain, Lindsay, &c, &c. The dinner, supplied by Mr Goodall, was abundant, and excellent, and covers were laid for nearly one hundred, but there were comparatively few present to partake thereof. After a hearty repast enjoyed by the company, the chairman said he thought it would be desirable to combine the usual toast 1 ?, so that longer time could be devoted to those more in accordance with the objects of the Society. He regretted exceedingly to see so few present, and that even amongst those few, the greater part were strangers. It was a great pity that the settlers did not better support the Club in its endeavors to promote the interests of the pursuits in which they were engaged. Such an occasion as a public dinner after a Show was a good opportunity for gaining information, and profiting by the experience of others. He was afraid it would have an injurious influence upon the Society. He had pleasure in proposing— the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and Royal Family. The toast was drank with all the honors. The Army, Navy and Volunteers was responded to 'y Mr Kenneth Bain- The next toast was — The Governor of the Colony, the Superintendent of the Province, and the Provincial Council — coupled with the name of Mr Jas. M'lndoe, M.P.C, who, in returning thanks, said that the Governor was as yet an untried man, therefore little could be said abouthim. As to the Superintendent, he had been long tried, and was well known, and whatever might be said against him, he (Mr MJlndoe) thought him to be the " right man in the right place." With regard to the Provincial Council, no doubt his vote 3 had been criticised, but he had seen no reason to alter them, and under the same circumstances he should vote in a similar manner. He trusted that the votes and acts of tbe last session would ultimately prove for the good of the Province. Mr Sibbald, M.P.C. gave the toast of the evening — Success to the Tokomairiro Farmers' Clvb — coupled with the name of Mr Church, the Secretary. He had felt it to be a great treat to be present during the day, and although the Chairman had spoken in somewhat gloomy terms as to the success of the dinner, he felt inclined to think that they were nearly in the sunshine of their prosperity. Let them but follow on as they had begun and he was sure such a degree of success would attend their annual meetings as that the Hall would no* be large enough to contain the visitors. He needed not to eulogise Mr Church, whose name ho coupled with the toast, as his untiring efforts as Secretary were very well known. Mr Chnrch acknowledged the toast. He had from his youth up felt a deep interest in agricultural pursuits, and it was now his duty, as well as pleasure, to do everything he could to forward the interests of those engaged in them. These meetings tended to the material progress of agriculture, and helped to drive away many of the old prejudices and superstitions. He thought that the members of theße societies generally were too much inclined to limit their attendance and efforts to the Annual Show. There should be meetings of farmers once every two or three months, where conversation and discussion could take place on many subjects, which he believed would prove as important as the Annual Show in effecting improvements in agriculture and stock breeding. Mind must have contact with mind, or it was apt to rust. New and improved machinery to reduce expenses must be uaed, and the status of the agricultural laborer elevated to understand those improvements. Mr Church then read the list of the successful competitors at the Show. He stated that the show of horses and sheep was not so large as last year, but the Bhow of cattle was much larger and better, and as to dairy produce, it was superior to any show that had yet taken place. He concluded by remarking that they must not incline to the opinion that Tokomairiro was Otago. There were other Societies similar to their own, ; whose aim* and objects were identical ; and what was good for one was good for all. He gave them — Kindred Societies, coupled with the name of Mr Sydney James, Secretary to the Agricultural and Pastoral Society of [Otago. „ | Mr Sydney James congratulated the com.-? 1 .; I pany on the comparative success of the meet* ing. Although generally the exhibits were. Sfew, and th*>re was consequently little competition, there were evident sigus of improver ment To breeding. He alluded to the young stock, which were very ,^misin^;*: showed that the farmers were looking for- .

ward to what would soon become a source of wealth. He trusted he might be excused if he referred to the proceedings of the Society of whacli lie "w--is Secretary. A wrong impres-sioa-had got sila-oad that it was tbe wish of .that Society to do a«fay with local Shows. Not-himfpf "ih& sort was ever mooted. The idea was th^t the amount (L 600) voted by the Provincial Council, instead of being allotted a ?Vn»:i^st the Societies in the Province, should: he allotted to one Society, not yet in existence ; and that the whole of the money shoirlJ be expended in prizes at one grand Show for the Province ; the pla<:e of the Show to be decided annually by delegates from the various local Societies. It should be remembered that this money came out of onr pwn pockets, i Did we, or did the Province, reap any commensurate benefit for the LIOO given by Government at any of the local Shows.? . (Voices— Yes.) Experience had. proved that local Shows were good nurseries. ;', They were, in existence before they were subsidised, and would still exist if they did not for any particular year receive the subsidy ; -but the Stock,: Implements, &c.,'pf the Province generally have not yet been brought together. The inducement held out % any Society having the whole of the subsidy as well as the. means of the local Society, wherever it might, be held, at its disposal would be such, that the best stock, implements, &c., would be there exhibited. He thought the argument about not having railway communication was fallacious. He believed the Highland Society and the Boyal Society were in , existence before railways ; still, stock' of the. best in Scotland and England found ft s way to the annual gatherings. The same took- place in Victoria— (Voice^— No.)— and wherever great. inducement was held put by prizes,. .&c.,V there, not only the best', stock but the best stockowners and others deeply interested would find their way! -' A competition with really good animals, &c, would thus occur, which would be for the beat interests' of the Province, arid a commensurate . .benefit would thereby be reaped for the money voted by the Government! Mr James concluded by returning thanks for'the manner in which the toast had been received andrfesponded to. Mr Wm. Gray, in proposing — The Successful. Competitors — said it was always agreeable to be on the winning side. He differed in opinion from Mr James, and asked the very pertinent question, — What would the Highland Society have been but for the local Shows ? Mrr Kempshell, the winner of the Silver Cup, and other prizes, briefly replied. Outside of his own success he was pleased with the awards. The Chairman gaye — The Judges— who had the most onerous and important duties to perform connected with the Show. He thanked the gentlemen who had acted that day, and was extremely pleased to know that their decisions had met with almost universal approval. He .thought the settlers shoiild send forward more of their stock to these shows,! not so much for the purpose of taking a prize, or to beat their neighbours, as that they might be able to compare the stock they deem worthy of keeping with that pronounced by judges as superior. He was of opinion that it .would be beneficial if the Judges at the various Shows were asked to give a concise statement of the reasons for awarding prizes, as many competitors might think their own exhibits (thoxigh unsuccessful) the best. Those concise reasons would show where the superiority lay- He knew it was a difficult matter.; but still he thought it might be done. He might be allowed to refer to the remarks of Mr James with respect to a Central Show. It was an extraordinary fact that in Victoria the Board of Agriculture there cannot get up a successful show in any of the large commercial towns, and during the past season the only really good shows were those at Kyneton and Smeaton, purely agricultural districts. The reason why they had succeeded was that no undue predomidence was given to any particular class of stock — the money at the disposal of the societies was equally diffused. He regretted that an error had bsen committed by the Club this season in this respect, and it would be well to take care and impartially divide the money over the varied classes of stock, as it was intimately connected with the pros- - perity of these societies. He recommended members to attend more to the stocking of their paddocks with sheep as well as cattle. They had a cold plain, and the manure from the sheep being of a warm nature and also bo equally spread over the land would be very beneficial. Mr Anderson, of Wyndham. (Judge of sheep,) in returning thanks, said he had now been a resident in Otago for 20 years, and was well acquainted with the benefits of local societies at home, and had frequently endeavoured to found them here in the early days of the settlement. He was sorry to see such a poor selection of sheep atTokoruairiro, and there was one matter to which he would refer which greatly puzzled the Judges— that was, there was only one class for Long-wools. It was almost impossible to compare a Leicester with a Romney Marsh, &c. He regretted to note that the classification of the sheep was bad, and he could not say much more for the selection of the sheep in the pens. You, would find one good sheep in a pen and two., inferior, and so on. In Merinos wool should be the first consideration, and in Long-woolled, the carcHse. He thought that along with closeness in the wool of Merino sheep, attention should be paid to length of staple. Mr Anderson referred to the dispute in Class 28, with respect to age of sheep; although his opiaion was upset by the contrary opinion cf the other three Judges he still thought the difference of feeding would account for the forward state of the teeth of the sheep objected to. He recommended that the 'entries of sheep should state when lambed, and that also a statement should be made with regard to the mode of shearing, whether high or low shorn. Mr Kennie, of Dunedin (one of the Judges of cattle), paid a compliment to the. Club for its success, and expressed his opinion that the best thanks of all farmers, &c. were due to the Committee and Club for getting up such a comparatively good exhibition. It was not to be expected that, in a young country like this, they could get up such a Show as they would see at home ; but the preaent was comparatively a great success. He thought too much prominence had of late been given to the bonuses from Government, and too Tittle to individual exertion. There ■was too much inclination in this, as in other Sjnatters, %o shift the onus on to the shoulders of Government instead of private enterprise. He was quite sWe that there was, amongst the. ypwnteand Vising settlers of the district, equaiiiiint' and ability as at home, but they had not' the sanie opportunities of improvement jWait behoved them all to encourage these shows an&these meetings, where many useful hints might be picked" up. He did not look upon these meetings asJßacchanahan feasts '• but as meetings a^which the expres- -^ won of various opinions would tend to the S^js>d; and as such he thought even

ministers of the gospel should be present. If their proceedings were of such a questionable character it were better that none of them were there. —(Applause). With regard to the cattle the Show was comparatively a good one. Mr Todd said that he was, sure Messrs JEtennie and Anderson fully expressed then; pleasure in the wiy the Show had gone off, but he must say that he did expect to see a larger show of cattle, more especially of the dairy class - The reason he assigned for the deficiency was that the prevalence of pleuropneumonia had caused the settlers to lose their interest in the breeding of cattle. There had been a -good show of horses, especially in the young stock. He thought that the time was not far distant when money should cease to leave the Province for this description of stock ; the prices obtained by imports would amply repay breeders for^stock reared here. Farmers should keep different descriptions of stock upon their farms The droppings" from the sheep were very beneficial to the land : indeed he had proved that more butter could be made from cattle grazing in the same paddocks where sheep had been kept. As to sheep, the farmers should look more to carcase than to wool ; and the stock kept should be of the best description. He was of opinion that there ought not to be any jealousy between the different societies ; and that it was the interest us well as the duty of the farmers to support such a society as the one mentioned by Mr James. He had shown sheep in two local shows, but unsuccessfully, and had taken them to Dunedin and had had prizes, and got ready sale for them.-— (Cheers. ) "Mr Church proposed— The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests, coupled with the name of Mr Kenneth Bain, a young aspirant to fame, and one who, he was happy to state, had that day been successful. Mr Bain briefly responded. Mr Gray gave — The • Press -r and Mr Badeley, Manager of the 'Bruce Herald,' briefly responded. Mr G. Lindsay proposed— The Chairman and President of the Club. Mr Gillies, in reply, said that he was much pleased with the success of the dinner. Those who had not attended would regret not hearing the many useful and interesting remarks that had been made, especially by the Judges. Discussion such as had taken place was much better than the usual flattery of toast- drinking. The different 10-.al societies should not act in opposition and be jealous of each other. He was of opinion that they should be encouraged to such a pitch as soon to be enabled to have a grand central society ; but for the present they were not ripe for it. Mr Church proposed — Our Host and Hostess. The company separated at an early hour, after singing « Auld Lang Syne.' The observations made by the various speakers were seasonable and interesting, and heartily would we rejoice could we ensure an equal amount of discussion at every such dinner, where monotonous formality is usually the characteristic, or mayhap something more disagreeable.