METROPOLITAN SHOW, 1885.

Press, Volume XLII, Issue 6304, 2 December 1885, Page 6

METROPOLITAN SHOW, 1885.

Patron, Mr George Gould; President, Hon, J. T. Peacock; Viee-Presidenr, Mr William Boagj Hon. Treasurer, Mr Divid Craig; Secretary, iMr M. Murphy. The annual Show of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association took place this year under far more favourable auspices as regarded weather,; and conae(jueatly attendance cf viaitors, than last y«MM=-_3|he Mmcott two <ls.ya-.of day - there-., .waa *o~ interfere with their comfort. Tee tramcars running to the ground during tiie day were crowded with-; passengers, and it is TOjAwifucVuy to record tiiat m accident; of any kind occurred to mar the pleasure of the day. i Tho cabs and omnibuses too did ft- roaring trade, and, as on former years, a very large number of persons strolled gently down Colombo street, preferring the exercise of the wait to being cooped up in a crowded train car or 'bus. It ia satisfactcry to be able to say that the attendance on the occasion of the last show to bo held by the Association "on the g 4 «ounds they have so longooonpied will compare favorably with that of preceding years as evidenced j by the amount of money tafcan at the gates. In 1888 tbe sum was £920, last year .£697 3a Id, and

on Wednesday £836 Bs, the latter representing, roughly speaking, some I%QOO visitors. With regard^ta the numbeaiiof entries the,following.is the.comparative statement of hist year and this > — '■'' BHIBP. <* 1885. 1881. Merino 83 64 English Leicester ... 38 42 Border Leicester ... 33 40 Lincolna ... ... ... 87 34 Bomney Marsh „. 1 14 Cotewold and Downs ... 88 87 Crossbreds .. 8 17 ! Fat Sheep... ... ... 31 31 | Estras 8 2 327 331 CAXT3JS. * Shorthorns ... ... 71 80 Other Breeds ... ... 40 67 Fat Cattle 63 19 Extras ... _ ... 1 9 165 175 BOSSES. Draughts... ... ... 53 61 Light Horses ... ... 78 69 ©ais Sweepstakes' ... . 4 8 ~135 137 Pigs ... ... ... 81 95 Dogs :.. ... ... 12 30 Dairy Produce .../— 97 90 Cured and Preserved M«wt* ... ... 26 34 Wool ....... ... * 10 Implements ... ... 376 272 Carriages ... 25.; 22 New Zealand Menufictnres". ...' ... 82 73 I Total... ... 1275 1298

The Showthroughout wasa very excellent one, and there is promise that next year will not only inaugurate tho new grounds of the Association, but will also witnees. the return to our Show of'the Southern exhibitors, whose absence,however much we may pride "ourselves upon* our own stock, must tend to reduce the attraction, of the Show as a whole. It is, therefore, satitfactory to gather from some re--marks made at the luncheon that ourSouthern friends will not improbably come next year and try conclusions with tiie local breeders. ' The experiment of a three days* show has now been tried for two years, and there can Tie no doubt of the; great convenience alike 5 to the public and the judges. The general public are now enabled to have a full day's inspection of all the exhibits entirely free from the restraints which had formerly to; be placed upon them, and the'judges themselves are enables to see something more of the show than the apecific classes on which they may happen to be engaged. This they were unable' to do in... former years, until the present improvement - was introduced, and (now that its working has become to be so much appreciated, it is to be hoped that the Association will continue it oh the new ground. The Association had'hoped this year to be favored with the presence of "the Governor, who takes a keen interest in gatherings of this kind, but, owing to circumstances, which all will regret, his Ercellency"Was unable to accept the invitation cf the Association to attend. The sight of so many thousands of well-dressed contented-looking people taking their pleasure, and the products of the industry, thrift, and, enterprise of the population of this part or the country, could not have failed to - have impressed a stranger with the idea' that New Zealand is not such a bad place after 1 all. The arrangements were, as usual,' excellent. Under the able superintendence, of Mr M. Murphy, the zealous Secretary of the Association, 'whose courtesy and calm discharge of -duty 'no event could shake, ; the wort of -the show was carried out withsmoothness/and Another officer of the Association, unobtrusive - but arduous 7 work is known but to a few, Mr D. Craig, sat at the receipt of customs- in the Treasurer's office, and the - large amount of money taken shows that his office for Wednesday at least was* by no means a sinecure. The Garrison and Stanmore bands played alternately during the day, and the selections by both were much admired, The V.M.C.A. utilised the occasion by holding a bazaar on the grounds in aid of their funds. This was well patronised during the day, and afforded a cool retreat from the glare of the sun, though in many cases those who entered found it rather an expensive luxury., The Horticultural Society as usual held their spring show in a large marquee, and 'the: .beautiful flowers exhibited attracted a large number of visitors during the day. amusements were .ni^fuH"'swing and appeared to do well. One gentleman who had the assurance to get up a little gambling, game right under the Secretary's oflice fell into the clutches of the police at an early period of his ; career,, and was removed 'in custody, 5 his stoc-k----in-trftde being also confiscated. The Committee had made such arrangements as would ensure the suppression of illegal game's, and the rapidity with which detection followed in this case /showed that their measures had been well taken. A novelty in games was exhibited in the shape of three basins into' whi-jh the player had to throw a copper coin from a distance, receiving odds from the gentlemanly proprietor of the simple outfit when the feat was accomplished. It may appear simple to do this, but in reality it was exceedingly difficult, as no sooner was the coin in the basin than it was out, A good many people tried their hand, but the only result was to enrich the gentleman who ran the show., Mr Amyes catered for the Committee luncheon in his usual first-class style, and Mr Keanehad the-other booths; over which he had erected the significant motto *' Success, to the Canterbury Agricultural and. Pastoral Association and the West Coast Bailway."' The police, as usual, were on the ground, but beyond the case referred to there was no call upon them officially. .. ~