THE METROPOLITAN SHOW-1890.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7719, 26 November 1890, Page 3

THE METROPOLITAN SHOW-1890.

p at*°n-Sir Johe Hall, K.C.M.G. PreaiientMγ John Anderson, junr.. Vice-Preaidenc— Mr Samuel Garforth. Hon. •Seasurer-Mr David Craig. Consulting Chemist—Mr G, ««yi F.aa (Lecturer on Cfiemietry. school of Agriculture, Lincoln). Genera. Ijonimittee—Messrs H. P. Murray-Aynsley Wm. Boag, P. Cunningham, John Deans, i*eter .Duncan, John Tucfcer Ford, John JTergaaon, Hon. E. Gray. J. GoukL, John Grigg, "William Hendereon, Sir John Hall, K.OJtt.G,, George King, A- W. Money, J, T. Matson, D.McMillan, John Mcßeath. William Norman, Henry Oveccon, J. W. Overton. Hon. J. T. Peacock. A. E. G. Khodes. M.H.R., E. G. Staveley. Audi tors- Messrs O. C Alkman ana F. Waymouth, Secretary—Mr M. Murphy, F.L.S. The annual Show of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association— the great bucolic holiday of the yearopened oa Nov. Bth Oα the new grounds ac Addington, The weather was excellent after the various samples with which we have been favored during the few first days of the Carnival week. Of course it was not to be expected that there would be a large attendance oi the occasion. Those who went. were the practical farmers and those who desired to have a quiet contemplative look over the stock, which is noc to be obtained when the large crush of people on the popular day take*, place. Though this was so, there was a fairly numerous attendance, including many of our Northern visitors. Some of these paid theirfirst visitfon Thursday to our show, and expressed themselves as highly delighted, noc only with the qnality of the stock, &c, but also the arrangements of the show grounds. Whilst speaking of the arrangements there is just one little matter which may be commended to the attention of the' Committee in future years. That is, with regard to the produce shed. The exhibits in this department of the allow are always exceedingly popular, comprising as they do examples of the various local industries which have grown up in our midst. . There is, therefore, a great and natural desire on the part of the visitors to have a look over these. But owing to the fact that the judges' labors being continued until late in the afternoon, this is not obtainable until about 4 p.m. Jf it were possible, either by the judges commencing earlier, or having them subdivided up into sections, so as to get, over the work earlier, the matter referred to would be rectified. On Thursday a number of visitors who had pressing engagements iv the > city in the afternoon were forced to leave without having seen ttits pirt of the I exhibits. If some such course has as been alluded to, were adapted so as to enable the judging to be completed 'by noon, all those present on the ground on the firso day would have an opportunity of in- \ I specting the local iuduscry exhibits. From the popularity already referred to it is impossible on the sacond day to get near the exhibits. The shed is always crowded to excess, which prevents anything more than a cursory glance, and sometimes noc I even that, and therefore it is more than ever desirable that if it can be arranged, facilities should'be afforded for a thorough inspection by those who .pay tb.e additional entrance fee on the opening day. The general arrangements as -to the placing of exhibits, etc., were similar to those of former years, so that there is no need for reference to this. Ti»e providing of telephonic communication is a : great boon. The office is placed under that; allotted to the Secretary, and will, no doubt, be greatly appreciated to-day. The Osborne well is also another 'improvement/ which it is intended to utilise still further later on by putting the Water into the grand stand which it Is proposed to erect. Had bricks been able to have been got, the probability is that, the grand stand would have been' ready this year, but as it is the public will have to wait until next year for. this convenience, by which' the various jumping events, which are amongst the most popular features of the show, will, be enabled to be seeu to the best advantage and in.' comfort. The various exhibits are fully-described under their various headings, but a brief reference may be made here to the intrbduc- , tion for the first time on the Show Ground of electricity as power.,. This was in the permanent building occupied by Messrs Mason, Struthers and Co., and was; used iv driving the De Laval separators. Twp dynamos were at work, one five horse and one a baby half-horse. The smoothness with which 'the gear ran, though only on a temporary* foundation, was' the theme of general admiration, whilst the -steadiness and , ; brilliancy of the-two lights exhibited driven by the same power was also very noticeable. Mr Postlethwaite, electrical engineer, of Geraldine, : was the exhibitor of the apparatus, which waa the "centre of attraction during the periods it was at, work».-> , .■•■-•••.. ■- ■ Coming now to the show proper, the following table shows the number of entries since 1872,'-by which-the-steady increase ; in-size and importance .of the Metropolitan Show can be seen at a glance. The figures are as follows* —

This shows a very good record for the present year, Albeit that there is a slight decrease. As has already been said, the various departments are described in de- i tail elsewhere, and therefore it need only be remarked that speaking generally the show is a very good one. In implements, , there is as usual a very excellent display; ] the sheep and cattle are good, and the , draught horses fully up to the standard of j former years as regards quality. Mr Murphy, the genial and courteous secretary, with his trusty henchman, Mr Thomas ■ Turner* was as usual to the fore yesterday, and was. always ready and able to answer satisfactorily the thousand and one queries with which exhibitors and others vex the soul of the Secretary on Show day. Mr David Craig, whbhas—speaking metaphorically—grown erey in the service o£ the Association, was at the receipt of Custom at the gate, and appeared to take a very satisfactory number of half-crowns. The luncheon arrangements, as in former years, are in the cantbie hands ot Mr P. Burke, who has eiven such, satisfaction in the past. Yesterday s lunch was not only admirably served, but was complete in every detail. S One noticeable item was the three mottoes which appeared on the menu cards, viz., "Good appetite; good wine, and «ood humor." ihe Kuests supplied the first and last, and Mr Burke took good care of the second. The Women's Christian Tern! oerance Union, as last year.had a refreshment tent near the produce shed, where j some really excellent tea was dispensed | by Mesdames Newton, May, Sheppard, Corlett, Misses Gordon, Smith, &c. The ladies have been to a: considerable amount ] of trouble, not only to fit. up a very j comfortable tea-room, bet also,, by the kindness of many friends, they are enabled to put forth a very tempting j menu for luucb torday. There is nothing so refreshing as a good cup of tea, and this the kindness of Messrs Jameson and Anderson enables the ladies injjharge to I give. ;ln view of the good work in which they are engaged, and the great convenience to visitors, especially ladies, it is jo be-hoped the public, will liberally support ijTmay be taken that the: Metropdlitah Show of was fairly and successfully launched. , ; :

1 Total . .J Implements & . Carriages .. turijs&'Wool Poultry .. Dairy Produce Meat, &o. .. pigs..; .. Horaoa .. Caltle Sheep - ' \ ;■ 85! 37 h> 18 29 124 el 226 78 20 ( 16 38 13 20 36 ; 1 14 5 27 27 34 74 47 1 103 '70 63 .C2 94 90 92 123 110 139 ~330 221*267 !'i 917 \ 62 * 123 30 ,8 39 H 55 133 317 102] "922 1 • 109 . 50 15 ■H H 121I 37 303 J 105, 112 ,144 'ioS 1180 1303 197 237 342 2371 : . 52 42 133 42 \ Iβ 5 10 5 SO 31 SO 35 « ,:. 30 17 3d lit 131 148 131 294 310 26 "157 190 187 190 13101 10 35 » 148 26 187 1298 121 373 116 " 18 ■» M 145 337 1229' 1529 1298 128 205 130 17 24 30 9. 1,32 |25 3U 118 330 111 91 98 ■ 1 314 ■» 17 « 128 143 148 189 ltf 369 ~ii HI US 163 113 132 106 82 - 44 42 :j 18 126 108 346 353 95 113 1263 10^5 .398, - : • 1 ~ i* - ■■ .192 169 1407 ' 121 376 K 125 "Iβ * m 103 "Ho ilttO w 400 r=. H " 21 ot 213 130 378 in 1430 83 M 17. 41 230 H 419