THE HOKITIKA SHOW.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9816, 27 August 1897, Page 2

THE HOKITIKA SHOW.

Br a Loveb of Feathebs.

TheHokitika Poultry, Pigeon and Canary exhibition—the third show held under the auspices of the Hokitika Horticultural and Poultry Society —came off to date on August 4th and sth. It is pleasing to record that the show was a marked suocess. Despite the threatening weather of the previous few days, the proverbial weather which has invariably graced the shows—flower and poultry—held under this society again prevailed, and the society is again to be congratulated upon its possession of a " luck bringer." The opening of the show was marked by a flight of homing pigeons, some 200 birds, being released from a couple of long boxes in front of the Town Hall. A move was then made for the interior, where the Mayor, in formally opening the exhibition, made the usual polite references to the management and then dilated at length on the commercial, value of poultry, and the usefulness of the pigeon tribe. Then followed a general inspection of the exhibits.

The society has received a record entry, 387, and the birds were staged in two buildings as previously— the poultry in the drillshed and the pigeons and canaries in the Town Hall. In poultry the best entry was for game and Leghorns. Of the former, Old English, of course, prevailed. The West Coast seems to be the home of thi3 type. Spangles were the greatest and the best, some splendid birds being shown. Blackreds did not please the judge, and in this and other classes he showed a decidedly critical mood in deciding on the relative merits of the birds. The best bird in this section was a, black-red cockerel shown by Mr J. J. Breeze. This bird was shown at Nelson, also, where it likewise secured first honours. Mr Bicharde, of Boss, had a couple of Spangles entered in the wrong class, which were about the next best of this section, though Mr Breeze's Australian Game, in the Any Other Variety Class, would probably have proved the best bird in the show were he in condition. His size quite oat-distanced all others, and his big, raking appearance drew general Attention.

The Leghorns were a good class, and competition keen as far as a few birds were concerned. The winning cock hailed from Nelson, while the winning cockerel, which defeated the cock iv the run for the guinea special, was raised by Mr T. Coks, of Kokiri, who was justly proud of what was a brilliant victory.

Orpingtons drew forth excellent competition, the most successful exhibitor in this section being Mr Sinclair, though Mr Keller's winning cockerel at Nelson was again first in his class.

Wyandottea were a large class but faulty. Messrs Whittaker Bros., of Timaru were exhibitors in this class, and the foreign competition excited considerable interest The local men, however, more than held their own.

The Andalcsians, though fair in number, were also poor in quality. The winning male bird was shown by Mr Shallcrass, of Kelson, while Mr Barton captured the heu or pallet class.

L&ngshans were from fair to medium, and the Minorcas and Spanish poor. Dorkings made up in quality what they lacked in numbers, though the same can hardly be said of the Brahmas. Hainburgs were none too good, while the pride of the Any Other Variety class were a trio of Scotch Greys recently imported fr m Clarksons , (Christchurch) by our County°Chainnan, who has just joined the fancy. Pefeins and Ajlesburys were represented by some good specimens, but we are promised something extra good in Pekine next year, so will suspend judgment in the interval.

Working Homers were the largest class in pigeons, and included some handsome birds. Antwerps showed a considerable falling off in quantity and quality, but Tumblers were better, and Mr Mahan'a Balds were pronounced the best in the show. Fans were fair, »nd then oaa» an interoting norio*

das 3. This section was nicely staged, and with plenty of room aud light, the birds looking extremely well. The canaries were a real good class. They numbered thirty-three in all, containing many first-class birds. This was the most even section in the show. Other cage-birds were not numerous, the most attractive being the doves.

The society was deservedly congratulated on all sides on the general sucoess achieved. The attendance the fust day *«-4 very good, but tbat of the second day was not as large from a financial point of view, though as all sohool children w«si,» admitted free during the afternoon the total would probably exceed that of the previous day. What seemed to interest the youngsters most was a very fine peacock, exhibited by a settler. The usual complete arrangements were again made. The ladies' committee supplied ft refreshment stall, Ac; a musical programme was forthcoming each evening. Mr Daere, of Christchnrch, was **-- l-'^Z-i and as already mentioned whs very in his judgment, and some of his decisions were not relished; but the disappointed mast bear in mind that something near the standard innst be achieved, and that the advantage of a critical judgment at this sfcafie of the society's life will ba best in the )\>iv; runApart from this slight friction, which applied chiefly to the poultry, Mr Dacie gave general satisfaction.

A number of sales were effected during the show. Mr Boon's (Nelson) Brown Leghorn cock and cockerel were each claimed at catalogue price, Mr Shallcrass (N«J«ou) <<isi)G3ed of a pair of Andalnsians, Orpingtons were sold by Messrs Smith and Sinclair, Leghorns aud Game by Mr Breeze, Dorkings by Mr P and Wyandottes by Mr Dee. The fancy appears to have caught on with great and growing firmness, and when next show comas round there should be little doubt but that the show just past will be eclipsed. That is the hope and wish of our ardent fanciers. Vale.

By Fascier. A local fancier has just received from England two pairs of Lancashire Copies. The Dragon fancy in Christchurch has not been strong for some time now. However, the breed has found & new votary in Master Tom Kesteven, who expects a pair from Australia per Wakatipu. Mr Beumelberg, not content with breeding Andaluaians and black rose-combed Bantams, has started in Tumblers; and it is possible he will send to England for some Owls and perhaps show Homers.

The following are the results of the North Otago Pigeon Flying Club's race, flown from Ashburton last week ; Mr G. Baker's Crackshot and Goldspin, 1 (1286 yards per minute); Mr A. Foss' Will-If-I-Can and .Wait-a-Bit, 2 (1158 yards per minute).

Mr Arthur Smith received from Australia last week a pair of Short-faced Blue Beards, a pair ot Archangels, a pair of Blue Chequer Owls and one white African Owl, and the Clarkson Bros, received a pair of Barbs.

The Archangels are the first seen in Christchurch, and it is many years since any of our local breeders had Blue Chequer Owls or Short-faced Beards. As to Barbs, well, I know of two pairs of a kind, but that is all we have had in Christchurch for a long time. I can, however, remember when Barbs were plentiful in this town, five varieties of them too, and good ones at that.

There also arrived last week from Australia a pair of Blue show Homers. How this breed is booming ! The pair have been presented to the Flying Club to be competed for in a race. But iffthe number of competitors be on a par with the quality oi the birds, the competition will be by no means keen.

Such big prices have been given in the Old Country for show Homers that fanciers in the colony can hardly expect much for a tenner a pair, even if they send that amount to England for them. Therefore we need not be surprised if the show Homers which have been imported here from Australia at lower prices per pair are not as good as one could Wish. Still, even the material at hand and that whicli 13 on the way, though not the best, will, neverthbless, be something to work with, and the result of two or three seasons' breeding will, no doubt, result in the real mackay in the way of show Homers being seen at our shows.