THE MANAWATU SHOW.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11748, 24 November 1903, Page 4

THE MANAWATU SHOW.

IMPRESSIONS OF A CHBISTCBftJBOH VISITOR. Next to the November Show at Addington the residents of Canterbury display the greatest interest in the Manawatu,A. and P. Association's annual fixture at Palmerston North, which, according to some critics, gives promise of eclipsing, if it does not now eclipse, the Canterbury Show. The following impressions of the Northern Show, formed by Mr George Gould, president of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, will prove of interest Mr Gould, speaking to a representative of "The Press," said that he had not had time tothoroughiy examine tho Palmeraton North Show, which he attended on one- day only, as oil the time he was there he was busy judging. Speaking generally, and tkking the show as a whole, his impression was that it does not equal the Canterbury Metropolitan Show. At Addington there are many more permanent stalls and greater stabling accommodation for cattle and horses than at Palmer-ton North, and in many respects the Manawatu A_aßci_tion's grounds are not so complete as those of the Canterbury Association. There is no doubt that, to the residents at Paimerston North and district the chow is the one big event of the year, for which the whole countryside lays itself out. There are no counter attractions of any sort to compete with it, and to many who attend it, it is practically their only annual outing. In Canterbury, on the other hand, there are always entertainments and amusements and novelties of all sorts which encourage farmers to take holidays and spend their money. , The Manawatu Association hog succeeded in doing what the Canterbury Association is endeavouring to do—to moke the second day of tho show more popular. They had on their second day what would be considered in Canterbury a very fine attendance. On that occasion in the afternoon the grand stand, which Mr Gould estimated would hold quite as many persons as the stand at Addington, was nearly full. All the spectators showed keen appreciation of the different events progressing, and it was evident that there weia number of formers.living in the neighbourhood who tool: : a very real interest in the management of the show. It appeared to Mr Gould that the Manawatu Association had a much better method than the Canterbury Association of keeping visitors to the show acquainted with the classes' that wero being judged and witte the awards made. This by mean- of indicators placed in the judging ringß, and thero. is no doubt that it is greatly appreciated by, and odds greatly to the pleasure of, the public. It alio appeared to Mr Gould that the Manawatn Association -caters more for the amusement of the public in the ring events than is done by the local Association. It is true that in some cases tho utility of the competitions is sacrificed to attain this object. For instance, in the hunters' competitions at the Addington Show, what is aimed at is not so much the amusement of the public as the providing of facilities to the judges upon which to base their decisions. At Paimerston North they have various compotitio_s which, of themselves, ore of little value, but which provide considex-ble en-

tertainment to the spectators. There h\,tor instance, a •Leeplechasmg competition. A«y<we .-who.. .Ja__ra'.„_rh_t —steeplechasing is, will recognise that a small ring with a total circumference probably of 400 voids is quite unsuitable for steeplectuuung. "included in the course are doubles, with such a very short interval between them that a horse, going at steeplechase pace, really cotild net jump them, .In spite of these dis_dvMri-g«e, however, the com- i petition was one in which very great interest was shown. j Although he was unable to look closely through -the horse classes, Mr Gould was of opinion that the draught horses shown at Polsoerston North fell far short of those seen this year at Addington. There was a better show of thoroughbreds at the North Island Show, amongst the thoroughbred sires being Conqueror and Advance. The last-named was nob in stallion condition,; although in any case it is doubtful/-]}!* Gould- thought, Jf in the j&mg&jf' Advance is* as fine a, Of the sheep he war able to look pfr'was'the Southdowna, and of th«*e ih*f» was a very creditable stow indeed, the exhibits of Mr Strtckey and< of Messrs Nelson Brothers being particularly jraU brosuchfa puU JUjmxi the whole, the South-owns were superior to those shown at Addington. Ilbmneyu and Lincolns were excellent classes; but the Leicestero and Shropshire* fell far short of the e*hibite of these breeds at> the Canterbury Show. Of the cattle, Mr Gould could speak only of the Jerseys, This was a very large class, but the average of excellence wsa not high, although ift one, or two classes—notably in the aged bulls and two-year-old and yearling heifers—-there were one or two really good animals shown. 1 '-■•■.