METROPOLITAN SHOWS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16693, 29 November 1919, Page 9

METROPOLITAN SHOWS.

MANAWATU AND CANTERBURY.

INTERESTING COMPARISONS

At tho close of last Show Week tho "Dominion" printed a comparison between the Canterbury Metropolitan Show and tho Mannwatu A. and P. Association's big fixture. To somo of these criticisms our agnPu~ tural editor prepared a reply. V.'* submitted tho two articles to varioo* prominent members of tho Canterbury A. and P. Association for their opinions, and wo giro some of these , below. "Wo hope wo may bo ablo t«> print farther opinions shortly. The "Dominion's" articlo was as follows: — Tho metropolitan shows of tho North and South Islands, ns thoso of the Manawatu and Cantoroury A. and P. Associations have come to be looked upon, aro now Among tho things of tho past for 1019, therefore it is a fitting time to compare these two fixtures, between which £o much rivalry has existed for many years. Tho Canterbury Association was tho moro fortunate in the matter of weather than was tho northern Association, and as its show lias tho advantage of being hold during Canterbury's Carnival Week, it is notsurprising that tho attendance was larger than that at Palmerston North, where the show -was tho only attraction to bring visitors to tho big inland North Island town

It can bo said unhesitatingly that tho Polmerston show grounds have an advantage over Christchurch in the matter of buildings, iu which the latter are sadly deficient. The cattlo' pavilion, at th 0 northorn ground is undoubtedly tho finest in the Dominion, while the Christchurch ground is Gadly lacking in this respect, neither cattlo nor sheep bciDg under cover, and the buildings generally are out of date, and not up to requirements. Another important matter in which Manawatu leads is the money provided for prizos. Hie committee of that body is vory much alive to tho importance of this matter, and for tho last show collected over £1500. while at Christchurch the committee was satisfied with a modest £150. In a district lilco Canterbury it appears surprising that such a small amount* should bo raisod. So far as the entries go, Palmerston has tho advantage. Ati Christchurch there were 1876 exhibits, as against 1476 for the provioug show, while at Palmerston the figures wore* 4162 for 1919, against 3500 for 1918.

Naturally sheep were a much stronger section here than at the nor£hern show, including some very fine specimens of merinos, English Leicester Border Leicester, Shropshire, halfbreds, and a grand collection of Corriedales, which breeds aro not affected in the north, where the principal class is Romneys. This class was but a small one at Canterbury, and tho quality did not compare favourably with the spocimens shown at Palmerston, where the section Romncy Marsh in natural condition was one of tho finest over seen in tho Dominion. It must bo admitted that the Canterbury is, and is likely to be, the premier sheep show of the Dominion, if not of Australasia, but for other stock Manawatu can easily hold its own. However, tho name which Canterbury has attained for mutton led one to expect a much bettor display of fat sheep, but this section was really no better than was the case at Manawatu.

Cattle, however, were a very strong section, the principal feature l>eing the veTy large entries _ in tho pedigree Shorthorn classes, in which there were 146 head. The class for aged bull brought out eleven fashionably-bred animals, all in excellent condition. Two-year-old bulls were represented by over a while the yearlings were a magnificent class of 40. Competition was keen throughout and the quality of the young stock was certainto an improvement on Palmerston. In bulls to bo judged for milking qualities. 36 competed, and the class waß a specially good one. Tho female 'classes were equally strong in proportion. The milk, mg Shorthorns were about on a par at both shows. The Red Polled were a small but good section. The Jerseys were only a small entry, and the quality did not compare favourably with Palmerston. -The same remark applies to Ayrshires. Friesians were limited to an entry of 40, butthO quality on thq vhole was below that of the northern show. The Cluny Park entries did not put in an appearance. Draught Horses were not op to the average as to numbers, and tho competitors from Dunedin and Taieri, which have jbeen such a feature of thte show in the past, were absent. The quality of all but the junior female breeding classes was poor, but the two-year-old fillies stood alone as a class. The light harness horses section was about on a par with that at Palmerston. Canterbury does not cater for arts crafts, &nd tho public school seetions and dairy produce sections -were poor. The pigs were no improvement on the northern show, either in quality or quantity, and tho same remarks apply to the home industry section. Tho returned soldiers' section was much smaller here. The new class for exhibits of work in native timber was a small but good _ section, and might well be copied with advantage. Some years ago this show was famous for the display of agricultural implements, for which a special day was allotted, but now, in common with most shows, this class is sparsely filled. On the whole, there can be no question that the big Canterbury show has gone back, and unless the conservative methods adopted at present are modernised it will still further deteriorate. Tho management leaves a lot to bo wished for, and -unless Canterbury is prepared to lose tho good name it has had in the past the Association will have to adopt more up-to-date methods. In past years a result board has been utilised in all judging rings, and is a great convenience to the public, but on the present occasion these _ useful methods of conveying information to the public have been abandoned. On the other hand, the Manawatu Association has shown that it is prepared to take lessons from # other shows, and with its live committee is making further improvements in the management in various ways, and evidently intends bringing its show well up to tne times.