The Oamaru Agricultural Show.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 20, 26 November 1874, Page 6

The Oamaru Agricultural Show.

'f . " . (From the •Daily Times.') i The eleventh Annual Exhibition of the the Northern.; Agricultural and Pastoral Association commenced on.Thursday. .,'. The. feather during ; the previous, / day and morning was dull and threaten- ; ing, and fears were entertained that a B * °! et * <wraa brewing ; but such surmises happily proved .erroneous, the day, being all that the most . fastidious could 'desire. The gathering has been . a success, , both as, to the number of exhibits in most classes and the attendance.: Ttie yard—a splendid one— was in excellent condition, and tbe - arrangements perfect, . reflecting ..great credit on the. Secretary and not a single hitch of any moment arming during the proceedings. The attendance, though large— about 1500— was. scarcely equal to expectation, which may be accounted for: from the uncertain state of the - weather, and the Committee, having, made two Show days instead of one as hitherto. The absence of horse exhibits (reserved for Friday), and of the band, marred the day's, enjoyment ; still, on the whole, it was an uumistakeable .success. The exhibits of ; merino 'sheep were in excess of previous years, and of a superior description. Longwools wer-a' numerous, the two-toothed being especially noteworthy. The cattle exhibits were numerous, but we noticed a, falling off in shorthorns— especially the absence of the Hon. M. Holmes's superior Ayrshires. Still, tbe exhibits in this class' were extensive and .superior. The ybumr bulls and heifers were very fine— there haa never been a better show of Ayrshires in New Zealand. The dairy produce exhibite were scarcely equal in number to last year, and in quality not more than equal. The butter, fresh, powdered, and salt,' was of fair quality, as was also the home-cured ham and bacon. The poultry show waa unquestionably meagre, the variety being fewer than usual. There 1 -were, however, several pens of splendid dorkings and game fowls—the game bantams were especially admired. There was a litter of beautifuL guinea pigs, anovel exhibit,- which attracted much attention. Among, the implement* were some double ; furrow ploughs and reaping machines from the factory of Messrs Reid and Grey, of excellent workmanship, and, also, waggons and other conveyances, adapted . for farm' work. Messrs M'Nab (a new local firm) exhibited a back delivery reaping machine, with improved speed regulator, much, approved of; also, a pair of iron 12 feet swing gates, of c superior class. Jack and Co., a new firm took first prize for a double furrow plough! The refreshment booths, under the management of Mr J. Doyland, of the Oamaru Hotel, were well patronised. Some saddle* and harness, made and shown by Mr. J. Morris, of Oamaru, were of first-clas.** workmanship, and were; admired by crowds. The carriages of various kinds, made and shown by H. Kite, were creditable.