Agricultural Show.

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 73, 2 December 1875, Page 6

Agricultural Show.

The annual Show of stock, dairy produce, &c., in connection.with the Clutha, Agricultural and Pastoral Association Was held in Barr's paddock, Balclutha, on Friday last. The weather throughout the week had been very wet, and From the flooded state of rivers and creeks it was anticipated that owners of much of the stock intended for exhibition would be unable to bring 1 them forward. This unfortunately turned out to be the case, and considerable disappointment was thereby occasioned. In particular, the Molyneux river was flooded to a greater extent than it has been for years, so much so, lhat the punt on the Inch Glutha ferry was almost, if not wholly unworkable, and only a few of the residents on the island subjected their valuable stock to the risk attendant upon crossing them. Hitherto a not inconsiderable portion of the stock exhibited at the Clutha Show have been brought from the Tsland, and their absence this year much detracted from the success of the Show of Friday. Another circumstance which operated very mnch against the Show was the dryness of the spring weather which kept back the grass so that stock were not in the best condition for exhibiting, and "consequently there existed a reluctance on the part of their owners to bring them forward. The weather on Friday proved no exception to the rule of the week. Tt was liberty cold and wet, and in the early portion of the day in particular, everything looked very miserable. Exhibitors kept their horses, &c, under shelter in the township until near the time for their entering the ring, and then they were as quickly removed, so that the show ground presented much of a forsaken appearance to what is usual on a Show day in the Clutha. The exhibition, however, by no means proved a failure as some had anticipated/ On the contrary, so far as some of the classes were 'concerned, particularly the sheep, it was admitted on all hands to be the best we have ever had, and this both as regards numbers and quality. In the merino class, Mr John Johnstone, Kaihiku, carried almost all before him, while in the Leicester and Lincoln classes Mr Scott, of the Waitepeka, as usual took first honors. In the Romney Marsh, Mr Oakden, of the Clifton Station, took the prizes, and the very superior animals he exhibited highly deserved them. Of horses and cattle the entries were not numerous, l>ut there were some fine animals present. Ther* 1 was a large number of entries of agricultural implements, and the exhibits attracted much attention. Of poultry there was a poor show, although a white game cock and hen exhibited by Mr Legge, attracted much attention, and were deservedly admired. They have just been imported from Wimbleton, England, in the ship Taunton, and we understand they have taken first honors at some of the largest poultry shows at home. In the Dairy Produce exhibition, the samples, as a whole, were very good indeed. Mrs Watt carried off the box of tea for fresh butter ; Mrs Joseph i Robertson for powdered ; Messrs Sandi lands and Hadden for salt. Mrs Paton, of Tokomairiro, also took a box of tea for full milk cheese, and a second prize of 10s. Her exhibits were really firstclass and such as should satisfy the taste of the most fastidious. Mrs Clark, of Hillend, took the first prize for fancy made-up butter, and her exhibit was an admirable piece of art, and must have cost a considerable amount of time and ingenuity to place it together. Notwithstanding 'the cold wet day there was a large number of visitors in the tewnship, and in attendance at the Show, and but for the weather, the exhibition would undoubtedly have proved a great success, -and an improvement upon former Shows. The following is the LIST OP PHIZES.