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Clutha Leader, Volume XXIV, Issue 1222, 3 December 1897, Page 9

The eleventh Annual show of the above society was held on the society's show ground, Olutha Park, yesterday. The weather, always an important factor, in the success or otherwise of these and similar gathering?, left nothing to be desired. Indeed, the clay was about the only good clay experienced during the last two months, ancl if the society had had the choosing of it, it could not have been better. But while the day was fine for the show the Vsftects of the backward season and the exceedingly unseasonable weather of fehe earlier,} part of the week made its 'influence felt in moro than ono direction to the detriment of the show. The entries on the whole were not so numerous nor were the stock, at any rate in many cases in that pink, of condition, we have been accustomed to see at these shows. But taken altogether the show was singularly successful, and the society has every reason to feel gratified. The Clutha Show is said to be the best south of Dunedin, and we believe its position in this respect will be fully maintained this year. The show day is the great high day of the district, the event of the year, at which everybody from ths oldest to the youngest makes it their business to attend. Yesterday was no exception. Many were the anxious forebordings in the early morning. Weather glasses and weather prophets were consulted, but as the day wore on and the sun came out in its summer brightness, everyone dressed in their Sunday best, all classes of conveyances were called into requisition and soon the roads to the different railway stations or those to Balclutha were thronged with people. The Railway Department had made ample provision for the day, and the train 3 from noith and south and Catlins Branch brought in large crowds of people. The Catlins train particularly was well loaded and the number that came from that district was considerably larger than last year. The show ground presented a gay spectacle in the afternoon. In places the ground was somewhat damp, but this did not interfere with the enjoyment of the gathering. Compared with last year the gate shows a slight reduction, LBS 2s 6d being taken as against LB7 13s 6d last year, but the attendance was highly satisfactory ; there must have been about 2200 people on the ground, and anyone who said that the people of the district were not happy, contented and fairly prosperous, would find his answer in the splendidly dressed gathering that assembled yesterday. For such a well dressed, comfortable assemblage betokens a frugality and prosperity that cannot be gainsaid. Though there wos no band on the ground, a fact that was more than once remarked on, there were several variety shows that discoursed music both grave and gay as an inducement to spend a nimble sixpence in a visit to their show. And there were hosts of other places at which the

public could amuse and instruct themselves, from Edison's phonograph where, so the public were informed, for the small sum of sixpence they could hear an interview with the notorious Butler at San Francisco, and for which the Frisco papers paid him 2000d015., to a blind man turning the organ for any sum the benevolent minded were disposed to put into his box. And when these had all left and the show was near at an end a Salvation Army Band of more than average merit regaled the gathering with lively airs for which they were accorded a round of applause by those near by. The bootb this year was in charge of Mr and Mrs C. Shand, and they deserve a special word of praise for the excellent luncheon they provided. People who could speak with authority said that they had seen nothing like it at any of the shows they had been at. Both Mr and Mrs Shand and family went to no end of trouble, and not only have they reason to feel proud of the display they made, but the society may also feel proud that that part of the programme was so excellently filled for them. Messrs Mitchell, Finn, Rose Pascoe and others had refreshment stalls on the ground, and all were seemingly well patronised. Coming to the exhibits, there was a very noticeable falling off in the sheep pens, the total number of entries mounting up to barely half what they usually are. There was also a substantial shortage in cattle Several well known exhibitors in these classes were this year conspicuous by their absence. In horses on the other hand there was in most cases excellent competition, and in more than one class it was a considerable time before the judges were able to arrive a decision. In faot tbe exhibition of draught stock all round was first class. We append the entries for the past five yoars : — ■

We have not space to go into details but "the pr'ze list speaks for itself. The President and Vice-Presidents of the society as well as the Stewards worked indefatigably throughout the day, and Mr T. M'Donald, the secretary was as usual a most efficient and obliging officer. Nothing uas wanting in the completeness of the arrangments for the day. v

1893 1804 1805 1800 1807 Cattle .. 49 82 7G 73 49Horses .. 153 150 192 105 1(55 Sheep .. 105 9S 71 106 67 Dogs .. 3 11 7 C 7 Swine . . 0 3 1 2 3 Poultry ..8 7 9 26 21 Dairy Produce . . 89 110 98 114 100 Totals . . 407 . 461 454 492 412"