HAWKE'S BAY SHOW.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 20, 18 October 1907, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY SHOW.

; ■' ADDITIONAL PRIZE-WINNERS. ■ •[FBOM: OUB OWN CORRESPONDENTS.] Hastings, October 17. ~ The : . weather to-day was perfect for the Hawke's Bay Show,' and the:whole proceedings were thoroughly, satisfactory. Estimates of tho attendance' vary, but»it must liavo been somewhero near, twelvo v thousand; so that- last year's record is riot to be surpassed. The side-shows are in. great force,' filling tho vacancies of the absent,, machinery. Mr. Ritchie, Secretary f6r Agriculture, and Mr. Clifton, Chief Stock Inspector, are here, to-day. Fat Sheep. There was/.(some curiosity among sheep farmers as to < how Hawke's ■ Bay fat sheep would ' compare' with those *of -Wairarapa. Asked his opinion on the subject, the judge (Mr; S! Cundy, of -Featherston) 'said that had Wairarapa stock been' shown this season at Hastings- they would pfobably linvc been beaten, owing to the fact that tho season had been worse in Wairarapa than 'Hawke's Iky. " The fat sheep were ail exceptionally fiho'lot,:the best class being tho long-wools.' which were much superior to those unshorn. Lambs were also very good considering • the lateness of the season. Farmers' stock, long-' wools, ftnd fats compared favourably with other freezers, considering, that the exhibitors wore small men. ■ In making, an; approximate comparison between Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa sheep, Mr. Cundy expressed the. opinion that the fact' of the' Wairarapa, show being nearly, a month later than in previous years .wbuld result ..'in valley stock'being free from tho effects "of tho season's, adversities., Mr. 0. Nelson, with thirty five points, \vori the special prize in the fat' sheep classes. Mr., Douglas M'Lcan was second with twenty-nine points. ' Ronineys. Judging the Romney sheep was one of the most exhaustive trials in the show ground's history. There wore in all 183 sheep to be examined, divided into''.ten classes', and comprising exhibits from several of the bestknown breeders in New Zealand." Amongst the most notable' exhibits was Mr. Aitliur Harding's' '100 guinea 'ram, bred by Messrs.' Gray Bros., of Wairarapa, which ' was awarded first' and champion at Carterton last year, and second at Christclmrch to that of Mr. E. Short. There: were also shown two of Mr. Ceo. Wheeler's champion rams, one of whichj the champion at tho last Manawatu show, cost the owner 100 guineas.. The. classes wore largo, and of even quality. The judge, Mr. A. Matthews, of Featherston, well-known as one of the best Roinney Marsh critics, not only in Australasia, but probably in the world,'was keenly'sensitive to making l a most' thorough analysis of; the various points of the animals; Ho stepped into the yards at' ten o'clock, in the morning, and, except for a short, interval for lunch, , was there all day till six o'clock in- the evening. Tho work was manifestly too much for even a man physically stronger than ~ Mr. Matthews. It is admitted that amoro systematic judging of Romneys has never been seen before in the Dominion. .Mr.-Matthews in tho sheep pelts was one of the spectacular features of the show, and his "actions wore I under the keen scrutiny of crowds of visitors the whole afternoon. ( The Lincolns. Tho Hawko's Bay Association has made a poijit of importing several South Island judges.. This is most desirable, but, has its limits. For instance, there is a difference in Lincoln wool grown in the two islands, that of the South being finer , than that of the North Island. North Island Lincolns grow, wool of large fibre, not coarser, but necessarily heavier and stronger than that grown anywhero else: in New Zealand. The judge, 'Mr. C. Witholl, of Canterbury, generally based .his awards . on, sheep possessing the finer quality, of wool, and many North Island breeders consider that more attention might have been bestowed upon what they considered to bo thd stronger class of . sheep. They argue that if one bases his judgment on Lincolns-with a fine quality of wool, that will undoubtedly spell,deterioration in breed and hone. It is weight of wool which is required moro than anything else. oxhibit. tho wholo class was woll up to Hawko s Bay standard; in fact, some of the Wairarapa breeders , stated .that it- was a shade bettor than \yhat they anticipated. The Hon. J. D. Ormond won both championships, but his aged ram was nearly beaten by Mr. W. Perry's four-tooth. Til ojudge said that the ultimate decision was simply a toss up. Those interested are looking forward to a most interesting contest between Messrs. Ormond, Perry, and Tanner at Palmerston North. : English Leicosters. In his comniont on tho, English Leicesters, the judgo, Mr. T. Little, of North Otago, remarked that it was a pleasure to go through tho wholo entry. Everything was good, including the competition. Mr. W. v Perry's first prizo ram noggotj Mr. Little

characterised as a better sheep in his class than that shown at- Christchurch last year. Mr. Pony's' aged ram, which was awarded champion, has never yet been beaten. Cattle. 1 In grade shorthorn dairy cows in milk Mr« J. Mall sccured first and third. In crossbreds Mr. J. E. Evans was awarded first prize, but was disqualified because he did not comply with the conditions of entry. Mr. J. "Wall was then awarded first and second. If was noticeable that all dairy cow cross-bred ft had much Holsteiu strain in them.' Dairy'ing is by no means a pronounced industry in Hawke's Bay, but small farmers thero have s great liking for Holstcins cross. They corro>borate opinions at tho present' time being ex.pressed by many Taranaki dairy farmers that the Holstein cross will produce, the best for' butter and cheese producing, and for generaldairy use tho Holstein-Jersey is said to provide the best results, but many farmers are favouring tho.Holstcin-Ayrshire cross, which produces an,animal of first-class physique. Horses. : The draughts were described by the judge, Mr. Grant, of Invorcargill, as good a lot as he had seen in.any district. -~ The first prizewinners were Messrs. Hugh Campbell, J. D. Mitchell,'-A. H. Russell, I l '. A. Bremer, J.'D. Ormond (2), Douglas M'Lean (2), J. ,W. Harding, ,E. J. Watt (2), and J. Wall. lii thoroughbreds,'tlio'first prizes' were - Won by. Mr. G. F. Moore (yearling colt), and Mr. f. H. Wowry's lloya .Fusilier. ' The class was small. The first prize-winners, in carriagehorsos, in which there were numerous entries of excellent character';' were' Messrs. James Semple, J. Wall, ! W. Kinross Whito. 'W. J.and A. F. Douglas, H. J.-' -Simpson, Douglas M'Lean, Thomas Carswell, J. R. Lanauza, Maxwell Edgar,, George Wall, Miss Dorothy M'Niven, Messrs. G. L. Stead, and H. Jcffers. The prizes for saddle-horses .were' taken by, ( Mr.:\A. Mason; lightweight hack,up to ll' stone, Mr: J. D. Mitchcll; 13-stone Imcka and 13-stone maiden-hacks, Mr Oswald Nelson ; -three or four-year-old: hack, Mr. E. J." Wilde's Viceroy; 'lady's hack,! shown in' side saddle, .Miss J.', M., Chambers's Tui!' v In the pony division, the fir'st prizes were,' won by. Mr. Douglas M'Lean (3), Mr. J. Wall, Miss Dorothy M'Niven, Mr. Howard, Mr. Glazebrook, Miss E.'M.. Douglas, !\lr. M. Tickner,. and Mr. Oswald Nelson. In the boys', riding exhibitions, the first prizes ' wero won by . Campbell M'Niven, Ethel M'Niven, and Marjorie M'Niven. . ~ Chal|enge Cups. . a Mrs. J. H. M'Niven's Juggler; ( well-knowi} on show grounds-for some Jrcars,appropriated.. Mr. G. P. Donnelly's silyer, challenge cup,; valued at 20 guineas. Last year. Miy : M'Niven won the.trophy witli Huntsman, and in the previous ybar Juggler won- the prize for Mr. G. L. Sunderland. It will'be seen that Mr;; - and Mrs. M'Nivon have a strong mortgage on the cup, which has to. be won twico, not necessarily in succession. Juggler was also awarded tho first prize, for best hack on the ground. i ' . ~, • . i Point Prizes. , The■ following is' l a complete list of'th# .points 'prize-winners:—Cattle,■!, other ; than dairy, Mount Herbert' estate; Lincoln' sheep,; Hon. J. D: Ormond; Border Leicester; Messrs. Nelson Bros.; Ronuiey Marsh;; Mr. Ernest:Short; Shropshire ■ Downs, Mr. 1 Richard * It.' Pitt; South Downs, .Messrs. Nelson: Bros:-; cross- bred' sheep', (Mr. Douglas M'Lean; fat sheep, Mr., Douglas M'Lean; fat sheepi''Mr.. 1 0. Nelson; farmers' stock-: sheep; Mr.'W.Brid^emah; T pigs, Mr. E. White; poultry, Mr.; J. H.. Stewart; Native industries,•; Mrs! Taranaki; ■ To, Ua. - \ : ;1 . Native Industries. -. For some years Native industries have been a prominent feature of' the Hawko's Bay show, and this year was. .no'-exception, although there was an indication of, ;wcakness iii sonic exhibits, which were-of a hybrid nature, hardly'involving tho term native'industries. THis was especially ; so'm sonio of the garments.;,', Tho. threatened 'extinction of the kiwi' was exemplified in tho'fact that feathers from European birds had'been used in order to finish the tasteful, dressing of mats, muffs,:', and- boas. Carving .of .rccent origin showed that tho Hawke r s Bay natives possess.. in : a largo : tho_ skill of their 'ancestors. In His repoi't .tho Judge, Mr. rl. Hill, said the exhibits were generally of a high order of-merit: :'Attention' was drawn to; the ' desirableness: of using; • natiyo . material in, tho:production'..of- native, articles. . Ilealnative art would be encouraged if the carving of Wakai, 'Huia,.Telio Teko, and: Whelm were encouraged by means of prizes. .The. specimens as a whole wero very creditablo to native workers. ■ Some specimens,- not for .exhibition, showed a now form of .useful mat: made of worsted." It was shapely, and very attractive, a pair of knitted! stockings and a: 'tea-cosy!.were sent/in by;;-two.'.;girlsj. .and showed-good'training. The . judge suggested.thst children's classes, loth, for natives and Europeans; should'be established,: so.as: to encourage various : forms of industry.." '-J 1 ' Competitions. - A : ; "r. -U; .; - Sheep-shearing was a straight-out; go • fof speed (three sheep), and resulted;— Henry. Hawkins ! (Hawke's Bay), 4mm. 48seof,---l-f : Sam Hawkins (Hawke's Bay); 4niiu. 235e0., . 2; Duffy (Masterton), 4mm: 35sec.y-3; i-ftine-" temi competitors. ' ■' n Leaping match: for pomes:—Miss "braceTwist's Tim; 1; Miss Marjorie. .Macmven s Bun Tuck; '2;' J. -W; Mackay s'Blackbird, ;3., Seventeen competitors. ' v r , r ' : ' '' ■ -Driving competition: 'for. men:—George: Wall, 1; Tuteira Tiakitai, 2. Ten : cornLeaping'match:—J. H. Maoniven 4 Pick» pocket, 1; Mrs. Sunderland's The Smner, 2; D Noake's Mignon, 3. Thirty competitors. '. Miscellaneous. , < • Fitly half the people at tho.show arrived by train. It is reported' that the'number constitutes a record by train;' being 500 than-last year. . ; The wholo arrangements in connection with . the function were well , carried out by-Mr. Charles Douglas (secretary), supported by an army of active stewards and comniittoemen. . The show of .pigs' was of, poor quality. "It appears that hog-breediiig is a ncglectiid industry in.Haw'ke's Bay. . ... Mr. John Jai;vis, judge, stated ;that until farmers made a point of using less skim milk and whoy and more, nutritious food, the pig business would never have a chancem New Zealand. . . , Thore was nothing exceptional m the number of entries in grain seeds, but what there was, said Mr. G. C. Sunimerell, was good quality. The rye-grass was tho. best on tll With 'reference to tlio sale of a' Romriey 3farsh ram'by a Kuitish breeder to-Mr. 1). Murray, of Cliristchurch, for 150 guineas, an incorrect report lias beeircirculated that to* nricfi is a sheep record. The tact is^ that 150 guineas has been' paid twice-by. Soutlr Island breoders for English Shropshires.: Mr,W P«.rry, the woll-kiiown Masterton sheep'breeder, has sold two four-tooth Lincoln rams'to Mr. C. Blackie, of Gisborne, at a price' ranging on 100 guineas. The two'animals were awarded first prize at. the show yesterday, being exhibits by the Hon. J. D. Ormond and Mr. Tanner. Mr. Blackie is a recent arrival in Gisborne from the South Island.' He is just commencing to breed Lincoln flocks.