NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 231, 23 June 1908, Page 4

NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW.

'AN INDUSTRY'S PARLIAMENT.

OPENING TO-DAY.

THE PAST REV2EWED.

N ' (from otjr sraci,

Seven year's are not a large part of a lifetime^ yet so'much has been.Accomplished by the National Dairy Show thafotho last seven years have seemed, from their pregnancy, ■ to'■ contain- more ...than tho ordinary portion of the'twentieths century. The Sixth National Dairy Show—or Manawatu .'Winter Show —opens to-day as a brawny youth—seven years old, but of full stature; an infant, but a giant; the foremost among winter shows; a rangitira; The National Dairy Show is a weighbridge of the opinions of tlie Now Zealand dairying world; a platform from which specialists make-their most vital announcements, from which Ministers reveal policies'and conceive hew departures. It is a gathering place, moreovcr ; of weather-worn farming men, and equally' weather-worn women, who rub shoulders in matters ofcommon concern, unbu-den their minds—of new and old ideas for blamo or censuro—and, with a pull all together, tigh 7 ten up loose screws in' thevcommercial and productive -.'great'. industry. The.'National DairySJiow is tho pivot of one 'of.'the. ]bigge!s .whcels I 'dn..the activities of a State. : -'StfVTßuch:f6r;:the'' , grcatness'that 'strife., A Leviathan Infant. ' Let- us''attend" tiiio birth of this 'leviathan • infjrfit. It'was first brought into the dazzle of a busy world in July of 1901, when, for four.days, it was visited and gazed upon _by, wise, men from afar, and by clever dairy women ■ and • devout painstaking factory managers:". But . the conception tor,, this great event had begun many years before. As early as 1897 the indefatigable Mr. Piraiii (now proprietor of the'-"Fending Star") pro:' posed to tho A. and P. Association that'it should bojd a winter show. , Was it premature? . ; - : - ■ Judging from what has happened since, it could not have' been. Biit' it was obviously a little ahead of the ken of tho bull? of thoso who formed the. committee of; those days. They dijl not see the ripeness of the proposal that-was put forward to them, and gome of them, it is ; said, laughed. But those were the old times—only • eleven year 3 aeo, 'biit still. old—when a .show was a fair. When a show without sunshine and du3t and straw hats and sunshades and gay dresses would haTe been regarded as an intolerable erperienco—a' mockery: A show ii the depth of winter-was, not then ideii- ■ cifiod as a practicable proposition. Those/ however, were not days of the' twentieth century, but days when old traditions clung tight for very *ge asko. But sinco ■ tb«n r we have passed the'milestone of a hundred years. To-day we are progressive, str'enur: ous,. practical, mercantile, j., W,o count selves. leaders'among natidns;"^"

frh# First Attempt. So, when,' in 1901, the National Dairy 'Association proposed to hold a conference in Paimerston North, no fears of prematurity hindered tho holding of a dairy shotf. Benches were prepared by members of ; the National Dairy Association in-the; Old" n Theatre—now Hopwood's Hardware Store— ; i oiid the show was/held. ..'Unfortunately, the critics of the ydarl9ol did not consider ths ghow a financial succoss; and even those , who, promoted and nursed the little stranger through' its,' first' arrival. disliked their; progeny when the bustlo of its birth' was piwsed, and they could sit down and Purvey • it leisurely; .It had cost thom money: So— Ignrativoly speaking—they almost . abandoned their young offspring; they endeavoured to push it along to the A. and P. Association. -The novelty -of-'giving, birth had passed away, and . they realised that their particular temperament, and destiny n<ero best served by an'untrammelled lifo of child!esslcss. But this first event- had, at kast, broken, the ice, and from tho dis-' )anco, < r as one , looks back upon ■. the 1901 creation now, it assumes an. importance of the greatest dimensions. It. revealed bo Manawatu the hidden " possibilities , of a Winter Show. A.' and P, Association Takes Control. But,;there, were difficulties. . .The,, appeal to the Manawatu A.,and P.-Association,to take over the running of the show, was unsuccessful, and the: winter of ■ 1902 camo and- passed away without, any . show being held. 'Perhaps this was'llo'misfortune.' It »avo a taste of the emptiness of a season <hat-had no-winter show, and it afforded time for, the-plans that .were, afoot to mature ' and hardon. . The winter' of 1903 arrived with'a good outlook. The A. and P. Association, asumed entire control.of the winter show, and koen interest was received from everybody. The'show of that i winter'was ; a triumph. Babyhood and' spoon-feeding and the crawling . stage were past. It' could walk. -Thenceforward, it grew toward full etature with rapid progress.

NATIONAL DAIRY-ASSOCIATION. J What is the National Dairy Association .that has been. »o clonoly -identified;with the 'rise and 'progress of. tho. wilier show? It is the dairyman's Parliament..;. It oamo into _«istenco. about fifteen years- ago',; somewhat in this way; Tho dairy farmers and those associated with the factories felt that there wero many qiiostions of vital concern to tho industry that^:could bo best dealt with by a central authority.' Individually .they wore \ weak, but in combination - they would 'bo powerful. The National. Dairy Association was thereforo .formed.- At first it embraced the'whole of .New Zealand, but it was at' that time only , a voluntary association of dairy factories, an association •. without: the backbone of ; legal pbwer, a collection-of-unitsheld together by the threads of common -interest.' It soon became apparent that ■ in order to do really useful work the association . must become incorporated under tho Companies Act of 18S2. Consequently, a memorandum and articles of were drafted; and on December 23, 1897, the association was incorporated as a limited liability company. Tho South Island Secocics. The triumph, however, was .'not a bloodless one. There were secessions. The whole of the South Island fell away .from the Northern bodies, and tho incorporated as-. ' sociation - became ■ a'union of Northern-in-terests only. The Southerners;.chose to retain tho" old-, slenderer voluntary form of . unity, and exist as tho South Island National Dairy Association. The North _Island - body, ■ however, has doubtless justified its greater power over sinco tho memorablo rift, and its annualconferences hare become more valuable and far-reaching every year. It undertakes all kinds of commusions for dairy factories, 'imports their , machiner.T'. and other appliarranges shipping contracts and supervises r their execution, pays freights, keopa Mi-agent watching interests, in London, Hid generally fills a role all. the way from legal ancl financial adviser down -to general factotum for the dairy factories. It i& an indispensablo machine in our dairy industry... ' Tho Conferences. In tha early years it wa3 customary to hold; the oonferenc&s in Tarnnaki, chiefly at Hawera. It was not till July 23, 1901,-' that tho honour came to 'Prilmerston North, and it waa then that • the Association held its firßt winter show. ; There were far-seeing minds in the Association .who.-realised that there was a great future in store for 'a

lAI/ COMIESrONDENTS.)

THE GREAT PALMERSTON EVENT.

VICTORS OF THE PAST,

North Island dairy show, and that Palmerston North wasthe natural centre for it. But tho first show was a new thing, and, like many first ventures, it lacked tho aid of some who perhaps, human liko, wanted to seo tho show, succecd beforo they_ could bccomo enthusiastic. Tho National Dairy Association lost money over the first attempt. The Manawatu A. and P. Association of thoso days would not take the show over, and run it in>the following winter, and comsequently the next conference was held elsewlierje—at .Stratford. This was tho eighth conference, and it was tho last held away from Palmerston. In the course of tho ensuing year tho members of the Manawatu A; and" P. Association thought better of the winter show, and resolved to hold one in 1003. They - obtainod from the~ National Dairy Association, however, a pledge that for a stipulated number of years the conferences should bo hold at Palmerston during winter show week. Those years havo now expired,, but the. conferences still remain lyell rooted to Palmerston. This stipulation .'is only one of many instances of tlie natural 'sqrewdndss .of, Manawatu men; They had the vision to see that tho National Dairy Association ...was the aide around which the ihdbstry'revolved; and that oven if tho conferences would not bo quite the deciding factor' botween success and failure for the winter show they would at least enhance itsi success.l ' ' Thou again although the dairy show is national, the people concerned in. its management chiiiiot forget that they aro Manawatu men, and''thev':are—unconsciously, perhaps —loyal £o. their to\vn. Tho National Dairy Association to make the dairy show; together the'show,and the conferences doubtless were a factor in the scouring of tho dairy school, which other centres coveted so much. And all these ..things in combination have holped, ,and will., help, to make Palmerston. •Tho little, beginnings of the National Dairy -..Association* have blossomed into great results. ... THE NATIOKAE. DAIRY SHOW. TOY "NATIONAL" SHOW? This question will occur to . many minds. Is it only" a "playful phrase, uttered idly by Bome dev.otod. admirer, but open to .challenge and deposition at any moment? Or is it ■copyright, for all timo upon the history, of.'th'e Manawatu Winter Show : by.;spino". 6(sromonial enactment or public declaration?'.?!; ''f\ ■' i ■ . '

Right of Conquest. . title"'appears, to rest chiofly. ; .upon right' of conquest.. It was, capturod. . -It -is; tho title by which the show is .now! known,.'hot only by common consent -among ~t hos'e'"ivho speak of the ■ event in -casual talk,. but;jilso 011 the official papers .of ~tho :A':"nh;d T.' Association. The title is ,only;..pf 'reoehtacquisition; and wa's adopted as an outcome of proposals formally debated at tho'Association .meetings. . But it is not ' only "conquest that entitles tho show to call itself/ national.- yjThero is 110 question of it being a case of ; "might without right." :Ther6"'is np. other-show in New Zealand that could wiifli* 'equal 1 riglit call , itself national. •ThorManawaiu"'Winter 'Show, as a dairy show,'towers head and shoulders 'above all . other ..'winter, shows of Ndw Zealand 'or of "Australia"."'lt; is' tho finosij,"dairy\show in tho Southonv-Heriiispherc, and could with every .right....call itself., tho '.'Australasian Dairy Show," or tho "Imperial Dairy Show of tho Dominions of ,thd South" —if that would do it any good. 'But tho men of Manawatu aro modest in their aims, and wo have heard no desire expressed to absorb any bigger spaco in this part of tho world than the Dominion of Npw ; Zealand.-.', It is.,sufficient that .it is, by conquest, liy''right of merit, by formal resolution . and ■ by' common consent, the National Dairy Show. In ago, but not in stature, it is minor to- tho Dnuodin Winter Show.

Tha Mailing.ef .n Homo. In 1903 the hall in which tho . show was displayed measured 100 feet long; in 190-1 it was 150 feet, and there was a refreshment room added;;'in 1905 the length was 250 feet; in 1906 it was 350 feet-; and in. 1907 about 430 "feet. The floor space was then 40,000 square feet. In the course of the alterations onti . famous , old building—a " produce shed—has' been" shifted no fewer than four .times. It was partly to accommodate tho dairy show and its accompanying conferences that the present secretary's office, committeeroom, and .lecture hall were built-in 1905. They cost £1150. But it was a wise investment,' making for convenience to the dairy people. It enabled tho National Dairy Association ;; to-'transfer its conferences—hitherto held in -paribus meeting-places in the town— to tho ShowV Ground, whore, tho speakers could discuss their groat problems under the stirring influence .of the exhibits. Tho Dairy School, It was a day of great satisfaction to Palmerston: North when tho' Show Ground was adopted by tho Government as tho homo of -the -proposed Dairy School. This dairy school will bs the first of its kind in tho Southorn Hemisphere—not a startling matter when ono romembors that Now Zoaland is the foremost butter Stato on this side of the line, but still matter for pardonable pride. It is to' be a''dairyman's university—a place whoro youths and men may loam how to tho.., produce of the dairy cow in the production of the various finished articles of the factory, how, to improve and modify in a-hundred ways' those products/, and how to make New Zealand butter and cheese become eventually tho pinnacle of the London .butter market Scientists will be evolved from that school. Whether Sir. Singleton will, give it .a hall-mark by accepting tho first directorship,- or leave that task for another, wo may bo sure that., on tho lines on which • the institution is planned, it will do good things. , Thepail which liolds the milk of the dairy* ton'-/-the cream tester, the churn, and the vat, whero her products are transformed, all contain many mysteries which other countries havo not ontirely elucidated. New Zealand as a hive of research has hitherto,been.content to be. in tho - pack; henceforward sho will occupy a more ambitious ■ placo and'cet-goals. She will teach where, until now, sho. has only learned. And thero is a lot to be learned and taught, as_ the most ; learned are tho niost willing to' admit. , The beginnings of tho Dairy School will bo tho' chief featuro of the show of 1903. . .Visitors,will inquire, where it is to bo. They, will .bo .shown the sito pegged out, close to the main entrance, and will bo able to think over, in imagination, the puzzling problems that will bo wrestled with thcro by their sonsj'aud other students when tho building is,up. ; - It will bo ono of tho features of interest in this winter's gathering. AVhy did Palmorston get it? There arc . many . townships, asking that question. The 'question of : tho-site has been a burning ono fori'sevoral years'past, and even in the Ministerial" days' of "the Hon. T. Y. Duncan it was prominent. Tho final conflicts betweori tho various eligible centres, however, are still too greoii iii"tlie" memory -to need -reference hcro.'.".'^';:

This'phra'do"dan justly bo applied to tho list of champion cheese nnd butter-makerp of -New. Zoaland, as distinguished by tho awards* at-the.National Dairy Show.. The following lists'show tho winaors and their

runners-up in the chief classes in the various years, together with the points scored:—' Year 1803. | Factory butter for export:— ' , Bangiwahia, £12 ... 93} Canterbury, £9 93 Kakaramea, £6 ... 92} Ballance, £3 92 J Choddar-shaped coloured cheese, for export:— J. Sherman, Palmerston N 91} Logarth Dairy Co OOj Cheddar-slmped whito cheoso:— Ngaire, £10 ... ... ... ... 93} J. Sherman, £5 ... • ... 92 Best factory cheese: — Logarth Dairy Co., £3 91 J. Sherman, £2... 90} Medium-sized cheoso :— J. Sherman, £2 ... 91} Gorman Bay, £1 ... ; 89 j Stilton cheese:— J. Sherman , ... 88J Year 190«. Buttor: Tho following divided the first prize of £50: — Moa 94 Mangorei .'. 93} Midhurst ... 92} Makotawa ; ... . ... 92} Wober Waione , ... ... 92} Kakaramoa ' ... 92} Ballance ..9 ... ... 92} Thames Valley ... 92 ' Taratahi ... ... 92 Omata ... ... ....,- ... 92 Dairy Union 92 Mangatoki 92 , Cardiff 92 Mells ... ' ... '.. 92 Awahuri ... ..: ... 92 Cheddar-slmped coloured factory cheese for export:— AVaitohi, £10' ... ... 92} Barry's Bay, £5 91} Cheddar-shaped white' cheese 7— Belvedere,. £10 .... ... ■ ... ... 92} : Gorman Bay, £5 ... 92} Factory cheese —matured, any colour: — Ngairo, £3 ;. ... 93} Waitohi, £2 92}. Rongokokako, £1 ... „. ... 92 Medium-sizod factory ; cheese:— Daleneld, £2 ... !.. ... ... 93 Belvedere, £1 ... .;. ... . ... 92

Loaf cheese': — Ngaire, £2 - ... - ... 92 Blake, Waverley, 10s. ... - . .... ... 90: Year 1905. Butter, for export. The following divided first prize of £50: — Mangorei (gold medal) ... 93J Buchanan and Co ... 93 ; Hawera ... ~. 93 ICakaramoa '93 N.Z. Dairy Union 93 Stratford ... .;. 93 . ' Makuri : 93. Cheltenham; ■ ... ... 93 Factory coloured choddar cheese, for oxport : — : Taratahi, £10 • ... ... ... ... '92 ; Logarth, £5 91 Factory whito cheddar cheese:— \ Taratahi, £10 .' 93J Waikouaiti, £5 92J year 1996. Export butter: Tho following divided £50:— Rangitikei (gold medal) ... 95 ■ Whenuakura ... ... 9i '. Mauricovillo ... 93i Molls.. ...' 93} Pihama ! ... 93} Stratford 931 Makotawa , "... ... ... 93 Mangorei 93 •- Moa Farmers, ... ... ... 93 " Farmers' Uiiion ... ... ... ... 93 : Norsowood ■ ' 93 . iPatea ... ... ...• 93 " Rowa ' ' ... ... ..; ~.. ... 93 : Taihapo ... 93 . Wobor Waione ... • ... 93 T. J. Gillies ... 93 Factory buttory from bulk, for export:— : Moa Farmors (gold medal and"' New ■ Zealand Shipping Co.'s 25-guinca ■ Challonge Oup) ■ ... ■ ■ "94 'Rangitikei, £7 10s 93} J. Gillies, £5 93 i Twenty-six competitors. Factory cheeso,' choddar-shaped Taratahi Dairy Company (New Zea-' j land Shipping Co.'s 2-5-guinea Cup, and £10, with "Dairyman's" prize to maker) ...- 94 : Waikouaiti, 931 lliverdale, £5 , ... . ... 93 .Thirteen competitors. White oheose' • Waikouaiti, £10 ... ... ... 94} Taratahi, £5 93J Thirteen, competitors. Cheese, any colour:— v ; : Dalefield, £3 ... ... '94 Taratahi, £2 93 Belvedere, £1 .92} Thirteen competitors. Mcdiuni-sixed cheeso, any colour:— Dalefield, £2 ... 94 Taratahi, £1 ... ...' „.'93} Loaf cheese:— Taratahi, £1 .... ■ .94 Dalefield, 10s ' 93 Ten competitors.

Year 1907. Export butter: — / Rowa, £6, and Weddol and Co.'s 25guinea Cup ' ... ... ... 94 Warea, £4 93 Bunny Co., Carterton, £3 ... ... 93 Hawko's Bay, £2 93 Glen Oroua -... 93 Makahu ... ... 93 Wells Company ... ... ... 93 ' Rangiwahia 93 Waitara ... ... ' ... 93 Rata ' 93 . Forty-eight competitors. Export butter, Novice Class:— 1 Glen Oroua, £6 94 AVarea, £4 ... ... 93J Makahu, £2' ...i 93 Eighteen competitors. Export butter, from bulk: — ' • Rangitikei (gold medal, £10, and New • Zealand Shipping Co.'s 25-guinoa. trophy) 94 Waitara, £7 10s 93} Midhirst, £5 93 Twenty-four competitors. Factory cheese, cheddar-shaped :t— Waikouaiti (New Zealand Shipping Co.'s 25-guinea Challengo Cup, gold modal, . £10, and "Dairyman's" prize) ... 94 Edendalo, £5 .., ... 93} S. Canterbury _ ... 93 Twelve competitors. Factory cheese: — • ■ Taratahi, £3 ... ... 931 Edendalo, £2 ... , ' ... [)2J Belvedere, £1 ... 02 i Dalefiold 1 ... ..; ...,, • ... ... 92 Eleven competitors. Medium-sized cheese Taratahi, £2 ... • '-93$ Belvedere, £1 ... ' ...\ 92} Imperial Dried' Milk Co > 91'} Loaf cheese:— ■ •• Edendale, £1 i 93} Taratahi, 10s. ..-. ■ 93 Nino .ontrios. White, cheddar-shaped cheese:— Taratahi (New Zoaland Shipping Co.'s Cup and £10) 94 Waikouaiti, £5 93} ' Dalefiold 93 Thirteen competitors. ' ' . Royal Horticultural Society's Medals. , Apples: 1906, F. SI. Mayo; 1907, J. Choosing. Vegetables: 1906, Slock Bros.; 1907, not awarded, % Luxford Shield. Messrs. Slack Bros,, Palmorston North.

THE PRESIDENTIAL ROLL In tho past 23.years tlio Manaivatu A. and P. Association has had soveuteon presidents, and of tlmt lrambor it is pleasant to record that all hut 0110 are now living. Tho oxception is our lato respcctcd friend, Mr, A. M'Hardy. Mr. M'Hardy died whilst serving his third term, and Mr. "\V. T. Wood, ono of the vice-presidents, was elected for tho remaindor of tho term. Wo append tho list:— 1886—Sir Jas. Prendorgast. 18S7 to 1392—Mr. J. G. Wilson. 1893 —Mr. G. C. Wheeler. 1894 —Mr. ,T. It. Foster Pratt. 1895—Mr. F. Wallis. 18!)G—Mr. F. Pirani. 1897 and 1898—Mr. A. M'Hardy.. 1899—Mr. W. T. Wood. 1900 —Mr. J. 0. Batclielar. 1902—Mr. 11. Gillies. 1003 —Mr. C. Bunk. 1904 —Air. S. M. Luxford. 1905—Mr. M. Cohen. 1906—Mr. P. A. M'Hardy. 1907—Mr. W. F. Jacob. 1908 —Mr.- F. Arbon.

. THIS WEEK'S SHOW.

JUDCING BECUN. A SCOOP FOR CHELTENHAM. HOW THE GRADERS JUDGE THE CHEESE. . (BY TELEGRAPH —FRO3T OUIt SFECIAL REPORTERS.) Palmei'ston North, June 22. This year's show will bo famous in history for the great triumph of Mr. John Murray, the young manager of tho Cheltenham dairy factory. Thcro woro only two challenge cups and ono championship for butter, and Mr; Murray got them all. At least ho was awarded tho cups, and as tho championship depends on the results of tho cup classes, plus the season's grading marks, it appears at the time of writing that tho championship, frhich will bo announced later this evening, 7rill go to this gentleman. It is a tremendous victory. , Thoro aro ' only four butter classes for factories, and tho keen efforts of all the competing managers throughout tho Dominion havo been focussed therein. There were forty exhibits' for tho Weddel Challenge Cup of twenty-five guineas, and twentytwo exhibits for the Shaw-Savill Cup of equal value. Mr. Murray's victory was absolutely decisive. There was no splitting of points. Half points separated many other competitors from one another, but Mr. Murray was a whole point above them_ all in both classes. His victory is • emphasised by his roeont winning of two first prizes at tho Dunedin show. Ho is, therefore, without question tlio finest butter maker in New Zealand, and Cheltenham butter should sell at a premium. . '

Is it luck or merit that decides .'thcso victories? Tho fact that the winner at Dunedin was tho winner at Manawatu disposes of tho question of luck, for that would involve too impossiblo a series of coincidences. Thoro must obviously be some virtues in Cheltenham butter that tako the fancy of tho gradors. Moreover, tho results are a splendid testimony to.the uniformity of the Nevr: Zetland grading system, a point that trill, please tho graders and appeal with big force to tho men in tho dairy industry. It can almost bo said that the grading system itsslf has been put on trial in thcso contests, and has como out with brilliant houours. For if Mr. Murray's top at Dunedin had sunk to tho bottom at Pslmcriton somo might. liavo said that the graders evidently didn't know Rood butter from bad, or at least. varied in their judgments, which would bo equally bad, but the actual result has shown not only that tho Now Zealand graders know the sort of butter thoy like best, but that they all liko tho same sort. The Murray victories will Win for them tho confidenco of the 1 industry." They have .vindicated'themselves. ' 1 ; THE METHOD OF JUDGING. Tho modo of, judging loaves no room for jugglery, even if tho graders wore capable of it, which nobody for a moment, of course, supposes. ;. Tho precautions against any possible insinuation of this kind aro olaboriito. Tho judges adopt all.Borts of dodges to protect themselves from ono another, and oven from thomselvos. . Tho method is interesting. Tho sciontific parts aro native to the usual practico of Government graders, but tho little tricks and dodges are exotic. The judges were Mr.. Singleton and ten of his graders. They, divided themselves into two teams, and the members team first grade all tho exhibits in the" class, and award them points in accordance with commercial practico. Then the members of oa'ch team comparo notes, and arrive jointly at a definite placing of tho exhibits'. Finally the two teams comparo their respective results, and tbo.runnors-up aro put through a most 'exacting procedure. It is now that - tho aforesaid dodges are introduced. Each grador in Bucccssion is made to turn his back while samples of tho final bunch of butters aro handed to him from : behind, or ho is blindfolded, or ordered into another room, whero, ignorant of tho sources of the buttor pellets that are handed to him, ho smells.them and rolls them round his - tongue, and dictates his verdict.- Tho sum of tho verdict decides the issue. This is judging in tho dark with a vengeaneo. No eyes and no ears liavo any part in this work." Just a kcon noso and a healthy palate. THE, WINNER.

Out of this ordeal Mr. Murray, of Cheltenham, has como- an unchallenged winner. Mr. -Murray is said to have picked up a good ninny wrinkles in his assistant days at tho Dalefield factory, seven or eight years ago. Later, he became manager of Awahuri, and about four years ago he got tno managership at Cheltenham. He is said to bo something of a Jack-of-all-tradcs, but ho is certainly a master of some. He is said to bo a bit of an engineer from stoker Upwards, and he has apparently organising skill. Ho celebrated his arrival at Cheltenham by organising his directors to make a number of'improvements in tho machinery and appliances, and his factory is now ono of tho up-to-date factories of Now Zealand. Ho also organised a little wedding in which ho was one of'tho two chief actorSj and tho directors and shareholders and suppliers on that occasion gath-' ered around him, and held a social at which they gave him a handsome roll-top desk and a couple of easy chairs for himself and Mrs. Murray. He was, therefore, obviously popular with his own people. He is also a good 'sport, and is a-member of the local Sports Club. He has lmd a good share of difficulties to encounter. His four creameries at Colyton, Kimbolton, Hiwinui, and Nikau are all a considerable distance from the factory v In some wet seasons the depth of water in the Oroua River prevents the cream carts from Colyton, Hiwinui, and Nikau from using tho ford near Nikau, and they havo_ to travel by a circuitous route thirty miles long. There is to bo another creamery opened on tho road shortly. It is stated that pasteurisation is not practised at Cheltenham. ; THE .GRADERS. . The graders who judged the butter ond cheese for tho Palmerston Show are Messrs. Singloton (Acting-Dairy- Commissioner), Shirley, and Pulton (Auckland), Dowden,. aiid Gwilliam (Wellington), Ross (Patea), Anson (New Plymouth), Bowman (Christ-' church), Grant, and Jamos Sawers (Invercargill), Thompson (Palmerston North). - The graders who did similar duty at Dunedin recently wo give for tho purpose of comparison, namely:—Messrs. Singleton, Bowman, Grant, and Sawers. Mr.. James Sawers is called by some of. his fond admirers tho best cheoso authority in tho Southern Homisphero. He is certainly a cheese enthusiast, and to watch him grado cheeso is a study, and the procedure is worth doscribing as illustrating the cheeso grading-' method. First, there is tho samplo plug to: be\ cut out of the cheese. A fragment of this Mr. Sawers presses between thumb and fingers, bruising it into n soft pellet, nud heating it by tho warmth of his fingers. This manipulation and tho warmth it imparts causes the'cheeso to rcleaso its natural odour. Then it is applied to tho noso. Mr. Sawers is a thorough connoisseur, and ho does tho smolling with zeal and relish. He brings the .cheese quickly to the nostrils with a Rnatiiro resembling the manner in Whioh a connoisseur of other thlnga tosses whisky to.

his lips. Tho operation is several times repentod, arid seems to bo discontinued with the greatest reluctance. Tho smelling is obviously, tho crucial test. Tho tasting is but a finishing touch. Then tho fingers are wiped hard on, tho pants of the grader's white uniform, and an applo is munched. The object of tho applo is alleged to be to prevent tho good or bad flavour of the last elicese from being carried over to the next sample, but as the chccse and butter exhibits arc staged in the hall alongside all tho lovely apples from tho Government farms and elsewhore, there is scarcely any need for this excuse. Snare apples aro plentiful in this hall, for thcro is not table spaco to stage theiii all. THE FIELD ROOT SECTION. • Tho Hold root section, although not showing a great improvement in quality, certainly has improved in quantity, and tho individual entries have increased. A number of tho. roots aro rather rough in appcarance, but this, defcct is attributed to tho season. Tho mangold classes are the strongest. There will bo keen competition for the Luxford 30-guinea shield for the test vegetable collection.

THE PRIZE-WINNERS.

RESULTS OF YESTERDAY'S JUDCING. Tho judges to-day finished tho factory cheeses, but considerable calculation remains to be dono before the championships can bo announced, and it is possible these may not bo declared to-night. One of the factors in deciding the championships is tho averago grado mark obtained by tho competing 'factories throughout tho past season, andtheso involve a lot of arithmetic. There is quito a large staff of graders this evening sitting in a side room of the Empire Hotel in their shirt sleeves, adding up totals and strikinsi averages. Tho results of their labours* Trill determine the choose and butter champions. The following aro tho decisions available:— BUTTER CLASSES. ! Factory Butter. ONE BOX BUTTER, for' Export. Weddel and Co.'s. 25-guinea Challenge Cup, and gold medal to maker. Cup' Winner and Medallist: 3 S 1 J . ° •J? Os -2 "rt « 5 oa is. h B D K fi B Cheltenham (J. Murray) 451 24 10 10 5 94J Share Ist prize of £50: Bunnythorpe 441 24 10 10 5 931 Hawke's Bay (Dannevirlco) 45 231 10 10 5 931 Taihape 44} 24 10 10 5 931 Okitu ... 441 23} 10 10 5 93 Molls 44} 23} 10 10 5 93 Other Exhibitors: Ballanco (Pahiatua) 43} 24 .-10 <10 5 92} Bell Block ... ... 43} 23} 10 10 5 92 Midhirst 43}. 23} .10 10 5 92 Okato-Puniho ... 431 23} 10 10 5 92 Thames V. ... ... 43} 23} 10 10 5 92 Ballance (Ballance) ... 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Cambridge 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Dairy Union (Eketahuna) ... ■ 43 23} 10 10 5 9H Kairanga 43 23}, 10 10 5 91} Rivwdale ...• ... 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Rata 43 23} ,10 10 5 91} Rangitikei 43 23} 10 '10 5 91} Warea ... 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Whenuakura 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Waitara ... ... 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Dairy Union (Palmerston North) ... 42} 23} 10 10 5 91 Golden Bay 42 24 10 .10 5 91 Hillsborough 43 23 10 10 5 91. Mangorei 42} 23} 10 10 5 '91 . U. I. Factory ... 42} 23} 10 10 5 91 . Glen Oroua 42 23} 10 10 .5 90} Pihama ... 42 23} 10 10 5 90} Stratford 42 23} 10 10 5 90} Levin 42 23} 10 10 5 90} Hawke's Bay (Mangatainoka) 42 23 10 10 5- 90 Omata 42 23 10 10 5 90 Alpha ... • ... 41 23} 10 10 5 89} Rowa ; ... 41 23} 10 10 5 89} Huinkama 41 23 10 10 5 89 Nnhaka ... : ' 41 23 10 10 5 ,89, Canterbury ... ... 40 23} 10 10 5 88} Mauriceviile .... ■ '... 40 23} 10 10 5 88} Oakura ... ... 40 23} 10 10 5 88}

NOVICES, one box forexport. 1. Kairanga (.£6) ... 45.V 2-1 10 10 5 94} 2. Oakura (£4) ... 45 2-1 10 10 5 91 3. Taihapo (,fi2) ... 44} 24 10 10 5 93} Dairy Union (Eketahuiia) 431 2-1 10 10 5 92} Golden Bay ... 4-1 235 10. IP 5 92) Hillsborough ... 4-1 23i 10 10. 5 92} Okato-Puniho ... 4-1 23} lft 10 5 92} Fihaina 44 23!- 10 10 5 92} U.I. Factory . ... 4-1 234 10 10 S 921 Okitu 43} 231 10 10 S'92 Alpha 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Huiakama ... ... 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Levin ' ... ... ... 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Oraata 43 27} 10 10 5 91} Dairy Union (Palmer- ' Gton North) .... 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Mnuricavillo ... 42 24 10 10 5 91 Rivcrdnle 42} 23} 10 10 5 91 Hawke's Bay (Mangatainoka) ... 42 23}. 10 10 5 90S ONE BOX PROM BULK, stored since ' April. Shaw, Savili; and Albion Company's 25. guinea Challenge Cup, and gold medal to maker. Cup Winner and Medallist and £10. Cheltenham (J. Hur- ■ ray) 45 24 10, 10 5 94 Other Competitors. 2. Ballance (Pahiatua) ■ (£7 10s.) ... ' ... 41} "23} 10 10 5 93 3. Rangitikei (£S) ... 41 23} 10 10 5 92} Awahuri ... ... 43} 23} 10 10 5 92 Bell Block 43} 23} 10 10 5 92 Kairanga ... ... 431 23} 10 10 5 92 'Levin - 43} 23K10 10 5 92 Mangorei 43} 23}' 10 10 5 92 . Oakura 43} 23} 10 5 92 \Vaitara ... 43} 23} 10 10 5 92 Bunnythorpo 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Ballance (Ballance)... 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Hillsborough ...• ... 4-3 23} 10 10 5 91} Okato-Puniho ... 43 23} 10 -10 5 91} Rewa ... ' 43 23} 10 10 5 91} Stratford ... ■ ... 43 23} l(k 10 5 91} Whenuakura 43 23} 1(F 10 5 91} Huiakama 42} 23} 10 10 5 91 Midhirst' ' ... ... 42} 23} 10 10 5 91 Piharaa -. ... ... 42} 23} .10 10 5 91 Tarata ...' ... 42 23} 10 10 5 90} ! Warea : 42} 23 10 10 5 90} . CHEESE CLASSES. Factory Cheese. PULL CREAM CHEDDAR, shaped, coloured for export. First. U © § | S4- j d M 3 '3 -S . ■ . -So ®o .9 o Ph H Oh H Awatuna (Callaghan) (£7 10s.) ; ... - ...' ... 46} 29 15 i 91}

Second. ~ ' Edendale (John Sawers) (.£7 10s.) ... ... ... 46} 2SJ 14J 5 94J Other Competitors. Omimi (Mr.; Linton) ... 46 29 15 4 9i . Nathan and Co. ... 46 281 15 4 93J Cardiff ... ... ... 45 281 15 4 921 Riverlea • ■ 44 29 15 4 92 Rongokokako 454 28 141 4 92 G rev town 441 28 15 4 911 •AVaihi 431 28 15 4 901 • H.wera. ... 43 18 15 4 90 Knpuni . 43 271 15 4 S9J Foatherston 431 271 14§ 4 S9J Dalcficld 431 271 14} 4 189} FACTORY CHEESE, full cream cheddar, shaped; white for export. Gold Medallist and New Zealand Shipping Shipping Co.'s 25-guinea- Challenge Cup'. Edondalo- (John'.Savers) (JC10) ... 47 291 15 5 96J Second. Awatuna (Callaghan) (JCS) ... ... ... 46 .29 15 4 94 Other Competitors. Greytown ■ ... 46 281 15 i 931 ■ Kapuni 45 29 15 4 93 Omimi ... ... ... 44$ 2SJ 15 4 92 Nathan and Co 44 29 15 4 92 Fcatherston ... ... it "19 ldj 4 91J Levin (Linton) ... ' ... 431 281 15 4 91 Cardiff ' 43 2S.J 15 4 90* Rongokokako 431 28 15 4 901 Rivorloa 43. .281 15 4 904 Dofianco 431 271 15 4 90 Tariki 43 28 15 4 90 Nowwond ... 42} 271 15 4 80 . Daloiiold 43J 27 14J i SO

FACTORY CHEESE, fully matured. First. Dalefiold (M. T. West) (oC3) 46J 28J 15 5 95 Second. Edendale (John Sawers) (£2) ... „ 45 2SJ 15 5 Oil Third. , Aliiaruhe (Hansen) (£1)... 45J 2S} 15 5 94 Other Competitors: Featherston 45 2Si 15 5 335 Cardiff ... 441 2S| 15 5 03 Waihi m 28i 15 5 02 Kon&okokako 431" 28 15 5 914 Kapuni 42J 28 15 5 90J Norsewood : ... 43 28 15 5 91 Tawhiti 42 28 15 5 90 MEDIUM-SIZED FACTORY CHEESE. First. . Dalcfield (31. T. West) ' (£2) 4GI 2Si 15 5 95 Second. Edendale (Jolin Sawers) (.£1) ' ... 46 2Si 15 5 91$ Other Competitors: Ahiaruho 45 2SJ 15 5 331 Cardiff 44 2Si 15 5 92J Rongokokako 44 28 15 5 92 Norsowood 43 28 '15 5 91 Kapuni 43 28 15 5 91 Featherston 42} 2SJ 15 5 91 LOAF CHEESE. First. Edendale (John Sawers) (.£1) 47 291 15 5 9GJ Second. Dalefield (M. T. West) (10s.) ; ... 465 2SJ 15 5 95 Other Competitors: ( Ahiaruhe ... ... ... 45 ;28J 15 5 93J Doiiance ;.. 41} 28| 15 5 93 Cardiff ... 44 29 15 4} 92J nongokokako ■ 41 28 15 5 92 Kapuni .... .... ... 43 28 15 5,91. . Noiseivood ... ... ... 43 28 15 5 91

THE JUDGE'S COMMENTS. INTERESTING REMARKS. . Mr. Singleton reports on the exhibits as follows: — CHEESE. Appearance.—The appearance of the cheese this y6ar leaves a good deal to be desired. There are only a few lots, in the first two classes which contain the stored cheese that have received full points for finish. Evidently the room in which 'the cheese was stored has not afforded sufficient air circulation to -prevent mold from growing on- the cheese. Although this is the case, still it would appear that since a few of the exhibits which wero stored in the same room are comparatively clean, the others could, with proper care and attention, evidence a much more attractive appearance. Quality.—The flavour of a number of the highest scoring exhibits was very satisfactory, but the competition for the prizes was not so close as is sometimes the case. In both coloured and white some of the exhibits are well made, but a number , of them lack that silkiness of body and good-texture which is evidenced by the best made Cheddar, and a few entries were rather weak in tho body: They contained too much moisture, and as a consequence .were rather stronger in flavour than is desirable. It would appoar that soino of the managers

had insufficiently cooked portions of th( curds, and had tried to rectify the discrop ancy by adding an extra pcreentago of salt BUTTER. ; The quality of the butter this par is ox. ccedingly creditable to the factories exhibiting, and), in the opinion of the judges, is fully up to the standard Df quality of last year's exhibits, if, indeed,,' there is not ail evidence of improvement. ; The judging was dono in Wellington last Thursday and Friday by tho dairy stall', and the quality of some of the better buttras was so similai that considerable difficulty was. experienced in placing tho prizes. Seine of tho butteri had not kept as well as others, but the judges were especially pleased with thfl quality of butter in the novico class. Thf majority of the samples o.v tho export bull butter had withstood the storage well, and compared very favourably., with the butters specially made. Since.the first prize in but ter from bulk which was not specially niad< goes to the same factory as tho first priz< in factory butter for risport, it indicates that good work is done by tho prize-wiunei in everyday work. ' This fact is certainly ol moro importance than tho honour of gaining the first prizo in the specially made class. THE JUDGINC PROGRAMME. Tho following aro the judging programm' and judges L Tuesday. Farmers' Butter—Mr. Shirley,' Government Grader, Auckland. 1 , Fruit 'and Horticulture-Mr. A. Allisoa. Farm Roots —Mr. George Ronnie. ■ Natural History—Profussor Kirk. Home Industries—Mr. I<\ M'Parland. Bottled Fruits—Mr. Jacques. Bacon—Mr. J. A. Nasi.. ■ School Division—Combined Judges of othci sections.

Wedr.esSay. Fat Sheen—Mr. M. F. Baird. Hunters.and Ponies —Mr. R. Aldworth. Poultry—Messrs. J. H. Shaw and R. Si, Hawk. . v . ' Hogan Test—Mr. J. B. Merrett.