MARTON SHOW.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2693, 12 February 1916, Page 8

MARTON SHOW.

SUCCESSFUL ENTERPRISE CREAT SHOW OF HORSES,

By Telegraph—(Special Correspondent.) MartOn, February 11. The 3larton A. and P. Association were favoured with fine weather, and a satisfactory attendance for their fourth anual show, wliichw as held on the. local racecourse this afternoon in aid of the Patriotic Funds. There was a substantial deficiency in aggregate entries, but some classes wero aijovo ■ The average at shows of this grade. Tlrisw as particularly so in the case of the horse division, which was particularly strong, .and an encouragement to those who favour the horse show exclusively. Tliei horses of ( the Rangitikei are noted for their quality, and there , were' some very fine types in the show ringfc o-day. 11l the thoroughbred division 3lr. J. Bull, Hunterville, was represented, in every class, and in the uia're with foal at foot, and colt and filly classes he carried off both first and second honours, whilst he also scored success in the exhibit of a mare best calculated to improve . the breed of hacks... The pony and hack classes were also a strong feature of the show. Mr. H. Hassal's (Hastings) Sticky Free followed up his recent Feilding success by. annexing the hack championship, and Miss 31. G. Cox's (Crofton). Sultan took three awards. For the,best paced hack and tho . best troop I horse the honours were carried off by Mr. Coleman's (Hunterville) Victor. The draught classes wero a. fair, lot. the first'awards being: Filly (3 pairs), Mr. G1 Friedricks; mare with foal at foot, Mr. Isaac. Jefferson; mare four years and upwards, Mr. E. C. Gaisford; gelding, Marton; Borough Council; threehorse team, Mr. E. C. Gaisford; twohorse team,'. Mr. E. C. Gaisford; filly, 0. Bergen; best walking horse, Mr. E. C. Gaisford.' • Rangitikei, being principally devoted to ■ cropping, is not noted for tho numerical. strength of its cattle. There was not a very large entry in that part of the ' show. However, there were some nico Jerseys, shown. In the purebred grade sections Dr. F. J. Watson's (Bulls) The Owl'b. Victor secured championship in male class; 3lr. H. J. Lancaster's (Glen Oroua) Miss Fox 111. In the cow's championship, Mr. J. M'Farlaud, of Aorangi, was tho only exhibitor of Ayrsliires, and secured all awards. Mr. A. G. Simpson (Hunter- : .ville)j and Mr. W. J. Birch- were respectively responsible for the exhibition of Shorthorns and Devons, and both breeders Were complimented by the judgesf/or the quality of their stock. Four entries came forward in the dairy cow class: Cow, any breed, in milk, for those* not supplying factories—tho first awards went to Mr. F. J, Meyers (Marton) Queenie. In th«. crossbred dairy cattlo division, open - to Jersey, Ayrshire, or Holsteins, Mr. H. J. Lancaster took first prize for cow in milk and 1 also firsts in the four heifer classes. Some very fine fat cattle were penned by Jlr. A. G. Simpson, Hunterville, and Mr. W. J. Birph, Marton, the former gaining most awards. Sheep_ exhibits were very good so far as quality was concerned, particularly in the representation of Lincolns, Romiiey,. and Southdown flocks that came forward. The Romncy ram championship went to 3lr. W. E. Wcigbtman, and ewo to Mr. J. B. Gaisford. In tho Boi-der Leicester and Devons, Mr. H. F. Arkwright and Mr. W. J;' Birch were respectively ths exhibitors Fat sheep wero well represented, though in some ca6es entries were considered overweight. Messrs. J. M'Kelvie, J. Lourie, and Johnston and Hutcbins were the most successful' exhibitors. The fat lambs export classes wera not very well filled up, the chief honours being divided between Mr. H. J. Cameron, 3lr: H. F. Arkwright, anad 3lr. J. 31'Kelvie.

In the farmers' classes, flock sheep, Mr. W. E. Weightmau secured three' firsts and: three seconds, 3lr. H. J. Cameron three first and three seconds, and Messrs. F. J. 3leyer and L. Pleasants one first each. The show was opened by Mr. E. Newman, M.P., who read a letter from the Prime Minister regretting that owing to tho pressure of public business and' engagements already entered into it would be impossible for him to have tho pleasure of visiting 3larton for tho show. He wished the show every success. In regard to the 3larton district as a farming centre and a suitable place for a show, 3lr. Newman expressed the opinion that there was no part of the Dominion moro suitably placed. He believed that New Zealand was highly favoured in respect to climate, soil, and. l productivity, and the Rangitikei was the most highly favoured in New Zealand. If anyone doubted this assertion, let him take a visit to the South lelar.d, i Haiwke's Bay, or the Wairarapa, and observe the conidtions in these parte at the present time; and he would he glad to return and stay here for the rest of liis life. The recent rains to r.orao extent lad damaged the crops, and tho yields of wheat would be less than had been expected, hut tho turnip and rape crops would benefit by the rain, and this would compensate for the loss tf the grain: With regard to the chow; Mr. Newman said that the war had aifccxed it,to a small extent. Tho number of entries were fewer, and many tf their fellow farmers had gone to the front, but nevertheless the show was a great success. ' This was' particularly shown in tlie well filled hack saddlo and harness horse classes, and i ntlie ring, competition. All the-noted) winners of recent 'shows were present. Among the cattle the outstanding feature was the splendid exhibit of Jerseys, ''"his was true also of tho Bomney and Lincoln sheep.-