AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIV, Issue 1090, 8 December 1857, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

We regret that it was impossible for us, in our last number, to notice the Auckland Agricultural Show, at least at such length as' the subject demands, on account of its having taken place on the eve of publication, and of the arrival of so much interesting and important news from India. All of those with whom we have conversed respecting the quality of the stock sent in for exhibition, have exprebsed their satisfaction with ik For the most part, it appears to have surpassed expectation. W e consider that the improvement shewn in the breeding of stock is a marked element of advance, which may be said to more that counterbalance the stagnation which prevails for the time being among the mercantile portion of the community. And this improvement becomes of greater impotanee in each successive year, on account of the rapid change whioh is taking place in the face of what what may be loosely termed the European portion of the Auckland Province. So long as the couutry was open, with runs more than sufficient to meet the requirements of stockholders, with plenty of feed, it mattered little how much a certain number of head of cattle would consume, before being sent to market. It was wot worth the trouble of calculating. Coarse-bred stock would "pull down the scale" as -well as the betterbred ; and although they might have eaten double the quantity of food, it would have cost nothing, being derived from the bounty of unassisted nature. ' Now,, however, that the country is becoming rapidly enclosed, and that artificial pastuies are taking place of the bush, it. must be remembered that every blade of grass costs money. The consequent saving to the province, in stock that i? fit for the butcher from one to two years earlier than the coarse and hungry breed of which we sew so many in the earlier days of the colony, becomes apparent. The business of the day was concluded by a dinner, to wbich about 70 persons sat down,- laidout in a tent in the Newmarket paddouk. His Excellency the Governor was present The evening, upon the whole, passed off most socially, and some very good speaking was heard ', the Governors speech in returning thanks for the health of Her Majesty's Representative being decidedly the best, both in matter and delivery. A change has certainly taken place since the days of Solomon, who held the intellectual attainments of agriculturists in small repute. "How," says the preacher, "can he get wiisdom that holdeth the plough, and gloneth in the goad ; that driveth oxen, and is occupied in their labours ; and whose talk is of bullocks." Agriculture, since then, has attained the dignity of a science. Of all the seventy present, not one would have supplied the food for Mr. Punch's merriment which was offered by a "mahogany top" of the old school, called up in class to pass his examination in Liebig and agricultural chemistry. "Let sulphuric acid and lime be combined iv given proportions," stid the questioner, "what will be the result ?" "Sulphate of lime," — was answered without hesitatior .. Question put again, with a variation, "Let sulphuric acid and oats be combined in similar proportions, what will be the result?" "Why, sulphate of louts, in course !" The only approach to a contretemps during the evening was caused by the Superintendent, who, with the bad taste that characterises the Taurekareka Government, insisted upon making a speech about himself, and local politics ; very different in style, we are compelled to observe, from the well-trimmed oration which is set down for him in the columns of his own newspaper. \t an agricultural dinner, where persons of all shades of opinion had met harmoniously together, and at which the expression of party feeling- had been expressly deprecated by the Governor, the Superintendent must needs begin by informing the company that he had been twice elected, and, with the malishs obstinacy that characterizes him, continued in that strain, notwithstanding the' confusion and the reclamations caused thereby. Considering that he does not represent the province, but only the corrupt side of the electoral roll — considering that the great majority of the landed interest is opposed to him — that so influential a body as the Chamber of Commerce refused to invite him in his official capacity to their public dinner, and that at the last annual dinner of the St. Andrews' Society, although the health of the Superintendent and the Provincial Council was given, as a formal toast, no one rose to return thanks — the commonest sense of propriety should have restrained him from obtruding himself so prominently. The Premier also shewed signs of trenching upon forbidden ground, whioh caused similar marks of disapprobation to aribe. But he had tact enough to draw out of it, turning the matter off very readily and neatly. Let us now offer a few observations upon the Show itself. In regard to the Horned Cattle, there was no classification of breeds ; the various breeds and cross breeds competing for the same prizes. This was to be regretted, but there appeared to be no alternative, as pure-bred animals were scarce. The numerous crosses, however, were so good, that the judges must have had some difficulty in deciding, more particularly amongst the Cows* Of these, there were some fourteen exhibited ; and after the awarding of the prizes to four, five others "were, highly commended.

There were only two imported Bulls, both young : Mr. TurnbuU's is a good beast, but la scarcely old enough to show to advantage ; we ho^e to see him again in another year. Mr. Buchanans Bull-calf was. not in condition : it is not possible as yet to say what his form is likely to be. The Provincial-bred Bulls were of .divers character, and showed marks of different breeds ; the Prize Bull, in particular, at first sieht was anything but prepossessing ; but on closer examination he was found well up in the best points. It has been a matter of enquiry how it was that to Mr. TurnbuU's 20-months-old Bull was awarded the first prize, but that Mr. Gardner's Bull, entered in the same class, received no prize at all; while Mr. Gardner's Bull, competing against all the Bulls on the giound, carried off the Farmers' Cup of 20 Guineas. Upon enquiry, we find that the latter "was entered with those of 20 -months, but that the judges considering him as older, would'not judge him in that class. Had it not been for the extra prize— the Farmers' Cup— the best Bull on the ground would have been sent away without a : prize. There were some good Heifers, but a greater display might have been expected. There is no scarcity of such stock, but from some unexplained cause they were not shown. A fair number of sheep were exhibited. As they were divided into five classes, the duties of the judges were more easily fulfilled than with the Horses and Cattle. In class 1 there was but little competition. This class and class 2 appeared, to approximate An character. Mr. Biickland's. jiam, classed with the Leicester's, ought evidently to have been in this class ; it was the best-long-wooi hog, but his form was not of the 'Leicester. - Class 2.— There was considerable competition in this claw some very handsome sheep were exhibited, particularly Messrs. Maclean's imported Ram, and two of their ewe 3. Messrs. Turnbull and Farmer's three Rams were beautiful in form but defective in fleece. Mr. Cooper's two hog Rams are deserving the attention of ' breeders ; they appear to be a well-managed "cross between the Leicester and Long- wool, rel taining much of the form of the former with the •.wool of the latter. Their fleeces were not equal •Jto those of the «heep exhibited by Mr. Buckland in this class, but they were of better form. - Class 3. — There was but little competition among the Southdown. If Mr. R Graham's and two of Mr, West's be exeepted, it was Messrs. Maclean competing against Messrs. [Maclean ; but the animals were remarkably fine, and the owners deserved much credit for the number of fine sheep brought forward with such care and attention. But the acknowledged excellence of the Southdown mutton scarcely compensates for the shortness of the wool. Mr. R. Graham's Ram was old, and in low condition, .but the staple was longer than in any of the sheep exhibited by the Messrs. Maclean. Class 4. — Messrs. Turnbull and Fanner's finewool Ewes and Hoggets were tolerably good. It was observed, however, that the fine-wool show Svas the worst, and that there were much better sheep in the Province not exhibited. Class 5. — The Sheep contained in this class are probably the best suited to the Province. "The competition in this class lay between Messrs. R. Graham, Turnbull and Farmer, Nixon, and Haultain. The judges appeared to give it in favour of a plenty of wool and mutton, but preferring a cross breed. Some of Messrs. Turnbull and Farmers's shewed too much of the fine- • wool and scarcely enough carcase, while some of the other sheep went to the other extreme. In this class there is room for much improvement. Messrs. J. and C. Wilson's two imported Cotswould rams, did not arrive until after the judges ' had awarded the prizes, but they are two extraordinary sheep for their age (being Hoggets), both for large carcases and long wool. The owners have certainly conferred a great benefit on . the Province by importing them. Such sheep, by crossing with the Leicester will improve the fleece considerably. There were but few pigs shown, but they were good, both as regards the large breed and the small. In regard to Horses, the prizes have beeu awarded to those of moderate size (with few exceptions), combining compactness with strength and activity; one of the exceptions is said to be the draught mare. The horse show was large j some remarkably fine ones were exhibited, well suited to their several purposes. The two-year old fillies were very superior. Mr Stafford said, at dinner, that they were so nearly matched that he was afraid that, if he were to judge them again in a month hence, he might make a different award of the prizes We are informed that some of the unsuccessful are dissatisfied ; but this is generally the case, as all desire to win and all cannot. Upon the whole we have to congratulate the Province upon the marked improvement in stock that ia caking place. We subjoin a list of the prizes.

HORSES. Class I.— lst prize for thoroughbred, imported. . . Mr. R. Graham Ist prize, 3 year old ditto colt, bred in the Province.. Mr. Jas. Williamson l»t prize, I year old thoroughbred colt, bred in the Province. . Mr. Howard ltt prize, thoroughbred mare, imported.. Mr. Hargrove* 2nd prize, thoroughbred mare, imported.. Mr. Howard < - 3rd prize, -thoroughbred mare, imported.. Mr. Crummer Ist prize) 2 year old thoroughbred filly. . Mr. Hargreaves 1 prize, 1 year old thoroughbred filly. -Mr. Hargr&ves 2nd prize, 1 year old thoroughbred filly.. Capt. Wynward (All these prizes, except the first, were awarded subject to pedigree being proved) Mr. Hansard's thoroughbred entire, imported—commended Clam 2.— lit prize, draught entire, imported ..Mr. Williamson 2nd prize, ditto ditto ditto . . Mr. . Newell Ist prize, ditto ditto, bred in the - ■ Province.. Mr. Barribal 2nd prize, ditto ditto ditto.. Mr. Taylor Ist prize, draught mare, ditto. . Mr. Howard 2nd prize ditto ditto.. Mr. Mullins '' 3rd prize ditto ditto.. Mr. Newell 4th prize ditto ditto.. Mr. Simkin t .Ist prize, 3 year old draught filly. .Mr. Bray 2nd prize, 3 ditto ditto ditto.. Mr. Mears Ist prize 2 year old draught filly.. Messrs. Williams brothers 2nd prize, 2 ditto ditto ditto.. Messrs. ' McLean 3rd prize, 2 ditto ditto ditto.. Messrs. McLean 4th prize, 2 ditto ditto ditto.. Mr. . Yejcoe

HORNED CATTLE, 'lit prise, short-horn bull, imported. .Meun. Turnbull uid Farmer . lkt " bull, bred in the Province.. Mr. Styack 2nd " ditto ditto.. Mr. Wheeler 3rd " ditto ditto . Mr. J. Wallace ltt " bulls, 20 months old.. Messrs. Turnbull and Farmer Txe Farmers' Cup awarded to Mr. Gardner for his bull Ist prize, for fat oxen. . Mr. Walters 2nd prize not awarded ist prize, cow. . Mr. Howard ' 2nd " ditto. .Mr. W. Buckland '3rd " ditto.. Messrs. Turnbull and Farmer 4th " ditto.. Mr. Wheeler Extra prize ditto.. Mr. J. May

Mr. Wheeler's cow, m extra stock, highly commended. Also, 2 strawberry cows of Mr. Cheeseman'i, »nd a yellow cow ot Mr. Williamson 1 !, highly commended lit prize, 3 yen old cow . . Mr. Williamson < 2nd " 3 ditto. Memi. Turnbull and Farmer | Ist " 2 year old heifer.. Mr. Williamson | 2nd " 2 diito..Mr. Williamson ' 3rd prize not awarded , Ist prize, yearling heifer.. Messra. Turnbull and. Farmer 2nd prize, ditto ditto. Mr. Robertson 3rd prize not awarded The entries i i the three classes of Young Stock were in many instances incorrect with regard to their age, and consequently were passwl over by the Judges. ,

SHEEP. Class I.— lst prize, long- wool ram, No. 2.. Mr. R. Graham Ist prize ditto diito No. 6.. Mr. R. Graham 2nd prize ditto ditto No. 5.. Mr. It. Graham Class 2.— lst prize, Leicester ram, imported, No. 16. . Messrs. McLean. No. 9 the Judges considered inferior Ist and 2nd prize. Leicester rams', broa in the Province, No. 19.. Messrs. Nixon and Hault&in Ist and 2nd prize, ditto hogget, ditto, No. 8 . . Mr. Cooper Ist irize, ditto ewes, ditto, No. 18 .Messrs. McLean Ist prize, ditto hogget, ditto, No. 12.. Mr. K. Graham 2nd prize, ditto diito, ditto, No. 11.. Mr. R. Graham Class 3.— lst pnze, Southdown ram, imported, No. 23 ..Messrs. McLean 2nd prize, ditto ditto ditto, No. 22 . . Mr. R. Graham Ist and 2nd prize ditto, bred in the Province, No. 24.. Messrs. McLean For the ram hog, No. 29, » prize was awarded, but the Judges did not consider ] it a valuable animal. There were no competitors with Mr. West. Ist prize, ewes, No. 27 .Messrs. McLean 2nd prize, do. No. 25..Measis McLean Pen 26, 2 hoggets and 1 ewe, was recommended to the consideration of the Committee. Obass 4.— lst prize, fine- wool ram, No 33. .Mr.Martin Ist and 2nd prize, ram-hogs, No. 32. . Messrs. Turnbull and Farmer lit prize, ewe-hoggets, No. 31 .Messrs. Turnbull and Farmer 2nd prize, ditto, No. 36 .Mr. R. Graham Ist prize, ewes, No. 30.. Messrs. Turnbull and Farmer 2nd prize, ewes, No. 35. .Mr. R. Graham Class s.— [Sheep best suited to tht Province.]— let prize, ewe-hoggets, No 45 .Major Nixon 2nd prize, ewe-hoggets, Ko 40 .Mr. R. Graham lat prize, ewes, No. 44. Messrs. Nizon and Hauluin 2nd prize, do. No. 41.. Messrs. Turnbull and Farmer [Messrs. Wilson brothers, of Howick, sent some of the finest sheep shown ; but they arrived too late to be classed and judged.]

PIGS. l6t prize, large breed boar, No. 1 .Mr Bobertson 2nd prize, do. do. No. 4.. Mr. Grigg Ist prize, do. sow, No. 4.. Mr. Fisk 2nd prize, do. do. No 2 . Mr. Robertson Ist prize, small-breed sow, No. 6. . Mr. Walters. 2nd prize do. do. No. B.. Mr. Smart

IMPLEMENTS. Mr. John Wallace— Thrashing and winnowing machine made by Ransoine and Simms.— lst prize ♦Messrs. Tizard and Brothers— Thrashing machine and corn crusher. — 2nd prize Mr. H. Hayr— One-horse thrashing machine and superior drill— a prize Messrs J. and G. Wilson— Reaping machine and chaff cutter— a prize ♦Messrs. Wallace and Son -Plough— lst prize Messrs. Cruikshanks and Smart— Plough -2nd prize ♦Mr. Grace— Horse shoes, very superior— a prize ♦Mr. Bruce— Churns, highly commended— a prize Besides which were inspected (♦) a Curd-cutter and Cheese-press, made by Messrs, Wallace and Son, of Otahuhu ; An American mowing machine, a cooking stove, and a washing machine, exhibited by Mr. George S. Graham ; And although not an agricultural implement, Mr. David Graham's Quartz-crusher, for sending which the Judges considered Mr. (iraham entitled to the thanks of the Committee. [Those marked ♦ were manufactured in the Province.]

Some short while ago, we were able to armounee that Mr Sewell had succeeded in obtaining the ba\f-raillion guarantee from the Home Government. It did not^follow, however, that even with the advantage of that guarantee, there was any certainty of the money being obtainable on the terms proposed, namely, four per cent, at par. For the current rate of interest, for short periods, was much higher in London at the time. However, Mr. Sewell has again succeeded, having arranged with the Union Bank for the taking up of the entire loan at par, the money to be drawn as required^ with four months' notice, and to be remitted to* the Branch Bank in Auckland, free of charge Scott's Debenture, about £4,000 given for a disputed land claim at Wellington, and bearing 6 per cent: interest, has very properly been charged against tha New Zealand Company, instead of against the colony, A contract has been entered into on behalf of the colony with "The New Zealand and Australian Mail Steam Navigation Company," for 5 yeas, the Compzny engaing to run two mail steamers betwen New Zealand and the adjoining colonies, also two Inter-Provincial Steamers, receiving a subsidy of £20,000 per annum, of which £12,000 is to be defrayed by the Imperial Government, and £8000 by the colony: We have great pleasure in being able tr> state that Measrs. Wortley and Weld, who in the early Sessions were two of the most valuable members of the Assembly, may be shortly expected in the colony. The latter in particular, on account of the implicit confidence reposed in him on every side, was in reality the mainstay of the first responsible ministry There is every prospect, as we are informed, that both will be able to obtain seats, from among the Southern vacancies.