THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW FOR 1874.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXX, Issue 5372, 10 November 1874, Page 2

THE NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY'S SHOW FOR 1874.

For several years this Socioty has held annual shows of stock and farm implements, which have been attended with greater 01 h'ss succeus according to ths dist uii» at which they have been held from the centre of population. To write of the usefulness of such exhibitions when pioperly conducted, would bea workof supererogation, the value of such shows 13 admitted on all hands, even by thobe who h.ue no direct interest in inatteis agricultural. But it is only when such shows are leally representative in character that tho utmost henefi. is to bo derived from them. And &uch they are not in New Zealand. In no piovmce in tho colony has there yet been a 1 eally representative agricultural society's. There have been successful shows, bat never nas there yet been a New Zealand agricultural show held at which the various districts of the colony have beea fairly represented. The society which held its show yesterday bears the name of tho colony, but during tlie whole period of its existence it has never striven to bB the representative society of the colouy. It ka3 never selected judgoa residing ou t of the colony, and rarely h.ive judges been chosen but from districts within a short distance ot the place where the exhibition was to be held. The whole of it3 transactions hitherto have been conceived and shaped in that narrow spirit which provincialism has induced, and which prevents all the other agricultural societies, North and South, assuming a colonial status. The show of yesterday is generally understood to be the last show which will be held under the auspices of the New Zealand Agricultural fcooiety, a resolution having been recently passed at ona of its meetings to cosign the association to the limbo of forgetfulness after the present Bhow. A new society, with a lest pretensious D»me, " The Auckland Stock Exhibition Association," or some such name, is to take its place. But even the new name it too ambitious, though, far less so, than the old one. Many years will, necessarily, elapse before a really representative exhibition of Auckland stock can be held at Ellerslie or any other place within the Province. The past mismanage* ment of the Provincial Government will prevent this being done, by the gross neglect they have hitherto shown to the making of roads in agricultural districts— the most that the new Society can hope to attain, within the next ten or twelve year, is to have fairly representative shows of the stock in the Otahuhu and olosely adjoining districts — a few may come from portions of the Waikato district abutting on the railway, when once that means of communication is rendered available, but vasb districts of this Province, containing it may be some of the finest cattle, sheep and pigs to be found in it, must remain unrepresented at the annual exhibition at Ellerslie, in consequence of the want of roads to bring stock to the show. The certificates of the Society, to the extent of that necessary extension, will be misleading. Tho Royal Agricultural Society of England, and the Royal Highland Agricultural Sooiety of Scotland, are fairly representative bodies of tha agriculture of the countries whioh gave them birth. The same may be said of the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria and the Metropolitan Sooiety of New South VValca. Certificates granted by either of those societies would be of substantial *aluo to tho holder as evidence of a successful representativo exhibitor, because the road system of each of those places is so compltte that owners of good stock, though situated a lon« distauce from the placeof exhibition find it comparatively easy to bringtheir best stock forward, and thus the certificates granted at each exhibition held under tho auspices of those societies, may be taken as fairly tnio evidences that the holder of each, certificate) is the ewner for the time being of the best stock in the colony. Gould such be said by the holder of any certificate ever granted by the New Zealand Agricultural Society? Or, could the holder of a certificate from the Auckland btook Exhibition Association, when it grants certificates— say, wi'h a reasonable pros poet of being tiue, that he in the owner of the boat stock in that particular section m the province of Auckland ? Why, there miflht be stock in the Poverty Biy diitiict, or ou Mr. Stannus Jones' farm at the North Cape, or at many other places in the province, far superior to that which was

siwa I'd tin iiMion at tha LILrsIio Show, but whnh, ouinc; to the want of roads, and thi n.b'cnce ot .ill facilities for conveying qtoM M v. u I: out injury, trom place to place, tiicir o\\i)'i3 pi^doutly declined to bring fornaid. Tisc values of these certificates are truly estimated vithhi the colony, but a very eiroucous idea is likely to be propagated by them outside the colony. To people in Britain or other distant places, the statement sounds well that Mr. So and So obtained the first prize for Lincoln or Leicester sheep, or shorthorn bulls, as tho case may be, at the New Zealand Agricnltusal Society's Show. Outside tho colony such an announcement would be thoroughly misleading — so misleading, indeed, that we wonder the many honorable settlers connected with that Society had not long ago seen fit to repudiate the false position the Society's name placed successful exhibitors in. The truth is, that though the Society's sphere of operations was in one of the best agricultural districts of the province, the Society was just as much a local and district Society a« are the Mahurangi Agricultural Society, the Wangarei Agricultural Society, the Waiuku Agricultural Society, or the Central Waikato Agricultural Society, &c. The new Society to ba formed after tho present show must necessarily fail, from the reason above stated, to fairly represent the stock of tho provirca for many years to come, and its certificate! may in consequence unfairly enhance the value of stock exhibited at shows held under its auspices, and conversely unfairly depreciate the value of certificates grant-d at any of the other district agricultural shows held within the province. Let the new Association designation be expressivo of the scope of the Association's functions, and call it, «ay, The Ellerslie Stock Exhibition Association. This, or some similar designation, would put the proper value upon the certificates it would grant, and would save many heart burnings in other districts. In due time we hope to see a representative Association formed for Auckland, or one to fairly represent the col ony, but neither of these wishes can bo realised for many years to come, in consequence of the difficulty of getting heavy stock brought forward, owing to the bad roada in the majority of districts, and the total absenco of them in others. When a truly representative association can be established, there is no doubt but the representative exhibitions will be as well patronised in New Zealand as i they are in Britain, New South Wales, Victoria, &c, and that certificates of merit from the representative bodies will be proportionately valued by our farmers, and stock owners. In those days the visitor to stock exhibitions will have reasonable ! grounds for believing that he is examiuing tho representative stock of the colony, or province as the case may be. When this is accomplished, there will be broader and moie liberal views of things taken, and that n irrow spirit of jealousy which ha 0 gronji up under provincialism will bo uprootec 1 the qrent benefit cf all. To make the estau^ lishment of such a representative society - possible should be the aim of .ill the agricultural associations in the province, and tho duty of f .he Provincial Government while it lasts. Without good roads this cannot be accomplished. To the making of roads therefore, expensive though they be, the utmost energy of the Government should be devoted.

LAST YE\R AND THIS. This MQtrasb between the two exhibitions is most instructive, and it is still more instructive if the exhibitions of former years be brought under consideration. For many years the New Zealand Agricultural »-ociety held its shows more or less distant from the city of Auckland. Some of these were successful enough so far as quality of stock exhibited was concerned, but many were unsuccessful financially. At last the committee were prevailed upon to hold their annual show in Auckland, in the Albert Barracks, thus bringing the exhibition to the people. The show was such a success a3 had not before been known. Ttio citizens of Auckland thronged the show yard in thousands. Youns; aud old swelled tli3 crowded throng. T .e folljwmg year the success \ras even greater. Tue number of exhibitors was increased to such a degree that the committee of management were thoroughly surprised. The financial result was no less successful, though there seemed to nave been some bungling as to the way in v, hit-h the accounts were kept. L*st year the Albert Barracks were not available for tho purpose of tho show, and it was held at Xevvmtrket, a distanue of some two mil cm from'the city. Tbo success of former years diminished, as will presently be seen. This year the show is held at a greater distance from the city, and see the result : —

The above table shows tho uumbor of entries in the various sections in tho above years. In 1871 the annual show was for tho first time brought within easy distauce of the thousanrls of Auckland. In the following year ttnl greater efforts wore m:\de by the citizjusof Auckland to make it a success, for the exhibits of local industry at once rose from 56 in 1872 to 163. The exhibits of poultry also increased from eight to twenty-live. The number of stock exhibited also showed a. satisfactory increase, thus indicating that ' the country settlers wero anxious to secure the efforts of the towns-people to make the exhibition a success. Indeed the additional trouble of driving cattle a couple of miles more to get them to the place of exhibition in a large cautre of. population is so very little as compared with the certam advantages to be seenred, that we doubt not it would have been more profitable for the Society to have held its yenterday's show nearer the city than it was. The constantly desreasmg number of exhibits as tho place of exhibition is renewed further from the city year by year, should bo instructive to the Committee of Management. On the removal of the place of exln itionf torn Aucklanl to Newmarket, the number of exhibits in the local industry section sank from 1G5 to 13S, and this year the place of exhibition being further removed, the number of such exhibits decreased from 13S last year to G6 in the present. Last year the catalogue contame-1 20 p.-v^es of printed matter, but thia year 13 pages aro sufficient for that purpose. If tho ftosiety or its successor desires auch exhibitions to be financial succosses, and to spreal the knowledgfl which they are calculated to impart at widely as possible, the exhibitions must be brought, as in other placps to tho people, for the people will not incur expense to go a distance to see them. This year the section of dogs is omitted wholly. Thia was looked upon by many aa a mistake, notwithstanding the ract that a dog and poultry show was held a few months ago in Auckland. Dogs have a great attraction te many people, and of the section usually devoted to the canine species had been retained us in former years, there is no doubt it would have been the means of driving not a few additional visitors. The exhibits of poultry were also few, no doubt from tho same cause whioh caused the dog section to be excluded from the catalogue. There was one thing in connection with the present show which caused a (rood deal of anxiety for several daya before the exhibition took place. We allude to the fact that tho paddock in which the sheep were to be penned had been grazed a few weeks ago by sheep affected with scab. When this disagreeable fact became known many intending exhibitors of sheep doubted the propriety of taking their sheep to a paddock whioh was possibly foul, and thus ruu all the risk of having their sheep rendered scabby, and incur the inevitable expense necessary to get rid of that disease. Thonqh the Sbcep Aot provides that the Sheep Inspector shall examine all sheep coming from beyond the piovince, but makes no specific provisions for inspecting sheep brought from one part of tho province to another, tho least consideration ought to have made the Inspector doubly

careful about any sheep i>omini> fiom tho East Coast district, where it is ueli known that tens «f thousands of clnep have been senously afteded with scab for many montb past. However tho shipment in question seems to have escaped his attention, and the sheep wet\ permitted to be driven to Kllors'ie, wheio they fed fur tome time. Tho result was that some of thp sheep whieh were catalogued for exhihifciou were not brought foi»>ard by their owner", as by so doing it might be the means of spreading infection .-v-nongst-, their ilocks, whilo those who wcie exhibitors had to adopt precautionary measures to accomplish the same object. ? 1 is a pity that such a hitch should havo occurred, for othei wise the committee seems to have ina<li> the best arrangements possible under tha circumstances. Too Committee of Management this year were — I'rosident, His Honor the Superintendent; Vice-President, Mr. William Goodfellow ; Tre\aurer, Mr. William Woodward ; Committee, Messrs. Robert Bent, Charles Shiphcrd, J. Cambridge, James Anderson, Robert Robertson, Hon. Every Maclean, Edward Bovey, James Wallace, Frank Lawry, and M. M. Taylor, Secretary. '1 besc gentlemen deserve credit for making the lit >-t of the circumstances in which they were placed. Ow iug to the manner in which the specta-" ters were scattered about the ground it was difficult to conectly estimate the number of ■visitors, but, probably, 3,000 would not be far from the correct number. Special arrangemeuts were made by tho railway department to meet the evpected increase of traffic upon the line, and so f.<r •as eame under our observation Mi. Smith's arrangements weie complete and satisfactory. On several occasions trains of 25 double rairiat'cs, lratU'tl with passengers, were taken along the line by the aid of four locomotives-, two in front and two behind the carriages.

HORSES. Tho «ntriea in tins poition of the sl.ow ' "weie fan ly represented, although it n a £>r^ut pity that exhibitors do not come for/orward in greater numbers, tho wont of competition in many cases, rendeiing the work of the judges light and unsatisfactory. The section moat liberally represented, as indeed it must be expected that it should be, was that of the roadsters, and even beie fthero is not much spirit shown amongst the equosttiau community. In section 1, Thoroughbreds, the first pri/o is taken hy Akt> Ake, a handsome bay, very quiet, and showing not a little motive power in his quarters. Jle has also very fine shoulders, Sir Charles by Potentate takis second honots, and in point of temper is, apparently a utrvous animal, if one might judge from the way he frets on the bit. In tho next section the prize winner is a 2-year old, by D.unty And, ami it is a fact worthy of note that ihis sir« has left hia mark on more than one of the prize winners of yestord«y. There was a \ery handsome marc, Moonbeam, with a foal by Ake Ake, exhibited by Captain Walmsley in section 3, and on tho ioal it may bo will to have an eye in the future. C*[tain Walmslcy also taken a prize with Aerolite, another of Dainty Ariel's strain, her dam being by that horse. To the general public the judging of horses is alwaya an event of interest, and no little of it was displiyed as to how the awards •would fall in the heavy draught classes. The ■winner of last year in his section — 3-year old or under— 13 this year the 6rst on the list for entires, Mr. Bainbridge's Young Nobleman, a very handsome and powerful black horse, with that characteristic "dapple" which adds so much to the appearance. Northern Hero was well up for second honors. In the mares a 5-year old of Mr. Hamilton's was selected, but was afterwards protested .•against hy Mr. T. Brown. On tho grounds of protest being gone into it was decided it could not be sustained. In the fillies of 3 years and under Air. Cleyhorn was successful, but the entries in these sections were not numerous, and it shows a Jack of spirit in the stock-raising community that they do not come forward more numerously. As to roadsters iu harness, Mr. ll«tvcH, of Hobson street, secured an easy 'irst with a very handsome dark grey mare, got by Matchless ; in fact, mare and trap were both neat, and looked well- one of the best there shown. Mr. A. Buckland was second, and the Union Sash and Door Company woe thought good enough to secure honorable mention, lioadsters in saddle mustered 14 strong, but there was nothing j extraordinary among them. Mr. Lennard's Gliding, which only secured honorable mention, being to the fancy of some as good as anything m the same class. It was quite a treat to come across Messrs. Winstone's two pairs of heavy cai t horses. Both these took lirst and second prize, and well deserved their honors. A few more of the same stamp would not be of any disadvantage to the provinae. There was as usual a fair muster of extra stock, and ci these the best seempil to be tho pony Cocky, who secured a first itiizo, as be also did last year, for Mr. W. Cruiukahank. An extra prize was ••iwarrtfd to a pair of geldinga belonging to Mr. W. T. Bas-,ett, which were not included in the catalogue, and for this reason were likely to be overlooked ; fortunately, how. «ver, tlicy were not, as they are a usrful pair. The following are the entiies for tho several tections of tho horses, and the pnzes awardtd : —

THOROUGHBRED CLASS. Judges— Messrs. S. Mornn, G. Selby, and G. J. Austin. S>ctiou 1— Entires — Ake Ake, bred by 11. Redwood, Esq., by Towton, dam Miss Kowe. See Stud Book. Mr. O. McGce Clymenus, by Iiiddleswortb, dam Althcea. (full brother to Dainty Ariel) Mr. W. Adam", l«t prize ; Sir Charles, by Potentate, dam Molly Bawn, Potentate by Sir Hercules, Sir Hercuies, by Capnpie, Molly Bawn, by Pius, dam Old Molly Bawn. See English Stud Book, Mr. S. Drifter, 2nd prize. Section 2— Entires, 3 yeara and under — Two-year old, by Dainty Ariel, dam Fanny Fisher, Mr. W. Walters, 1st prize ; two-year old, by Dainty Ariel, dam Una, Mr. A. Buckland. Section 3 — Makes — Moonbeam, by Pacific, dam Moonshine, foal by Ake Ake, Capt. Walmaley, first prize ; Atalanta, by Dainty Ariel, d.im Moonshine, by Libel, dam Twilight, by Velocipede, foal by Sledmere, Capt. VV.ilmsley, 2nd prizs. Creeping Jenny, by Nutwith, d.im Barbara, by Kiddles worth, flam Jenny Quick, by Immigrant, dam Creeping Jenny, imported, Mr. O. McGee ; i Una, Mr. A. Auckland. Section 5 — Fillies, 2 years and under — Novice by Derby, dam Nun, Mr. It. V9ynyard. Section G— Colt or Filly, yearling — Aerolite by Derby, dam Cynthi», by Dainly Ariel, dam Moonshine, Captain Walmsley. HEAVY DRAUGHT CLASS. Judges — Messrs. J. Snodgrass, E. Constable, and E. Foster. Section 1 —Entires— Young Nobleman, by Prince Artliur, dam by Iron Duke. Mr. .). Bainbridge; HoneBtTom, Wallace Bros.; Northern Hero, Brown and Campbell, 2nd prize. Section 3.— Mares— Five-year old, Mr. J. Hamilton, (protest) 1st prize ; A. and J. Anderson, 2nd pnzo ; Brown and Campbell ; five-year old, Mr. J. Maaaoy ; four-year old, Mr. W. J. Taylor. Section 4.— Fillips — Three years and under. Three-year old, Mr. T. D. Cleghorn ; three-year old, Mr. W. J. Taylor. Shction 6.— Colt or Filly, yearling — Colt, Mr. J. Hamilton, 1st prize ; filly, Brown and Campbell, 2nd prize ; tilly, Mr. C G. Murphy. ROADSTERS, HARNESS, Judfjei, Messrs. S. Morrin, G. Solby, and G. Austin. Mare, four-years, Mr. R. Beeves, 1st prize ; mare, Mr. J. S. Buckland, 2nd prize ; in.no, hi x years, Mr. A. Buckland; bay griding, ei^ht years, Mr. J. J. Craig ; mare, threo years, (hon. mention), Union Sash and Door Company; cocky, Mr. R. Wynyard ; marp, hi* year«, Mr. J. Batcher ; mare, Mr J. Butcher ; gelding, five years, Mr. G. Evans; gelding, five years, Mr. T. Tcasdalo. ROADSTERS, SADDLE. Gelding, Mr. W.Gardner, 1st prize; gelding, Mr. J. Banks, 2nd prize; gelding, Mr. J. Laniard, hon. mention ; mare, 5 years, Adeline,

Mi. Jf. Tf,K>- ( .Jan.; geldum, Mi. !. \. TCra.u jiiHii-, Mi. 11 Koliu ; «eldm<:, Gameboy, Mr. ti. FLiIstead ; sliding, Mr. J S. Duokl.md ; maio, Mr. J. S. Buckland ; g Id1115, Mr. A. Corn well ; gelding, Mr. A. Doimvell ; mare, Mr. F. D. Youge ; mnc, 5yeais, Mr. W. T. Auckland; maie, Mi. J. C. Firth. pvill 01 HOUSES, AGlUCUWUnUi Judges— J. Snodgrass, E. CoosLablo, and E. Foster. Mares, Brown and Campbol!, 1st \m/ n , geldings, W. and G, Wins tone ; mare, Mi. U. Roberts. PAIR OF HORSES (HEW Y CAR I ) Geldings, W. and Q. Winstotic, 1st prize ; geldings, W. and G. Wiustou", 2nd prize ; geldiuga, Mr. A. Barnes. EXTRA STOCK. Bay pony Cocky, Mr. W. Cmickshank, 1st prize ; pony, Mr. W. Gardner, l^t prize ; galloway mare, Mr. F. K Jvmloc 1 ), '2nd prize ; bay pony, Mr. W. J. Martin, 2nd prizo ; pony, Mr. JR. Wynyard, honoroble mention ; entire pony, grey Shetland, mportod, Dr. Wri«ht ; entire pony, 2 years, dam Pretty, bred by Mr. Rutherford, Dr. Wright ; black pony, Mr. G. Hunter ; pony, 6 years, Mr. J. J. Uraig ; black pony mare, Mr. A. Buckland; pair of pomes, Mr. lv. Wynyard, 1st prize ; bay gelding Dragon, Thornton, Smith, and FirtU ; geldinc, 4 years, Anderson and Co. ; colt, Mr. J. MasBey ; pair of geldings, Mr. W. T. Baasett, honorable mention.

Cattle. Judges : Messrs. G. Rust, M. Angove, and G. Broadbent. There could have been but little difficulty iu deciding as to what ammal should bear the palm in the Shoithorn Ball section ; Messrs. Macleau re. ceiving 1st and 2nd honors, and how tl.e prize winner this j ear only managed to be commended amongst inferior cattle (in point of blood) last year is left for the then Judges to determine. Messrs. T. and S. Mourn in the Shorthorn under two years carry away both the 1st and '2nd prizes, and Mr. W. Peinbctton ,vas highly commended fora very pretty calf 13 weeks' old. Messrs. T. and S. Morrin are alno successful with Particle in section .*}, seeming pre-eminence over the pedigree of Lady Eleanor, belonging to Messrs l{ and B. Maclean. In Herefords there ai o but few exhibits. Commencing with No SS, Count Fosco, an eight months' old animal, ib the only representative of his section and did not obtain a pu/e. Against this treatment hus owner Mr. Vorcoo protested to the (Jomrai'tee who were under the painful necessity of informing him that they did not consider the animal of sucli a standaid as to t-utilic him to .\ prize. These little contretemps are to be regretted. Judges are placed in a very arduous position,and indeed a thankless one, and their decision should be regarded as final and without appeal. Sweet Briar, in the next section, is a huudsomo cow, oud to s.iy that she 13 the pioperty of Messrs. It. and E. Maclean, is in am.'abuto to say she is well-bred. For dairy cows there were five entries, and tho first was taken by Mi. G. S. Wallace. How many quarts of inilk were taken from some oE these cows it 19 dangerous to eay, but one animal seemed to possess au inexhaustible supply. Tho roast bt cf of old England was happily illustrated in the winner, (an ox of Messrs Maclean's.) Messrs. Fisher and Co. are second. This firm also shows Bome well fatted cows, and take a prize for them. As extra stock, Mr. Bovey showed a yearling heifer, and Mr. Bainbridge, but when we say that the tot.il number of entries for cattle of all breeds was but 39, it seems z<y jndicato a very lax stata of things. Tho following aro the entries and prizes awarded in this class : — SHORTHORN CLASS. ►Section 1.— Bi m.s— 25th Baion Wetherley, 3 years 9 months (27,1)81), vol. ,\i\. Coates' Herd Book, by 7th Duke of Yoik (17,734), dam Sehna, by 4th Duke of Oxford (11.3S1) it and 13. Maclean, 1st pnze. 9th Colonel Trcunter, by 2nd Duke of Tregunter (2G.022), dam Sibyl, by Union (19,031) Ti. and E. Maclean, 2ud prize. Mr. J. May, Mr J. Paice. Section 2. — BbLLS, 2 years and under — Lincoln, 1 year G months, by Eclipse, dam Constance, bred by J, Williamson, ts({ , T. and S. Mornn, first piize; Theodore 37th, 11 months, by Theodore (30,154), dam Cowslip 2nd, bred by It. L. Jenkins, E*q , N.s.W., T. and S. Moinn, second prize ; Cupid, 1 year 5 months, by Caiolus (vide N.Z. IlerdBuok), dam Duchess 3rd, bred by Nairn Bros., Napier, T. and S. Moirin; Thirteen weeks, Mr. W. Peraberton, honorable mention ; Biaudsby, 1 year old, by Alarmist (30 307), dam Susan, l»od Knight (27,231), g. dam fcarah, Stearsby (22/177), gg. dam Fiances, &c\, &c, Mr. R. Proude. Section 3 — Cows, iu Milk or Calf—Partide, uancow, 4-year's old, T. and S. Morrin, 1st pri^o ; Coi.?tanco, roau cow, 4 years, T. and b. iMornn, honorable mention ; Lady Eleanor, by Duke of Somerset, (23,012), dam Bloomer, by Conqueror, (21.4GG). See Coate'a Herd Book, 11. and E. Maclean, 2nd prize. Section 4 — Heifers, 2 years and not under 1 year — Two-years old, Mr. C. G. Murphy, two-years old, by Ywung Havelock, lac prize ; Mr. T. .Paton ; GiS3y, by Eclipse, dam Particle, bred hy J. Williamson, Esq., T. and S. Morriu ; Paufine, by Eclipse, dam Heatherbloom, bred by J. Williamson, £«q., Tj and S. Moirin. Section 6 — Heifers, 1 year and under — Vixeu 6tb, by Theodore (30,145), dam Vixen 3rd, by But'crfly Cth, bred by 1*. L. Jenkins, Esq . N.8.W., T. and S. Morrin, lit prlz,e ; by Wizard, Mr. E. Bovey, 2nd pri/5? j by Wizard, Mr. T. Paton ; Mr. Ji. Jdy.

HEREFORD CLASS. Section 2. — Bulls, 2 year* and under— Count Fosco, S months, Mr. H. Vorcoo, (protested). Section 3. — Cows, in milk or calf — Mobb Rose, by Duke of Edinburgh (3,077), dam Sweet Briar, by Commodore, &c, Ac. E. and K. Maclean, 1st pnzs ; Lady Timaru, by Prince Leopold II (3,351), dam Princess Helena, by Prince Leopold I. (2,097), bred by Her Majesty the Queen, R. and B Maclean ; Mr. H. V« raic, 2ud prize. Dairy Cows.— Mr. (i S. Wallace, lat prize; Mr. E. Bovcy, 2nd prize; Mr. W. Ferguson, A. and G. Anderson, Mr. J. May.

FAT CATTLE. Section 1— Oxen.— It. and B. Maclean, 1st prize ; Fisher and Co., 2nd prize ; 1\. and E. Maclean, hou. mention ; Fisher and Oo, ; Fisher and Co. Section 2— Cows or Hkieers. — Cows, Fisher and Cn 7 Iatpri7o ; cows, lusher and Co. ; cows, Fisher and Co. Extra Stock. — Two yearling bcifers, Mr. J, Bainbndge j yearling heifer, Mr. E. Bovey, let prize.

SHEEP. Judges — Mosira T. Henwood, W. Atkin, J. Bollard.

LEICESTER CLASS. This was one of the host sections of the exhibition. The exhibits wore fair in number, and for the most parb excellent in quality. Somo of the rams exhibits.! by Mr. Thomas Russell were not only heavy fleeced sheep but large-framed animals, and were in excellent condition. Mr. May was unfortunate in not securing a prize for his Lincoln rums and hoggets, although some of them were really excellent animals , but he •ucceeded in obtaining two prizes for Lincoln ewes. The sheep stock exhibited yesterday were upon the whole very good, and reflected credit upon the Auckland sheep farmers. After the shearing competition was ovor some of the exhibitors canted all the sheep they exhibited to bo shorn, and a dip having been procured they were dipped then and there to prevent them carrying away with them any infection of tho scab. Other exhibitors intended to shear their exhibited stock as soon as they got home, and then dip their sheep as a preventive measure. The following are the catalogued entries in this class, and the prizos awarded : — Section 1— Rams— Shorn January 1874, Mr. Russell, 1st prize. This was a Lincoln ram bred in Messrs Duddings flock, though awarded a 1st prize an a Leicester ram. It wns a splended animal. Mr. C. Shiphord, 2nd prize. Mr. S. P. DeOarteret, A. anajJ. DeCarteretj A, and J. Anderson,

Section 2— R\m How :1:1s— R. and K. Maclean, lstpn/c ; ditto 2ml pn/r. Mr T. llusell, A. and J. Anderson, MrC. Shipherd. Section 3— Ewfx— Mr J. Wallace, 1st pn/e. Mr 0. Shipherd, '2nd prize. U. and E Maclean, Mr. J. Hayr, Mr. J. (hllard. Section 4— E\VE iloocim'fl— Messrs. II. and E Maclean, 1st prize. Mr. J. Jiayi, 2ud pnzc. Mr. C. Shipherd. LIHf'OIiNS. Section 1 — Rams— Mr. C. J. Taylor|;ahom January 1S74, Mr. T. Russell, Mr. J. May. Section 2.— Ram Hoggets — Mr 11. Middloton, 1st prize. Mr. R. Middlctou, '2nd pn/e. The wool of the animal was fully 1inches long. Mr. J.May, Mi. J. "Wallace, Mr. T. Russell. Section 3.— Ewes, Sucktvg Lamus— Virst pri/,e, Mr. J. C Taylor; second pn«'°, Mr. Wallace ; bred by Mr. Gaifit, Lmcolii'-liit^ R. and E Maclean; bred by Mr. (iaiht, Lidoolnshiro, U. and E. Maclean. Section 4 —Ewe Hcounrs — First and second prize, Mr. J. Wallace ; Mr. I). McN]cho',Mr. J. May, A. andJ. L0NGW00LS. Section 1.— Rams— First prizo, Mr. T. Russell, shorn January, 1874; second pn/c, Mr. T. Russell, shorn March, 1S7-1 ; A. and J. Anderson, Mr J. VVallaco. Section 2 — Ram Hoggeis— First pii/c, A. and J. Anderson ; thia animal had a fleeco which would probably weigh when shorn, lSlbs. or 191bs. Secoud pii-ie, Mi. J. Wallace ; this animal had a very heavy fleece. Section 3. — Ewes, SuCKLiNU L/YMits -Mr. J. Wallace, 1st prize. Section 4 — E\ye Horokts— First pri/.e, Mr. J. Wallace ; second prizo, Scott Kios ; A. and J. Anderson, Mr. 0. Shipl.prd. E\TK\ STOCK— Lincoln E*ves : Fust prize, Mr. J. May. Lincoln Ewes : Second pi i/e, Mr. J. May.

SHEEP-SHEARINCr. The Judge* in this section weie Messrs .1. Holland, T. Ilonwood, \V. Atkin, and Thomas Khipherd. The time allowed was 40 inmates to shear one alieep The following entered for the men r—Mes^rs. Thomas White, M. Koutley, Henry Koutley, D. lloutloy, James Plumley, Luke Bollaul, and J. Gillard. This matter excited a yoo'l deal of interest, in consequence of the speed displayed by Plumley. His aheep was shorn by the time the others had made a good commencement, and the sheep was taken fiotnthc pen and branded to him, but he seemed unwilling to engage in shearing a second one. After deliberately folding up his fleece, he began the shearing of tho second owe with some energy, and it and nnothcr were shorn before one of the other competitois had finished the shearing of one. There was considerable cheeriug at the resul., and many calls were made for him to bogm another one but this he declined to lo. Tne pii/ea were awarded to Messrs. Jlenry llontley and Luke Bollard respec tively. For tho boy competitors two candidates presented themselves, -Masters Thomas Gillard and Willi.im M.i>, who oht.nuud l'nsb and second pn/ > lLspectivtly. Foity minutes is a long time to allow to the uniloecing of one sheep, and it would bo a desirable variation to introduce in futuie 1 rials of skill ilock shearing, as well as excellence merely. By this means, a fair average quality of work would he ensured, and at the same time a display of skill in point of spaed. Little would bo made by a ■workman if ho only clipped one .sheep in 'lO minutes during the day, if paid at the rate of 18s. per one hundred. The standard of speed should be fixed at least eight withiu an hour.

SW7NT2. In this section the display was exceedingly poor, both in number and quality. Tbeio was only one judgo, Mr. liilkey. The entries numbered four. Mr. Style3 ? s boar gave evidence of being a veiy hno animal wh<>n full grown, but the others were very indifferent. Th«y had all veiy long snouts, and appeared to be anything but inotLl animals, it is to be reyit'tttd that inoio attention is not paid by our settlers to pigs, and ill-bred brutes are anything but prolitable to their owners. The following are the entries and prizes awarded : — Section 1. Boak-1, any age. Boar, 9 months, Mr. G. Styles, 1st prize. Sect.on 3. Sow s, any age. Two years, Mr. H. Hamlin, 1st pri/o ; 13 months, Air. H. Hamlin, 2nd pri/o ; IS months, Mr. W. Feiguaon.

POULTRY. Tho judges in this section were Messrs C. T. Wien and H. Hayr. Tho display ot poultry was very small, not more than one third of the number exhibited last year weio brought forward. Some very fair liirds were exhibited however. In the coop for black Spanish fowls, the cock was a very good bird, but evidently old, and tho hens were not full bred. There was a coop of very pretty wbitii doikinga which received tho 1st pure. The chief objection to white poultiy is their liability to become very much .soiled during wet weather, and tew things look more untidy about a residence than well bred poultry whoso natural colour it is scarcly possible to recogniso through tho overlaying mud, and no domestic birds show themselves ia this reipeot so unfavourably aa d'i light coloml poultry. Tho coop of Cicve (Joeur, exhibited by Mr. Cowaill were very pretty birds, but appeared exceedingly wild, and fluttered timidly as their cage was approached by the visitors. Mr. A. W. Wood entered some dark Brahuiau far exhibition, but they did not come forward. With this exception ali tho entries were exhibited. The following are the entries and prizes awarded : — Whito dorking, Mr. W. Ferguson, 1st prize ; grey dorking, Mr. J. Wallace, 1st prize ; black Spanish, Mr. W. Steadmau, 1st prize ; Creve Cceur, ivfr. Cowsill, 1st prize ; Houdan, Mr. A. E. Wood, lsbpriza; dark Brahma, Mr. A. E. Wood Post Entries.— Pigeons, Mr. J. J. Craig, 1st pnzo ; Mr, J. J. Craig, 2nd prize.

LOCAL INDUSTRY. The judgea in this section were Messrs. T. Shipherd, vV. T. B-iaaott, and W. Goodfellow. A a stated abovo the number of exhibits in this section were much fewor than on former years. The reason is obvious. However, the articles which were exhibited left nothing to be com plained of in point of quality, aud not a few of them showed the progress which was being made in our local manutactoucs. Startup with a buggy (sin^lo), from the workshop ot Messrs. Cousins and Atkin which takes a first prize, — this bu^gy had a swing wheel plate of a somewhat new pattern, and was the centre of a good deal of attraction. The fore wheels of the buggy wcro raised from the ground, bo that visitors slumM have the fullo»t opportunity oE esauiiuing tho character of the swing-whcol platu. Alongside of this buggy wan placed the buggy of Dr. Purchas', in which there was a swing- wheel plate with a ring bolt, and ho was exerting himsolf to persundo spectators that his plan, which was of his own d'jaicjn, was superior to that of Messrs. Cousin ami Atkin, which was so arranged as to do without a ring bolt. It was evident, however, to all practical men that the plan of Messrs. Cou«in and Atkin was the better of tho two. We notic* a double buggy of their /oonsti uution, similarly favourably noticed ; and a heavy spring cart by Mr. Currie, alao a firat prize. Then a very elegant d ou bio buggy, shown by Mr. C. G. Quick. Mr. Jonoa has » large assortment of aaddlnry, aud his harness as exhibited on the back of a horse specially appropriated for that purpose, looked well. That tobacco can be grown in the provinoe and successfully, was made plain by Mr. Goteh. in his exhibits of Pupitkura grown tobacco and oigarn, but the snuff di not aeem to meet with appreciation in cor. tain quarters. The moat tastefully arranged oast) wai/| oerfcaiuly Mr. Allcndor's sbow of soup and candles, and very deservedly wai placed in the front rank. The usual kinds of scented soaps, which have hitherto been imported from abroad, had representatives in tho Allandor oa«o, whioh will havo n tendency to diminish our impoits of those articles for tho future. There was honeyscented soaps iu bars aad tablets, elder flower soented, glycerine soaps, almond•writer! nnap, and old brown Windsor, equal in H.ivour to the last imported. This is tho (irat occasion that Mr. Allendor has boon an exhibitor of scented soaps, and wo were | informed that he can supply them in quauti-

ties, ei|ual to the exhibits, at puces ;nvUr | that charged for the imported article There were also various pattern* of cooking stoves from the factoiy of Mr. II. H. Smith, and Mr. P.rown coiitnbnted a globe of candied peel, made from Auckland grown oranges and lemons It seems to have become a modem amusement to manufactui e woollen articles fiom the homegrown wool, at lc.ist it was so shown by Mis J>oithwiok, who, if wo mistake not, exhibited some homo-spun materials last year aa well as this. Thero wcie also &omo excellent wiuos o\hibitodhy Mr. •). S. Wendell, of Gic\-atiecr, mado from grapes and other fruits grown in this province. The following are the articles and pri/os awarded in tins section : — Singlo seat bu 't»y, Cousins and Atkin, 1st prize ; double scat bugey, Cousins and Atkiu, 1st puze ; heavy spiin<r cait, Mr. J. S Currie, 1st prize ; spidei buggy, made by exhibitor, Mr. 0. G. Quick, 1st pn/e ; two pair of wheels, hand- made by exhibitors, Goo ami Potter, 1st pi i/,o ; spi ng cart, Gee and Potter, 2nd pri/o ; general assortment of saddlery and harness, Mr. \V. S. Jonc3, hoaora!)Ie mention ; various pottery ware, pipes, &c, Mr. Carder, sen., first prizo, Different kinds of cut tobacco, different kinds of plug tobacco, cigars (several boxes), tobacco leif (samples), snuffd (different samples) — all manufactured from leaf grown in New Zealand — tobacco plants in pot*, growing, Mr. IS. W f Gotch, 1st pu'/e as a collection. Fancy and common soap 5 , Mr. J. AUender, 1st pn/c ; soft &o<ip, Mr. J. Ailender, 1st pn/e ; mould candles, Mr. J. Ailender. Wrought iron Leamington range, wrought him oottaga range, improved patent portable smoke-consuming oven, colonial oven, exhibited by Mr. II. H. Smith, lstpn/'j as a collection. Lemon marmalade, (> tins, orange marmalade, 3 tins, candied peel, 1 globe, preserved bananas, 2 bottles, bncuits, 3 tins, exhibited by Mr. I' 1 . G Brown, lirst, prize as a collection. Woollen yam and men's socks, wool grown on the farm of W. Hay, Esq., Papakura, and knitted by exhibitor, Sirs. C Uoithwiok, 1st prize ; Mrs. McLeod, 2nd prize. Fancy made patch woik, prico £7, mado by exhibitor, Mr. T. Short, 1st prize. Grape wine, Mr. .1. S. Wendell, 1st prizo ; still and peach wine, Mr. J. S. Wendell. 1st pn/e; bed quilt, Mrs. Casey, 1st prize.

IMPLEMENTS. This section was divided into two divisions, the first boing implements of local manufacture, and the second division, iinportc (I implements. The Judges of both divisions were Messrs. J. Wallace (Fiat Bush), J. Wallace (.Mangere), and Duncan McNichol, who evidently did their work carefully and with discrimination. Mi. James Wallace, ot Otahuhu, was most sue cesaful, and the collection of implements ho exhibited was one of tho best wo have yet seen him turn out. #Ho succeeded in carrying ofF nino first class prizes, and for some articles he was highly commended by the Judges. Ho was tho only exhibitor in the local inanufactuto sub-section . Amongstthe imported there were some excellent co Unctions, esppciilly those of Messrs. T. and M. Morrin and I'] Porter and Co. These, two firms exhibited a largo collection of most useful articles for the garden, farm. etc. Each of these firms had many articles exhibited which were not catalogued. The following were the entries catalogued and the pn/."s awarded in each section : — LorvL Manukac iure. — Ono swing or single wheel plough, ono light two-w heeled antifriction plough, one heavy two-wheeled antifriction plough, ono double furrow plough, with central lifting and parallel straightening lovcts, one double furrow plough, with central lifting leverage, one light double furrow plough, with central lifting leverage, one large size spring-tooth self delivery horso rako, ono two-horse broadcast seed sowing machine, ono Norwegian harrow, exhibited by Mr. J. Wallace, Otnhuhu, 1st pri/o ; one plough, sltcith, with nave, Mr. J. Wallace, commended. Imported. — Tho following were exhibited by Messrs. E. Porter and Co.. — Ono Side delivery Reaping Maehino, ono Combined Reaping Maching, (Porteous) ditto, 1st pri/e, ono Combined Reaping Machine (Brigham), second pri/e, ono Shir Mowing Machine, second pri/e, four Chaff Machines, 1st prize for ono article, and 2nd pri/q for best collection ; Three Hoi to Hoes, honor abla mention ; four Harrows, l-.t pri/e ; six Ploughs, 1st pri/o for ono article, and a'so 1st pri/,o for best collection ; Seed Sowers, Broadcast and Drill, 1st pn/ • ; Turnip Cutter and Pulper ; ono Threshing Machine ; one Winnowing Maehino ; One-fforsa Mower ; Cheese Presses ; stand of Agricultural Implements, honorable mention , Washing Machines, &c., &c Nicholnon's new patent Double speed ReaperR.and E Maclean The following article 1 ? were exhibited by Mew<i. T. aud S. Morrin : — Ono buckeye combined mower and reaper, 1st prize ; one Wood's combined mower and reaper, 2nd prize ; ono Ilornsby's combined mower and reaper, commended ; one Hornsby'a mower only, commended ; ono balance horso hay raUe, 1st pri/.e; other rakes, 2nd prize ; three patent Amoriein post-bolo augurs, hon. mention ; two puton earth scoops, two Richmond and Co.'-j patent chaff cutters ; two Bentall's patent chaff cutters, 1st prizo ; various chaff-cutters, 2nd prize ; two Richmond and (Jo 's corn crushers. For the last five entries this (inn received a second prize for tho collection of implement 1 ?. Nicholson's Victorian mowing m.ichino, R. and E. Maclean.

JuMPiNf! Match. — Them were two classes in this match, one allotted for men and horg'S. The entrance foe charged being 5s., and another section for boys not over 14 yearn of acre, ridinp ponirs not over 13 hands high Thr prizes offered were £3 and £2 respectively for the men, and £1 and 10s. for tho boy«. There wore seven mon competitors and two boy competitors. The men's prizes were won by Mr. J. S. Auckland on the Blackman, aged 6 yearn, at a height of 4 feet 7i inches ; and Mr. Thomas Brown on Blaze. The boys' prizes wore won by Masters H. Pcacocke aud Anderson rr spectivoly. Thi'i was tho l.i'it entertainment of the day eonmctpd with thn show department, save tho animal 'Tinner which took place at a later hour in tho cveuing.

1874 1873 1872 1S71 Horses 67 63 68 44Cattle 39 ...74. . C<6 . .. 62 Sheep 63.. .. 65 .. . 71 02 Swine 4 13 .. .. 13 16 Poultiy 6 19 25 S Local industry 66 138 165 56 t>o S s 120 78 36