THE MANAWATU SHOW.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 117, 13 November 1902, Page 2

THE MANAWATU SHOW.

& WET FIRST DAY, SOME OF THE RESULTS. (By Our Special Reporter.) PALMERSTON" N., Wednesday. A blustering blizzard from the northwest, with continuous rain squalls, distinguished the first day of the 1902 show of the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association. It is not an unusual experience to have bad weather — rather the other way about. It would be unique to get three perfectly fine days, but there have been few wetter or more dreary days spent on the grounds at show time. A half -gale from the west had been blowing for some days previously. "I'm afraid wo shall get rain to-morrow," said the President the night before the event. We got au unlimited supply, undiluted except in minor quantities at much-fre-quented public resorts. It was disheartening to exhibitors and to officials, and had a generally marring effect on the day's proceedings. It delayed the judging, and it hindered exhibitors from putting their stands in order. The implements and machinery made a brave show despite the conditions, but the designers and builders of "poems in daisy-cacts and buggies" viewed with alarm the incursion of the rainwater, and hastily covered "up costly lacquered and upholstered work. Several of the dairy machinery exhibits occupying an open shed, got up steam early in the day, but the rain drove in and drove the engineers out, or forced them to cover, up their exhibits'while the showers were on." "In the industrial stalls all was briskness within, preparing, for an^ assault upon possible buyers on the morrow. The exhibition hall took some time to prepare, and manyof the exhibitors spent most of the day getting tip their displays for exhibition. The competitive section perforce had to be early to catch the eye of the judges. THE GROUNDS. Outside the grounds looked refreshingly green, and made one yearn for a glimpse •of the summer sun to brighten up the picture. The improvements which the Association has effected since last year have already been noted. Their effect in general will Tie more] apparent to-morrow., . For. to-day_ it. is ,enough to say that the ' gravelled paths that have been laid down in various directions saved the pedestrian from having to trail across wet grass paddocks, and were pro-, perly appreciated. The general ■ appearance of the grounds will be improved tomorrow, my xthe. addition '^of-< numerous stands, tents, and booths, .which the weather to-day prevented from being erected. THE DAY'S "PROGRAMME. . Thero'was no stock on the ground today — that comes -to-morrow, horses, sheep, and cattle. Poultry, pigs, and sheep dogs represented the only bird and animal life submitted to the verdict of the judge.. The pigs occupied thoir usual stalls on the. western side of the grounds, the dog trials took place 'on .the . main oval, and the poultry exhibits had an annexe to themselves in the exhibition hall, where the produce, home industries, art, and other sections were also staged and judged. > There were not nearly so many sightseers a3 usual, the weather having kept Jthem away. The main attraction of the afternoon was the military competitions, „w hich are quite new features of show programmes. Thase took place for .the • most part on tho greco directly ( in- front -of the Grand Stand, and attraoted con-* siderable notice,, as well as keen compe.tition. The Palmerston North Municipal Band, under Bandmaster Clarebut, played selections while the ring .events were in progress. t ,< ', COLLIE DOG TRIAL. '• • Great interest) • wa-8 ' taken In - the v shcep" -dog trial, • despite the fjiictw\that, it was'/ got off in.' showers of rai,n. -The iridV consihted of a shepherd '"and his dog, bringing -back and yarding ' three sheep • on a course of abouv '500. yards {in the 'show-ring. There vrcsre' .IJ> entries, and • all but one of the ' dogs started. The contest was of a rather wearying .nature, the man, the dog, and each of the sheep at times working at aoss-purposes. A? "no swearing was allowed,' the shepherd was hard put to it sometimes to make .his dog understand his extreme polite;ness — and failure resulted. Points weie 'given for command, style, yarding, and time, 30 being tie possible ■.number of points. The result of the competition 'was as follows: — Howard Nicholson's JMonk, 14£ points, 1 (£7) ; William Prentice's Don, 14 points, 2 (£5); R. Reid'b . Sam,- 12 points, 3 -(£5). Th 6 judge H (Mrt : Alex. Moikle, ' of 'Op/ak'i) ■ did not 1 Ihirik' much of the competitors, as the follow;--ing tag to -his award indicated :—"Taking the dogs on the whole, they are xj v. very poor lot", and inclined to be ratfier rough. They w,ant more patience with the owner." It is only fair to add that the sheep were very much affected by the roughness of the weather. THE -PRODUCE. The produce exhibit was not complete, consequently it is impossible to say much concerning it, except that there appeals room for further development of this department. - The 'factory-butter" exhibit judged in Wellington, where it has been in stQre for the past' month, had not arrived, nor. had the -results. As regards* farmers* butter— (the results of the competition in which were forwarded yesterday),"the judges (Messrs. J. T. Lang and Morris), intimated that though some of the exhibits were not up to Tshow iorm, the quality of that sent in by the prize-winnors'-was-roally good, and in the qase of the uon-sepftrator butter it was iinp'ossible to divide fw^ .of, the; exhibits, so ( fii'st prizes ifefovawarded.'to^ tijpth'. The'^exhibit of factory cheeses w^is disappointing, only one competitor -'(J. Skeftnan. of Palmerston) venturing out, and he took both first and second awards. HORTICULTURE. This was an innovation so far as Palmerston is concerned, and, though scarcely representing the capabilities of the dis- . trict in flower-growing, made a bright little cottage-garden exhibit. The chief feature was the table decorations, the first prize falling to Mrs. R. Sadler Smith and the second to Mrs. IL Tripe. In other departments tho prizes went ps under: — Cut flowers in stands — Mrs. R. Sadler Smith, 1 ; Mrs. Barraud, 2. • Cut flowers in baskets— Mrs. Bell, 1; Mrs. L. Abraham, 2. Collection of cut rose-3 — Mrs. R. Sadler Smith, l;* Mrs. Barraud, 2 Collection of buttonholes.— Mrs. R. Sadler Smith 1;'1 ;' 1 and 2. Best bouquet— Miss D. Tripe,< 1 ; ..Miss Mi riam Trow, 2. ' Foliage plahts-^Mrs. Mellsop, 1. Open competition 1 ■ for -cut- flowers— W: jusv; 1.- '*% "■■■• ~ -•• •' • . HOME 'INDUSTRIES. The special feature of this 'section was the exhibit of home-made bread and delicacies for the table, for which there was the largest entry yet seen at a local . show. The fudge! (Mr. ! J. M. de r clared that at least a dozen of the bread exhibits were", equal in- quality to anything a professional hake'f could turn out. Mrs. J. Hasting^ took first honours, and Mrs. W. Maxwell second, for biead; Mrs. > G. Allman and Mrs. J. D. Smith first and second respectively for scones ; Mrs. W. R. Preston first and Mrs. C. Dawick second for fruit enke ; Mrs. G. H. Bycroft first for iced cake ; Mrs. G. T. Woodroofe, juu., first for best collections of email cakes and fecond for iced cake and jam spongs ; .and Mibs A. M Roigard first for ju'm sponge. The best collection of bottled fnut was bhown by Mrs. A. "Clark, .best home-made pickles by Mrs. G. T. Woodroofe, jun.,

and Mrs. F. Fowlev secured the prize for jam. ART AND INDUSTRIAL WORK. Sirs. Alex. Crawford, of Miramax, judged the industrial and art work, -n hich was a distinctly pleasing section as far as it went. The prize for lace -\voik fell to Miss E. J. Brown ; for crochet, to Miss S. M. Grubb ; for mountmellick work to Mrs. G. H. Bycroft ; /draAvn thread, to Mrs. H. Crichton ; embroidery, to Miss Mortensen ; tray cloth, Mrs. H. Crichton ; tea cosy, Mrs. Mellsop ; table mats, Mrs. H. Crichton ; hand knitting, Mrs. S. Woodhead, Mrs. J. Christensen, Mrs. J. C. Grubb, Mrs. C. Arbon, and Miss M. Babington, who each secured' a first; for different specimens. The judge suggests that in the needlework section there should next year be separate classes for primary and technical school workers. Mr. A. D. Eiley, who judged the public and private 'school exhibits of technifial work, has also suggested the improvement of next year's competition, to include among other things examples of elementary agriculture for children. As a first year's experiment, he regards the present exhibit as fairly promising. The awards fell as under : — Freehand drawing, Claude Oaklej', Palmerston j drawing, light and shade, H. W. Broad, Palmerston ; map drawing, Hugh Thompson, Palmerston ; .drawing with mathematical instruments, Ernest Toms, Palmerston ; wood carving, Lucy Powdrell, Kakaramea. In photography, the chief awards were secured by T. W. Downes (best collection of six pictures) * A. Hosking (best .hand-camera prints), and S. C. Lancaster (best three pictures). The entry was a small one. A -picturesque and exceedingly novel display that came .well wiJJiin. the definition of art, was made at. one end of the Exhibition Hall- by Patuaka Tauehe, a native from the Awalnui hapu. He and the members of his tribe contributed for exhibition only a unique collection of native work. As a centre-piece was shown a massive carved chairj ultimately to become the property of^ "King" Mahuta, designed and carved by Tauehe himself. An assorted collection of carved, work surrounded it, and other branches of Maori art and industry were illustrated by native mats and kits, and dozens of I floral designs, manufactured c-from the bark of the thousand- jacket, and done in colours as varied as that ofnthe chrysanthemum. The' exhibit- attracted considerable ■■ attention. "> ' ; ' '■ iW'Wellhigton Woollen ."Company made its tiisiial fine exhibit P of-" tweeds, etc,, shown through '. the agency of Mr. 0. Smith.'! :. ;' ' if. ■ ' ' , i POULTRY/ • The development .'of -the poultry industry has bean. very,!;jaarked in the Manawatu district, : and* there is ample evidence of ithe fact^at ibis' year's 'exhibition in connection with the show. The number , of' entries this year vwas 427, as against 274ilast yean „'Tb.e'ib irds are well penned in 'a' covered! building specially erected for -this department of the exhibition. The judges were Messrs. C. Canning (heavy plasses), and'J. D. Iremonger (light classes.) The principal feature of the exhibition is the quality and quantity of the" utility bird. Compared with the show of this class of bird made two years ago, the advance made by breeders is remarkable, and proves that the future expert trade will be largely contributed to by this district. The Minorcas, which made the largest of the entries, were so full- of quality as to bo fit to compete at any exhibition in the colony. Of the several Game classes, tlie Old English were the pick of a nice lot. The Langshans were of fair quality, and the Buff Orpingtons a really godd class. i'-Che local breeders were in strong evi'dence T in all classes, and bore off the bulk \6t the .honours. The first prizes in the'different" classes wjerqr..woil *by~tiic followiiWexhibitbrs B": Gray ; Co/osns,vHL Oti-een", Bj Gray-,/"C. 0. Saun'dcrs; '-Bralimaf, Canon Webb (Ormond,*ille), -Leyi S Lovelock ; Plymouth Rocks, H. J. Malison, H..A. Hunt, S. R. Lancaster; Langshans, W. H. Buick, A. D. Cole and Son, It. M'Jlurrayj Orpingtons, E. Robinson, S. Ilulchin, J. Jarvis, J. C. Buchanan, J. Wingale ; Indian Game, H. J: Ivlansdn, Mrs. E. Reid; Thoa. 0. Poad; Old English Game, J. Cavell, F. S.'M'jßae, I*. Evans; Game, any other vyficty, J. Cavell, H. A. Hunt; Minorcas. J. D. Cox ; John 'Casey, U. Ris ; Andalusian', Fred. J. Franco ; Wyaudottes, •tf. J. MansoUjs^i'ecl. Bradley, T. O-. Poad, J. Jarvis,' J. H. Manttpn,, C. HalsOj Frpnci», yinceiit Baker; Leghorns, E. 11. Hojland/ A. W. Broadway, J. Cinuinghnme, H. "V. Fitzherbert, C. C. Smith, Roiiberg ; Hcudans, H. J. Manaon,. J.^Jayo and Soii, ' Douglas Park ; Hamburg, S. R.'L'aneatttr, Toplin Bros., L. H. KhyjierJ , JCanon Y/ebb, Geo. Paltridge; Game Bantam's, John Prentice, Fred France, E. Mallows; best four live fowls for export, Thos. 0. Poad (Wereroa, Levin) ; turkeys, D. O. Shute, A. Richards; ducks, C. Pickering, Loii S. Lovelock," J. H. - Owen, J. G. Mayo, Mrs. J. W. Lovelock; H: •V; Fitzherbert, A. Richards. J.-l). Cox, -.of Palmerstoii, won the championship for^'tlie best' bird in. the sliow, with his Minorca cockerel. RING COMPETITIONS. The length of time taken up with the sheep dog trials in the .morning delayed the ring events, which were carried on throughout .the 'afternoon despite a raging gale. The contests were followed with a great deal o£ enthusiasm by the crowd which gathered ' in the members' stand, the interior of which was sheltered from thp gale. Tho Public or High School Cadets' Squad Competition attracted squads from not only the local, institutions but -from the Woodville school. The representatives, of theJatter school proved tt^win-neiVwitn''B2-jpoints f Out ot a. possible 100, and each member gets a silver medal. The lads went through the first five practices of physical drill in good style. The Campbell-street School's A -team came within a point of the Woodville boys, ymd the Palmerston Norbh High School team -was third with" SO points. The other competitors were the Campbell-st. B team and the Terrace End School cadets. 1 Colour-Sergt. Davis brought a squad of 12 men from the Wellington City Rifies to take part in the infantry competition. The contest consisted of physical drill, review exercises, and rifle exercises. The judges were SUH-Lieut. Davies and Staff-Major Peacccke. The city men astonished their country cousins with their machine-like precision, and scored 195 points out of a possible 200, winning the first prize (£6 10s). The squad from the Manawatu Rifle Cadets was second (£3, ss), with 158 poults, and the Pahnerslon. Rifles third, with 154£ * The Victoria Cross- competition, which provided excitement and amusement, bi ought -out competitors from all p#rls of the district,., confined to members of mounted Vifle. corps. ' Contestants had to -start irbm d given ppiul, "jump two hurdles, 1 , dismount; 'and pick up a full sized dummy under fire from a squad of men who were under cover, remount with- dummy, jump .two more liurdles, arid' race to starting point. lOlicc round the .ring, Th,e', content waj 'run off in three .beats, and. tli0 ( fealurej -was the excHllefit •tiding and jumping displayed. Oprpqral'H. P. Taylor,' Mana-wjatu Mounted Rifles,* won easily ; Trooper Murfitt, Hawkes .Buy Mounted Rifled; was second, and Scvgt. D. J. Lovelock, Manawatu Mounted Mounle i Rilles, was third. i Another event confined to mounted riflemen was the Addition Race, which _was of a novel character. Each competitor was nominated by a lady. 'Au addition

!ium was handed to "the competitor' on a card. On the word "go" he mounted and jumped two- hurdles, dismounted, handed card to lady, who reckoned* up the figures and handed the card- back to competitor, who then mounted, jumped wall and hurdle, and raced to winning post, handing card containing answer to the judge. Points for time and correctness of answer. Distance, 50Cvds. The event was got off in heats. Sergt. O. F. Ranby, Feilding Mounted Rifles, nominated by Miss Taylor, won easily ; Sergt. F. Lovelock, nominated by Miss _Watson, was second; and Trooper Murfitt, Hawkes Bay Mounted Rifles, was third. There were five entries for the section jumping and leading competition, which was an interesting event, with plenty of variety and not a little excitement. Sergt Wellwood and his three brothers, representing Hawkes Bay Mounted Rifles, won the substantial first prize of £16, with 67 joints. This section 'won a similar event at the Hawkes Bay Show last month. To-day the second prize of £8 was won by Sergt.-Major Denton's section, from the Horowhenua Mounted Rifles, with 65 points. Corporal Stuart's section of Hawkes Bay men was third, with 53 points. Other competitors were Sergt. Hyde's section from Hawkes Bay and Sergt. Lockwood's, from the Manai Watu Rifles. PIGS. Pigs are better represented this year than last, and generally speaking, the quality compares more than favourably with the previous show. The judge (Mr. E. D. Auvergne, of Sefton) declared that the Berkshires were a strong class, especially sows, and 12 ,-months' Tamworths were particularly good. Yoikshires were also a good class, especially sows under twelve months. As to bacon pigs another expert^ gave them exceptional praise, considering there would be difficulty in picking the winners. Messrs. J. Jarvis, ot Rongotea, and' Slack Bros., of Palmerston, scooped up most of the prizes in Berkshires and Tamworths. Mr. •Jarvis seemed the whole of the ".coveted championships, although beaten for .the points prizes by Messrs. Slack. ;He (took second prize for Berkshire sow -under twelve months, first for Tamworth boar under twelve months, second for boar under nine months, first for boar under six months, second for breeding -sow in pig, second for sow under nine months, and second for sow under six months. Messrs. Slack won first for Berkshire boar, under twelve months, second for boar under nine months, first and second for boar under six months, second for breeding sow, third for sow under twelve months, first and second for sow under } nine months, „ and third' for sow under.' six . months. Messrs. rE. White and Sl' R. Lancaster, two local breeders, were also prominent prize f takers in the same classes. • ' In Yorkshires B. Gray,- of Glenoroua, showed the champion boar and , sow, and E. White took most' of the^ other prizes. J Jarvis tobk the prizes offered for boar and sow; of any recognised breed pveviously onutnerSted, and Or Monrad, of Palmerston, ,took principal honours for iat pigs, the other takers of first prizes being P. -Neilsen aiui E. White.-/ Following are the points prizes for pigs : — Berkshire?;— Slack Bros., 28 points 1 ; Jarvis, 19 points, 2. Tamworths Jarvis, 32 points, 1,; White, 23 pohats, 2. Yorkshires— White, 18 points, U. ; Gray, 16 points, 2. Fat Pigs — Monrad, 20 points, 1. Jarvis gels the aggregate prize with 61 points, White being second with 41.