SOLWAY SHOW

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 45, 21 February 1917, Page 3

SOLWAY SHOW

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING

CONSIDERABLE INTEREST

EVINCED

(BY TELEGEAPn.—SPECIAL TO THE POST.) MASTERTON, 20th February. The war' has undoubtedly affected all agricultura.l shows, while general entries and attendances show only a slight falling off. The fact is that much of the stock exhibited is not up to show . form, and also a complete absence of the carnival spirit is most noticeable. With the current shortage of farm labour exhibitors find it impossible to give the same attention to their show beasts as they did in pre-war days, and, more than that, many of them with sons at the front and their minds centred on the Western front, cannot arouse the same enthusiasm as heretofore ; therefore stock suffers in appearance, although, according to competent judges, there is practically no deterioration in quality, taken all round. • ' ■ ' The Masterton A. and P. Society's Show, which opened at Solway to-day, found most of the cattle and sheep.in the pink of condition. The attendance appeared to be, if anything, below the average, and the absence of sturdy young, men was . more pronounced than ever. The. war has meant a big drain on the manhood of the country districts, and he who used to take such pride in the preparation of show stock is now engaged on more important work in the distant field. \ In his place there is his father, Tesurrected from retirement, and doing his best to carry on. Side-shows have dwindled down, and those which remain have to .work harder for support, and at times their appeals are almost desperate. However, taking all these things into account, the Masterton Show this year is a good show, and he would be a very well-informed farmer who had nothing to learn from it. JUDGING DAY. . ■ , To-day was judging day, a day essentially for experts, who find interest and education in the careful study of sheep, cattle, and horses. Among the pens there is mj^ny an argument as to the qualities and value of the respective breeds. Each farmer has his own particular likings, and it needs a very powerful argument to induce him to change his mind. Witness the case of some men who rightly stick to a breed, long since discarded as unsuitable by a big majority., _ „ It is in the sheep classes where the biggest falling off of entries has occurred, but that does not indicate that breeders aTe discarding sheep in favour of dairying. _ It is most notable how Lincolns are increasing in popularity, mainly owing to their heavy growth of wool, now so highly priced. There were big entries in each class, and prizes were evenly divided over eight competitors, among whom tho Rayriers, of Masterton, stood out most prominent. The strongest class in sheep, however, is the Romney, of which there is a total of 94 exhibits, all of excellent quality, and competition was keen. Great interest centred on the contest for special trophies.- The Brancepeth Cup Competition, in which E. Short (Feilding) has had two successive wins, and needed a third to become its owner, went to William Perry, of Masterton, who also secured the Perry salver, his second win in succession., ' E. Short was awarded .the .Challenge Rose. Bowl. Southdowns were represented by 50 good entries, and Messrs. Richmond and Ferr nic, outside exhibitors from Hastings, secured most . firsts. The remaining prizes were divided among three exhibitors. H. D. Vavasour, of Blenheim, took quite a flock of Shropshires to Solway, but met with .no competition. Shropshires are not greatly favoured in i the North Island. At any rate, some good sheep were shown in the farmers' utility classes, the majority being in tho best of condition.. The Tikitapu Cup went to Guy / C. Williams. F. Shaw and Sons, had they won this year, wonld ' have been owners of this valuable trophy. ...-■■

In the cattle division there- were three classes in which there was no competition —namely, grade Shorthorn (which class in the opinion of many should be cut out of the catalogues), Polled Angus, and Ayrshire. All other breeds were represented'by typicals, and in some instances the judges had high words of praise for the prize-winners. However, competition was somewhat limited, and the fact that there are not more new names heading the prize-lists is to bo generally regretted. „.'-. FINE FAT STOCK. There is some magnificent fat stock in the pens. These beasts are always a feature of the Masterton Show, and of interest to people generally, as well as to the expert.. . There are twenty-seven Herefords, thirteen Jerseys, and twentythree of that popular milking strain, Holstein Friesians. There is not a big display of dairy cattle, nor was such to be expected.

At Masterton tho produce, home industries, and children's classes are always an interesting feature, and have attracted considerable attention. The children's school work, such as writing and drawing, earned much favourable comment.

CHAMPIONSHIPS The honours board of championships is as follows:— '. . CATTLE. Shorthorn—Bull, James Kilgour, Kiwitea; cow, W. Howard Booth, Carterton. Cup,.for best yearling bull—James Kilgour. . Hereford—Bull, B. Chambers, Martinborough; cow, E. Short, Feilding. Murray-Roberts Cup, for best yearling bull—B. Chambers. Polled Angus—Cow and bull, Burling Bros, Masterton—the only exhibitor. Ayrshire—Cow ' and ' bull; Duncan Matheson, Carrington—the only exhibitor. < . Jersey—Bull, E. Harding, Woodville. Friesian—Bull and. cow, W. I. Lovelock, Palmerston North. Best fat bullock—R. D. Rodgers, Feilding; cow, Sir Walter Buchanan. • •■■ ■ SHEEP Lincoln—Ram, W. Perry, Masterton; ewe, Bland Rayner, Masterton. Romney Marsh—Ram, W. Perry; ewej G. E. Allan. ■ : Southdown—Ram and owe, Richmond 1 and Fernie, Hastings. I Shropshire—Ram, H. 'D. Vavasour, Blenheim. ,

j PRIZE LIST j- A'detailed summary the prize-list lis appended :— ' -„'. CATTLE. ' Herefords.—Competition in this class was mainly between E. Short and D. M'Kenzie, "Masterton. The former took six firsts, five seconds, and three thirds; the latter four firsts, three seconds, and three thirds.. B. Chambers (Martmboro) -rfas awarded one first and J. C. M'Killip (Masterton) one second. Among Shorthorns, W. 11. Booth, Oart'orton, was awarded a first and three seconds; Sir Walter Buchanan one first, three seconds, and four thirds; James Kilgour a first and a. third. One exhibitor in grade Shorthorns was J. Strong, Masterton; in Polled Angus, Burling Bros., Masterton ; and in Ayrshires, Duncan JMatlio. son, Carrington. Jersey prizes were awarded to the following; Thomas Disoi), Ma-atorton, two Jktta. a- spcond. and.'.a. thkd; E, L.

Horn, Manakau, two firsts; E. Harding, Woodville, and C. .11. Thompson, Has - ings, each a first; F. O. Johansen, Kaituna, two seconds and a third; W. H. Barcom.be, Masterton, a second.

For Friesians, W. I. Lovelock secured most prizes, namely, four firsts, five seconds, _and two thirds. A. J. Gallichan, Tiakitahuna, was awarded four firsts, one second, and a. third, , the Brentwood Farm Company a first and second; R. Melvin, Masterton, a first; E. Buckerklge, Masterton, a third.

In dairy cattle, J. and W. Fisher, Clarevills, secured all the prizes except one second, which went to F. H. Schn.ni, Weber.

The prizes for fat cattle were evenly distributed. J. W. Buchanan took, four firsts, three seconds, and two thirds; Sir Walter Buchanan, three firsts and a third; R. D. Rodgers, a first; Guy Williams, a first, two seconds, and a third; W. H. Booth, a second and two thirds; Ogilvy and Sons, t-wo thirds; T. Saunder, Glen Oroua, a first and two seconds; F. Armstrong, Akitio,. a second and third. SHEEP. Lincolns.—Bland Rayner was awarded four firsts, three seconds, and two thirds ; Wm. 'Perry, two firsts - and . a third; W. H. Gaisford^ Oringi, one first, four, seconds, and a third; Wm. Rayner, two firsts;. Bland R. Rayner, a third; 'A. E. Anderson, a second and two thirds; A. D. M'Master, a first, a second, and a third; the Estate of D. M'Gregor, a second and a third. Romneys.—The principal winners in this class were William Perry, four firsts, two seconds, and two thirds; G. E. Allen, three firsts, two seconds, and three thirds; E. Short, two firsts, four seconds, and one third. Subsidiary prizes went to A. and J. Gray, C. Wagland, Bland Rayner, David Smith, A. R. Fanning, W. H. Buick, and William Rayner. In Southdowns, Richmond and Fernie (Hastings) had. things • much their own way, securing six firsts, four seconds, and a third.' James KnigVit. was awarded two firsts, three aeconds, si.d six thirds; W. H.'Booth, two firsts, a second, and two thirds; J. M'Gregor, a second. '

The only exhibitor in Shropshires was H. D. Vava-sour, Blenheim. ' , The farmers' classes wure good. K. Harper won two firsts, three seconds, and a third; F. H. S-haw and J. b\A W. Fisher, each a first; T. 'H'Juice, two thirds, two seconds, and a first. Competition was keen in the class frr fat sheep, and the prizes were well distributed. The most successful .exhibitors were W. Reid and Son End J. and W. Fisher. Other prize winners were D. ' M'Lachlan, . W. H. fteeth im, J. M'Kcnzio, J. Holmes, E. Harper, Miss Zona Vallance, H. fiayner, jun, and J. R. Morris. '

Best Pet Lamb.—Mast-w Gordon Fisher,. 1; Master Leslie Ravner, 2; Miss Irene Rayner, 3. HORSES. . - Stallion Classes.—E. Liddington, two firsts; H. Hassell, one first; Neil Small, one first; L. M'Kenzie, a second; W. Roche, a third. ; J Agriculture (open classes). —C. Perry and Co.. ten firsts, a second, and three thirds; W.F.C.A., five firsts, seven seconds, and two thirds; New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency, a second and a third.