IN FINE WEATHER

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 108, 3 November 1926, Page 19

IN FINE WEATHER

MANAWATU SPRING SHOW

OPENING DAY AT PALMERSTON

NORTH

AN INCREASE IN ENTRIES,

(By Telegraph.) (From Our Special Keporters.) PALMERSTON N., 2nd November. Ideal weather favoured the opening day of the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association's Spring Show, and a good crowd took advantage of the opportunity of gaining firsthand knowledge of the productivity of the district. To-day waa fairly quiet, insofar as the general public were concerned, as the only ring events were a couple of jumping competitions, but the Industrial and Produce Hall, in addition to numerous sideshows, offered n. .Ny attractions. Apart from the hi ie industry classes, photography, and pigs little judging was done during the day, but to-morrow will be the big day, as horses, cattle, and sheep will bo judged. If the weather holds good, and prospects at present seem very favourable, there should be record attendances on the second and third days of the Show. Entries in the various classes gave the officials of the association every reason for gratification. There was fear at one stage that the series of slips in the Manawatu Gorge would affect the entries to a considerable extent, owing > the difficulty of transport, but the arrangements made by the Bailway Department had the effect of overcoming the difficulty, and only two competitors, J. N. Harding, of Waipukurau, and Archibald M'Lean, of Hastings, withdrew their entries. Numerically the entries are about 400 stronger than they were at. the Spring Show last year. In many classes there has been a decided advance over last year. Detailed figures are as follow (those for last year being in parr entheses); competitions, 183 (209); horses, 245 (204); cattle, 312 (297); sheep, 476 (435); pigs, 71 (50); needlework, 244 (220); cooking, 363 (449); photography, 78 (110); schools, 1342 (933); totals, 3314(2907). ENCOURAGING THE PIG INDUSTRY, The increase of entries in the pig section is particularly gratifying in view of the efforts that are being made to build up the bacon and pork export industry. The Manawatu A. and P. Association has played its part in the general campaign by providing special classes for, pigs. Entries in • these classes were judged alive, on the showground this morning, and were afterwards sent to the abbatoirs for slaughter. The carcasses are to be exhibited and judged in the Produce Hall'on the third day of the Show, and a <" .monstration and.lecture will also be given by the judge (Mr. H. Stuart). It is anticipated much good will folio w the special classes as the need for New Zea- ! land taking a more prominent part in the pork and bacon industry has been stressed at various times. Entries of cattle and sheep,are also highly satisfactory, the quality of the animals exhibited being of high order. These, together with the horses, will be judged to-morrow. , IN THE INDUSTRIAL HALL. There is 'much to interest and educate visitors to the-Show in the Industrial Hall. An outstanding feature of the exhibition is ■ the combined exhibit made by the Railway and Publicity Departments. In recent years there has been a tendency on the part of the Government Departments, particularly the Bailway Department, to enter the advertising field, for in an age of competition it is essential to keep in close touch with the public. In combining with the Publicity Department, the Bailway Department has been able to.present a, most attractive display, one which should result in a strong appeal to the imagination. Fine photographs of the scenic resorts of the Dominion are displayed, the whole making a very fine showing and offering, a strong inducement to tourists. In the centre of the display there is a circular poster, round which runs a miniature train. Various makes of motor-cars are once again in evidence, with American varieties on top numerically. British cars are few and far between, as is usually the case at Palmerston North. '. r . BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY. . The photograph section is. a strong one, and many beautiful prints won the admiration of visitors. . There is a strong representation of Wellington photographers; particularly in the open section, and the championship was won by a Wellington exhibitor, Mr. E. T. Bobson, who has been a successful competitor at Palmerston North for some years past. Mr. Bobson exhibited what was described by the judge (Mr. A. H. Eaton, of Wellington), as the best picture in the Show, a beautiful print entitled "Nature's Stronghold," which was typical of New Zealand's mountain scenery. Mr. Eaton said that the picture was most beautiful in' its tones, and was technically perfect. In speaking of landscapes generally, the judge stated, that many of the pictures had lost points as they did not depict New Zealand's scenery, while with some it was difficult to ascertain whether the subject was peculiar to the Dominion or not. "In landscapes," said Mr. Eaton, "I do like to see New Zealand scenes predominate, and it does not appeal to me to see people bring, things from abroad." The standard generally in the landscape section won the commendation of the judge, who sail that it was a matter of very fine judging to arrive at the first and seco- I awards. New Zealand landscapes made up a very fine class. In addition to the work of Mr. Bobson, the work of Mr. George Chance, of Dunedin, who is a regular exhibitor at Palmerston North, also won the approval of the judge, who spoke Tory highly of some of this exhibitor's work. In dealing with th 6 amateur classes, the judge expressed keen disappointment, both with the number of entries and their quality. Particularly did he regret the fact that the Manawatu district was^ so poorly represented. Most of the prizes in the amateur classes' went out of the district, There was also lack of pictures depicting Manawatu scenes. Mr. Eaton commended the work of Mr. S. E. Cousins, of Wellington, who was' awarded first prize in two of the classes. PIG SECTION. Competition was not particularly keen in the pig sections, a fact which was regretted by the judge (Mr. W. B. Grant, New Plymouth). The judge, however, expressed Himself as well pleased with the general standard of the animals penned, which, he said, compared very1 favourably with the best of Taranaki,' and this was saying a good deal. The Tamworfchs received Special mention from the judge, who said that this breed had been greatly improved of recent years, and was becoming increasingly popular. It was clear from the types that, had been submitted that the breeders in Manawatu fully realised what was required. In the Berkshires, Mr. J. A. Russell, of Gillespie's Line, scored heav-j

ily, securing three first and five seconds. Mr. N. P. Ncilsen, of Tiakitahuna, also did well, gaining two wins. The stock from the Central Development Farm also won the approval of the judges, and annexed two firsts, including a championship, and two seconds. There was a marked improvement in quality of the Tamworths, a class in which Mr. N. P. Neilsen achieved success, gaining four firsts and one second. Mr. J. A. Russell got a first and a second, and Mrs. C. Tucker, of Palmerston iforth, similar awards. In the large white class Mr. H. Ashworth (Palmerston North) was the only exhibitor, and carried off all the prizes. The Central Development Farm and Mr. N. P. Neilsen shared tne honours in the large black class. Messrs. J. B. Young (Kauwhata), N. P. Neilsen- (Tiakitahuna), and H. E. Missen (Palmerston North) each secured firsts in the special class and seconds went to Messrs. F. A. Lewis (Kairanga) and N..P. Neilsen. The winners of the championships in the pig section are:—Berkshires: Boar, Central Development Farm's Come to Stay VII., champion; J. A. Russell's Meadow Radiant, reserve; s,o~, Russell's Blithewood's Jennie, champion; Central Development Farm's Weraroa Maori Queen, reserve. Tamworth: Boar, Russell's Rydalmere Gold Dust, champion; N. P. Neilsen's Springdale Golden Gem, reserve; sow, Russell's Orara Grace, champion; Neilsen's Springdale Ella, reserve. Large white: H. Ash worth's Liicerndale, Palmerston North. RING EVENTS. There W6re big fields of competitors .in the ring events, of which the maiden jumpers and the open wire jump were got off to-day. In maiden jumperß, ! which was for the Ashlea Cup, Mrs. G. D. Riddiford's (Marton) Rocket was first, and Miss G. Twist's (Napier) Chum second, out of a field of nineteen. The open wire jump also attracted nineteen competitors, Mr. J. J. Bryce's (Kiwitea) Twilight being first and Mrs. V. Sutton's (Feilding) Kimeroa second. UHEEP SECTIONS. In the fleece wool classes, Sir James Wilson (Bulls) secured two fir's and two seconds. Others to secure firsts were Messrs. N. P. Neilsen (Tiakitahuna), H. W. Lee and Son (Masterton), J. Stringfellow (Greytown), J. A. Mitchell (Longburn),' H. M'Ewen, (Tiakitahuna). Those who secured second awards were: Messrs. J, A. Mitchell, H. W. Lee and Sons, J. Stringfellow, W. Perry and Sons (Masterton), H. M'Ewen (Tiakitahuna). The judge, Mr. J. 1; Frame, of Wellington, said that the hogget wool was particularly flue, and he had experienced great difficulty in assessing the prize-winners. Some of the fleeces showed a slight tenderness on the back, but this was due to the weather. The general range of it had a good length of staple and plenty of body. It was above the average, and quite the best that had, bpen exhibited at the- Show. The winning fleece, produced by Mr. N. P. Neilsen, had a very fine quality indeed. The Corriedale class, although small; was a commendable showing. Mr. J. Stringfellow had put in a very dne fleece. The brightest and best display, however, was the, ewe wool, and' the winning floece, entered by Mr. J. A. Mitchell, was full of good character and light and bright. . ■

The special prize for the Hill Cup was annexed by Perry and Sons, who entered the best ewe wool in the Show. This: fleece did not command first prize on acco-nt of its weight, but for the Hill Cup weight was not taken into account. The great bulk of the wool was almost free from hair.