NORTH OTAGO A. AND P. SHOW

Evening Star, Issue 22193, 22 November 1935, Page 13

NORTH OTAGO A. AND P. SHOW

A FINE DISPLAY LARGE INCREASE IN ENTRIES The annual summer show of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association commenced yesterday in fin© weather conditions. The attendance was good for the first day, and much interest was taken in the various breeds of • cattle exhibited, while side-shows also made an added attraction. The show from a farmer’s point of view was highly > gratifying, there ■being a substantial increase of entries in practically all the stock sections, with the exception of dairy- cattle, which, although slightly down on last year’s figures, were quite good nevertheless. Entries were received from all parts of the South Island, and here and there one could distinguish well-known ■breeders in characteristic _ attitudes eulogising the worth of their st.ock to interested listeners. Everywhere were to be seen farmers and townsfolk of almost every walk of life fraternising ' and renewing acquaintances in some cases, and in others demonstrating to .the world at large the outstanding lvalue of their wares. ■ The scene was [typical of all agricultural shows, and is always an occasion eagerly looked forward to by the farmer who endeavours to bring distinction to himself through the quality and breed of his stock. Seventy-two years ago, on November 12, 1863, the first agricultural and pastoral show was held at Oamaru. Prom that year till 1876 the association was known as the Northern A. and P. Association, but on May 4, 1878, the name was changed to ithe North Otago A. and P. Association. From its inception it has never missed a year. - Although the Canterbury A. and P. Association was formed in 1863, the first show was not held till April 22, _ 1865; therefore, North Otago’s claim to be the oldest show in the Dominion is substantially correct. UP-TO-DATE GROUNDS. The show of 1,863 was held on the esplanade on the site now occupied by .wool and grain stores in Harbour street?. Later the association acquired a ground of its own on the South Hill between Aran and Tweed streets, where many fine shows were held. About a quarter of a,century ago those grounds were cut up into sections and sold, and the area is now one of the most closely built in the town. The present fine showgrounds, which, also provide the town with the best of sports grounds, were purchased by the association, members helping materially by taking non-interest-bearing debentures, which, were paid off steadily year by year. Improvements to • the ' grounds, buildings, and stock pens have been added, until the Oamaru Showgrounds are as well equipped as those of most of the bigger centres. The oval is at present in splendid order, partly due to the efforts of the Rugby Union, the turf having been renewed about three years ago, and providing a good sward of grass. SOME FINE HACKS. A feature, of judges’ day was the meeting of champions in the hack and

hunter classes. That champion of champions, Miss Betty Harper’s great horse, Captain Murphy, representing Canterbury, particularly South Canterbury, again carried all before it in the hack contest. Captain Murphy has won 126 firsts in his career, with over 40 championships, and yesterday he again secured two firsts. Mrs T. D. DalziePs Chrysler (Otago) was not represented this year, consequently this section did not attract the same attention as last year, when' these two champions, turned out to perfection, gave the judge one of the hardest jobs of his career. The light horses, hacks, and hunters generally were, however, quite good, and the judge (Mr John Cameron,- of Glenore) said that, although numerically small compared with other shows, nevertheless some fine horses were paraded. POLICY OF THE PIONEERS. The realisation of the value of growing nothing but the best was manifest in the breeders in the early days, and the results of the sound policy arc still evident to-day. Among the most prominent of them were the studs of Messrs Holmes, Campbell, M'Master, and William Craig These breeders introduced blood that laid the foundation for North Otago’s enviable_ reputation as a district notable for high-class stock. In those days of the big stations, wool-growing was the main farming activity, the principal breeds being Cheviot, merino, and Leicester. Then came the agricultural era, with large areas of wheat, and as a result of the ploughing of these lands it was necessary to have suitable horses, and so was caused the introduction of the Clydesdale. At one time big rings of these fine animals were the order at the North Otago Show, the district gaining the reputation _ of producing the best draught horses in the colony; but with the development of the internal combustion engine for heavy traction, the entries in the draught horse section were greatly reduced, although the standard remained very high. INCREASE IN DRAUGHT HORSES. Up till last year the entries in this class showed a diminution, but the entries received for this year’s show exceeded the expectations of the most sanguine, the very gratifying increase constituting almost a record for draughts. Certain it is that not for many years have such encouraging results been obtained, and the increase in numbers goes to show that the horse is still an important factor on the farm, despite the introduction of mechanical appliances. The development of the frozen meal industry led to the development of the dual-purpose sheep and also the introduction of breeds suitable for fat lamb production, so that the Cheviot and merino have become practically nonexistent here, while new breeds have been introduced, such as the Corriedale, of which there are many breeders at the present time in the district. The Southdowns hold a more prominent place than formerly, largely as a result of the success of Mr H. J. Andrew’s stud at Maheuo. In fact, it is worthy of mention that this breeder’s stud is well known throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. Other classes prominent to-day arc the English Leicester and Border Leicester breeds, while the Romney Marsh, until recent years non-existent in this district, is also showing in increasing numbers, the

entries received this year being decidedly better than for the previous one. In the cattle section Ayrshires have always been prominent, but once the backbone of these classes, have considerably 7 declined in popularity. Today the main classes are Ayrshires, Jerseys, and Friesians. Among the names prominent for some years past and still conspicuous in to-day’s catalogue are Messrs Frew and Burdett and the Gillies brothers, in the Ayrshire sections j Miss M. Wylie and Mr P. W. Shacklock, in the Jersey sections; and Messrs J. Temple, A. H. Copland, and J. J. Stott, in the Friesians. In the latter section Mr J. J. Stott secured the champion cow with Willowfield Alcartra Eye, and Mr J. Temple the reserve champion cow with Mona of Island Cliff. Mr J. J. Stott also had the champion bull in Balruddery Netherland Bruce, the reserve champion bull going to Mr Stott’s Rosevale King Sylvia Regina. In the Ayrshire class Messrs Frew and Burdett secured the champion cow and reserve champion bull with Frewvale Lady Fay and Ivanhoe Ronald respectively, Messrs Gillies Bros: securing the reserve champion cow and champion bull with Townhead Vera and Townhead Scot 11. respectively. In the horse sections there was practically no competition in thoroughbreds, and trotters, while the hack classes were only moderately patronised, but a correspondingly good increase was shown in the light harness horses. Ponies provided perhaps the strongest equine competition, the quality being excellent. Light horses have always been a feature of North Otago shows, and the association also benefits from the proximity of the Waimate District Hunt, which ensures good jumping competitions. These events are most popular with the townspeople, and are always watched with interest. The arrangements for the show were in the capable hands of the secretary (Mr A. W. Woodward), the assistant secretary (Mr W. Edward*' and a band of energetic stewards, and the capable manner in which they carried out their duties was reflected in the promptness with which the various events were run off, there being no undue delay in any of the sections. , In sheep the championship award lor the Border Leicester ram went to the noted Windsor breeder, T. S. Little, with a typical animal, in the 18-30 months’ class, the reserve award being taken by A. W. Barnett (Waimate). E. Stokes (Mprven) gamed the first award for a ram under 18 months, and secured the champion and reserve champion for ewes. W. A. C. Allen (St. Andrews) took three firsts and a second with his ewes. The estate of I® Ruddenklau (Waimate), seven awards, T. S. Little six (three firsts), Mrs G. J. - Thompson, three awards, were other prominent exhibitors. The well-known Maheno breeder, H. J. Andrew, took all the awards and championships in the English Leicester and Southdowns. Similar success was met by the estate of C. R. Smith (Bushey, in the Romney Marsh class, H. C. B. Withell (Ealing) in the Ryeland class, and D. J. Ross (Kartigi) m the Corriedale class. In pigs, E. Presland (Enfield) secured first for the boar and sow with large whites, Kennedy Bros. (Morven) monopolising the honours in the Berkshire and Tnmworth sections.

T. Paterson (Waiareka) took first honours in general cattle from failcompetition. Simpson Bros. (Tokarahi) made a clean sweep in Shorthorns, taking the championship with the bull Thougsleigh Master H. D. J. Ross annexed tno championships and first in all classes in the dairy Shorthorn class, meeting competition from J. R. Mitchell (Weston), who secured second

places. Much stronger entries were received for Ayrshires, Jerseys, and Friesians. In the first-named breed the ■Hampden breeders, Gillies Bros., shared the honours with Frew and Burdett, of Alma. The judge awarded the ribbon to Gillies Bros.’ bull' Townhead Scott 11., the reserve champion going to Frew and Burdett’s Iva-nhoe Ronald. Championship honours were reversed in the females, the championship being awarded to a cow of ’the Alma stud, and the reserve to the Hampden stud. Gillies Bros, secured eight firsts, eight seconds, and one third, and Frew and Burdett four firsts, two seconds, and four thirds. The champion Jersey cow was Mrs S. Easton’s Wharakud 'Tulip (Oamaru),- with P. W. Shacklock’s Glen Royaf Butterfly (Awamoa) the reserve.

The chaimpion bull was George Dellow’s Otaio Merry General, and the reserve was P. W. Shaddock's Glen Royal Baronet. Miss L. M. Winter, with Winterbrook Stud animals, and Miss M. Wylie, with Rainsbrook animals, were also very successful exhibitors in Friesians. Honours were shared between J. J. Stott (Maruakoa) and J. Temple (Island Cliff). Stott took the champion ribbon for females with the cow Willowfield Alcartea the reserve going to Temple’s Mona, of Island Cliff. Stott took both the ribbons for bulls with Ballruddery Netherland Bruce and Rosevale King Sylvia Regina respectively. Most of the awards went to Stott and Temple, but R. Dick and A. H. Copland, of Weston, were successful with representatives of their herds.

In the light horse classes Miss K. Woods’s Kenwood (Beaumont) secured the ribbon for the champion hade, the reserve being allotted to Miss Betty Harpei‘’s Captain Murphy (Timaru). Miss B. Austin’s Rangi (Maruakoa) gained first in hacks of 11 stone. Miss J. Orbell’s Gambler (Timaru) was first in the mounted rifles horse and lady’s hack classes, and Miss Betty Harper’s Captain Murphy took first place for the best walking hack in the competitions, Miss J. Edgar Jones’s Kohinoor was the best jumping light-weight hunter, with Miss J. Orbell’s Gambler second, and R. J. Waldie’s Bandana third. In the novice jumping class G. Ruddenklau’s Doctor was first, and E. Cooney’s Dandy second. In the pony jump C. H. Williamson’s Chum and Lady Moko took first and second awards respectively. The best cob was ridden by Miss V. M. H. Nichols (Knriheka), with J. G. Kennedy’s Billie second and R. W. Trotter'S" Eve third. Light harness horses wore also well represented, the champion ribbon going to E. H. Aubrey’s Clyso, with the reserve to Miss V. M. H. Nichols’s Carnival. T. W. Kifcto took two firstsand two seconds against opposition in this section.

The classes for ponies drew very large fields, A. A. Webster gaining the championship and reserve, with the other reserve to Miss E. Bulleid’s Trixie. Twenty-six dogs were entered for the driving and yarding competition in the first day dog trials, awards being:— W. R. Macaulay’s Tweed Junior, 44 points, 1; R. W. Trotter’s Lass of Arran, 42 points, 2; G. H. Smith’s Chance Junior, 41-J points, 3; M. E. Jenkins’s Queen, 33 points, 4; M. A. Matheson’s Scott, 37L points, 5; John Anderson’s Wee Donald, 37 points, 6.