ENTRIES IMPROVE IN QUALITY AT GISBORNE’S SHOW

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23207, 20 March 1950, Page 7

ENTRIES IMPROVE IN QUALITY AT GISBORNE’S SHOW

COMMENTS BY JUDGES

While an improved standard in the entries at the Show on Saturday was remarked upon by judges who previously had adjudicated at an autumn fixture in Gisborne, others, called upon to judge in Gisborne for the first time, expressed surprise at the quality paraded before them.

Good Entries In Chiller Section “The entry of fat cattle was the best since the inauguration of the conipetition, there being 52 entries in the chiller section alone,” said the judge, Mr. F. H. Harden, Wairoa. “The competition consisted of a very representative entry of all breeds, which is a characteristic of Gisborne cattle. In other districts chiller classes generally comprise 75 per cent or more of Aberdeen Angus cattle, but all breeds—-Shorthorn, Hereford, Aberdeen Angus—were represented here on an equal basis,” Mr. Harden continued. “The 10 placed cattle in the chiller competition, in my opinion, were typy chillers and a good entry should go forward to represent the district in competition with other North Island centres at Smithfield.” In the fat cattle classes there was a very big entry of excellent cattle, he continued. Great difficulty was experienced in separating individual pens. However, he said his task was made all the lighter with the assistance of an efficient band of stewards.

"The champion bullock was a beauti ful animal and, in my opinion, out standing,” Mr. Harden concluded.

Children Complimented

“Of course, you could not expect entries as strong as those received for a spring Show. In some classes file entries 'were disappointingly small,” said Mr. G. J. Murray, judge of the Friesians.

There were some nice animals paraded, he added, and it was evident that the children had taken a lot of trouble with calves they were exhibiting. Quality Ayrshire Animals

“I was very surprised with the competition offering in a district such as this, which is not regarded as a dairying district,” said Mr. J. G. Donald, judge of the Ayrshire cattle classes. “The cattle, in my opinion, are a great credit to the exhibitors, and many of the animals certainly would be in (he money at leading metropolitan shows. The bull calf was the outstanding animal in the section.” Standard Better In Sheep Classes

“Speaking generally, the standard was very good and from the point of view of quality and numbers it was a great improvement on last year,” said the judge of the fat sheep, Mr. N. G. Vickers, Tokomaru Bay.

However, in all sheep classes he found individual sheep that were 100 well done and would bo wasteful from the butcher’s point of view. In many pens there was the individual sheep in that category, and in odd cases all three were too heavy. In the class for fat lambs suitable for export the first three placed pens contained outstanding lambs. The Romneys in the class were good specimens of their breed, but it was difficult to consider them against the ’Downs as the more suitable for the export trade. The Romneys seemed to be out of their class.

There were only six pens in the class for 2-th wethers, he said, but their standard was uniformly high. Hack and .lumping Form

The judge of the hack and competitions sections, Mr, T. Sherratt, was not impressed by the general standard of performances. While allowing for the fact that the autumn was not the best season for. saddle horses and jumpers to show their capabilities, he was nevertheless disappointed at not seeing better classes.

The hack classes were generally mediocre, he thought, and only one or two entrants, notably the winner of the ladies’ hack class, had caught his eye as likely to develop into first-class performers. The Indy’s hack winner, a young horse, seemed likely to make a name for himself in a year or two.

jumping form betrayed lack of thorough preparation, he said. There were horses in the hunters’ jump and the open jump which had done extremely well at Shows in Gisborne and elsewhere, and he had expected to see clean and stylish performances from this group. Instead, he had seen faltering, screwing and a number of other faults in the work in both the major jumping events. Some of the efforts of less well-known horses had been rather shocking, Mr. Sherratt added. Maori Handiwork Though several flax kits were exceptionally good, the entries in the Maori handiwork classes were very disappointing in numbers, remarked the judge, Mrs. Hawau. Comments on Produce Though few in number, the maize cob entries were excellent in quality, said the judge, Mr. H. de O. Chamberlain. The first prize-winner in the Marigold cob class was almost perfect, he added. The winning entry in the bean section was exceptionally well displayed. Though small, the entries were typical of their variety. Hay classes showed an improvement on the quality of the past three years’ exhibits, all entries being well saved and of excellent quality. Unfortunately, weather conditions had left their mark on the pastures, causing rust and opening up the sward, Mr. Chamberlain said. The resulting entries in the pasture classes were not indicative of Gisborne standards, but under the circumstances were worthy of showing. The maize stalk entries were hardly forward enough to show their true characteristics, but the plants exhibited showed large cobs of promising quality. Mixed varieties made the pea classes difficult to judge, but the first prizewinner was outstanding in type and condition. Small Seeds Lines Very Even

Commenting on the small seeds section, the judge. Mr. H. deO. Chamberlain. said the lines were all very even, well saved and of good colour, making judging an extremely difficult task. Flower Entries Disappoint

The number of entries had been disappointing. especially in the court section, said the judge of flowers, Mrs. B. H. Dodge. The two entries in this section were very good, however. She considered that in a district with such possibilities for flower-growing the number of entries could be greatly increased throughout the flower classes.

The children's section, Mrs. Dodge commented, was very well done. Better Quality Cooking

The standard of entries in the cooking section was higher, in her opinion, than it had been in the past three years, said the judge, Mrs. L. C. Parker. The decorated cake classes and small cakes were outstanding in quality and appearance. Tigs of Excellent Quality In view of the New Zealand Pig Council's recommendation to breeders that the porker industry be encouraged to increase the export to Britain, the quality of an excellent entry in this section was gratifying, said the judge, Mr. G. Brown. The porkers were, in fact, the best that he had seen at any Show here. The _ baconers generally were on a par with other shows, with the placegetters deserving of special mention. The entries in this section were also good. Well-Supported I’ony Section. “A good sound section, with most of the classes full of merit, and plenty of entries in all but a few,” commented Mr. A. Beyer, Wairoa, who judged the Pony and juvenile riding section. He added that the general standard of competition was high, and that Gisborie had a lot of good young riders

coming forward. Place-getters in the riding classes wore all good, and although most of these classes had

"tails,” the top cut of the entrants was generally praiseworthy. Mr. Dever considered the school-pony class particularly interesting, and remarked that he had had trouble in separating the first half-dozen from Ihc field, and in finally awarding the places. Ttie winner was perfectly mannered, and built low for his job.” The latter characteristic stood to him in a line decision, for a number of the mounts showed equally good manners. The turn-out of competitors generally in the section was highly creditable, Mr, Dever thought. Creditable Dog Entries.

The standard of the entries and the quality of the exhibits in the dog section left a favourable impression on the judge, Mr. D. Wilson, Hamilton. The entries constituted the greatest number so far at an Autumn Show in Gisborne.

Mr. Wilson said that taking the exhibits generally, they were of a high standard, with some of the main prizewinners being splendidly shown. He had been impressed, too, he said, with the general management of the section.

Mr. Wilson considered the best dog in the show, Mr. T. Jobcy’s To Reinga Mitty Max, was a fine specimen. The same could be said of the runner-up, a bull dog from Australia, which was exhibited by Mr. R. E. Bacon. This animal, he thought, possessed a great future.

The best opposite sex, Mr. A. L. Campbell's pointer, Aymarquise, also impressed the judge. "Generally speaking, the exhibits were of a high standard, particularly the pointers and labradors, lie said. Vegetables of Good Qualify

A great improvement in the number of entries, and outstanding quality, despite the dry season, were features of the vegetable section, said the judge, Mr. J. D, Kennedy.

It appeared, however, that some exhibitors did not realise the importance of careful preparation of vegetables for display. Some entries had been marred by minor details suen as dirty or harvested-damaged vegetables. This was particularly noticeable in the kumera and potato classes, though the quality of the kumeras was very good and afforded interesting competition. The prize-winning rhubarb entry was outstanding, Air. Kennedy said, and flic walnuts, too, were very good. The citrus fruit section was not typical of the district’s capabilities, but considering the time of the year a better display had not been expected. High Standard

The national dancing was of it high standard and compared favourably with any she had seen in other districts, commented the judge. Miss Valma Hutchins. She was very pleased with the large number of entries and flic good performances given by all competitors.