The Hastings Standard Published Daily. TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1896. POINTS' PRIZES.

Hastings Standard, Issue 10, 7 May 1896, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Daily.

TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1896. POINTS' PRIZES.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

The Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association has hit upon a business-like scheme to induce larger entries being made at its annual show, and from the point of view of exhibitors the scheme will, we think, be cordially received and well supported. The Wellington Association proposes to distribute £2OO in points' prizes in addition to the usual class prizes. The circular issued by the Secretary, Mr G. 11. Scales, to breeders and exhibitors sets forth that £-50 will be allotted to Lincoln*, and £oo to Romney Marsh sheep, and that sum will be awarded to the exhibitor who scores the most points in eight classes of exhibits of each breed of sheep. For Ayrshire cattle of twelve classes the winner of most points will secure a special prize of £SO, and a similar sum is allotted to the beef breeds and fat cattle. The beef breeds include Shorthorn, Hereford, and Tolled Angus, and the fat cattle may be of any breed. For the points' prize there is a special nomination fee of £5, payable as follows: —£2 on 21st May, 1896, when nomination must be made to the Secretary ; £2 on Ist August, 1896, and £1 on 15th October, 1896, when particulars of entries must be furnished and the ordinary entry fees paid. The points will be counted as six for a first prize, and so on, and the " very highly commended," " highly commended," and " commended " will rank for points. The scheme has much to commend it, and although the entrance-fee appears large, we do not believe the Society will make any profit out of it. The cattle and sheep breeds chosen for special distinction are all in favour of North Island exhibitors, and the substantial nature of the prize money should attract large entries. These points' prizes will give to the Wellington Show a metropolitan character, and will, we are sure, be copied by others of our larger societies.