POULTRY EXHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3627, 31 August 1872, Page 3

POULTRY EXHIBITION.

Patron, his Honor the Superintendent; President, G. Gould; Vice-Presidents, T. H. Potts, A. E. Hill, H. Sawtell (Mayor of Christchurch), W. H. Wynn Williams, and the Hon. W. Reeves; Hon. Secretary pro tem., N. Gordon Glassford; Hon. Treasurer, G. A. Reade; Committee, A. Saunders, N. G. Glassford, T. Williams, T. Stapleton, J. H. Wood, E. Rees, E. Strange, W. Calvert, J. Todd, J. 6. Williams, W. James, and W. Pirie.

In comparing the characteristics of our domestic birds in years gone by with those of the present day, it must be conceded that the Poultry Association has accomplished much in a comparatively .short space of time. Koch exhibition has shown .wme improvement bn the previous . one, and that held this season will stand forth in marked distinction to its predecessors on that account. Last year strong remarks had to be made upon the insufficient importation of new blood during the preceding year, but poultry fanciers have done much since then to remove the reproach, and thus second the efforts of the association in the right direction. It must be obvious to all that unsatisfactory results must ever accrue unless present stock is periodically added to by relays from other parts of the world, and it is beyond doubt that the association must be considered to have achieved the greatest success in the year which sees the largest number of birds introduced from elsewhere. The process of breeding in will soon destroy the good qualities of qur poultry and by that is meant a decreased profit sitber for produce or the table. The association ji» therefore to be congratulated on the large accession of new blood which has been made during the past year—larger than in any. previous one —and no doubt it will have a veiy salutary effect in encouraging them in their future efforts. It k also more gratifying to place the improvement on record because it is perceptible to a great extent in the heavier breeds of poultry, which are the most useful to agriculturists. Brahmas, Cochins, and Dorkings have each received additions during the past year, and these, it is unnecessary to say, are the best friends to the farmer in the matter of poultry. But whilst these breeid# have been attended to, the ‘‘ fanciers’ ” department has not been neglected,—os instanced by the Game and French classes. It must not be considered, however, that a rest con be taken in the matter of imports, for not only .will those breeds recently reinforced require to be regularly supplemented, but there are also other most useful birds—notably the Spanish and Hamburghs—which very much require an infusion of new blood. It is to be hoped therefore that efforts at improvement in our poultry by those who cani afford to import will not bo relaxed, but that bach y«6» will witness some accessions to such useful and necessary birds. The exhibition opened yesterday was the fifth since the establishment of the associatidn, and besides an improvement in the general character of the exhibits,.it]possessed tpo advantage of being held, in a bettor place than either the Town hall or Musjo Hall of previous years. , The new.,Oddfellows’ hall in Lichfield street is exceedingly well adapted to such exhibitions, and consequently gave; a pleasanter'tone to the proceedings than |qf yore. The poultry exhibits were arranged lin two double rows of .the very excellent pehs belonging to the association down the centra of the hall, with a single row running round the walls. The pigeons were placed bn the top of one row of pens, whilst the bad the commodious, stage entirely, to themselves. It Would 'have been bettor, however, if the pigeons had. been shown to greater advantage. We shall now proceed to offer a few remarks on the number and quality of the exhibits at yesterday’s exhibition. Taking the Game class os a whole, we find them fully up to the average of the past two or three shows; but although very good birds, they are far from perfect. We allude more particularly to the colour of the black*rede, which is not quite what we should like to see, ■ 'especially in the hens. We do,not see that rich partridge brown which is so neoeisaty, and is found in prize hfcns at the best English exhibitions. With regard to closeness of feather, very little fault is to ho found, indeed we think that to attain this quality breeders have in a great measure sacrificed colour. Those who are breeders of this class of poultry will readily understand the difficulty of breeding up to a first-class standard, for want of fresh blood, and with that view we should like to see some enterprising'fancier introducing new blood from some of the best strains in England. T With such blood wo do not hesitate to say that in a few years, with careful breeding, there would be birds shown quite up to' the English exhibition standard. Proceeding now to discuss more particularly the qualities of the different, exhibits, and taking them as they appear in the catalogue, we come to the Block-red pens, containing a cock and hen. The first prize was awarded to Mr C. James for a very good pen of birds, and Mr D. M'Calmon secured the second prize ; the third prize fell to birds exhibited by Mr R. Kerr, but in our opinion it should have been awarded to the birds in No. 3 pen, owned by Mr M'Calmon. In No. 8 pen the cock exhibited by Mr Clephano was of a very good colour, but a slight tinge of white in the ear no doubt had great weight with the judges. No. 5 pen, shown by Mr A. Fraser, was disqualified, as in the opinion of the judges the legs of the birds did not match. In this instance we must take exception to the judges’ ruling, ns after careful examination we could not find any reasons to bear out their decision. In the rest of the pens in this clasp : none of the birds call for any special comment. Under the head of Brown-reds we find three entries, and the first and second prizes again fell to the lot of A. Fraser; for some very good birds—the cock in the first prize pen more particularly. The other pen was 1 very moderate, and not thought worthy of a

third prize; it was, however, highly commended. In class 3 (Duekwings) there is a falling off from lastyear, as only one pen is exhibited, as agoinet three at the last show. The pen now exThbitedby Mr Glassford calls for no particular ■ notice, and a third prize only was awarded. . . In any other variety there were six entries, comprising three pens of Black, entered by Mr G. Donaldson j two pens Red pile, exhibited by Mr A. Wilson; and one pen of Blue pile by Mr A. Banks. No first prize was awarded, but Mr Dohaldson secured two second prizes, and his other pen was highly commended j the third prize fell to Mr Banks. Theßed piles were very poor, especially those in No. 14' pen, both birds showing a great deal of white in the ear. In class S we come to single cocks, Block-red. In pen No. 19, wo recognised the cock shown by Mr Fraser, with a hen, last year, and which then secured first honours. ' Again, in this class, it has taken first prize. _ No second prize was awarded, and the third was taken by a bird exhibited by Mr J. King, who also had a good-coloured bird in pen No. 83, but being duok-footed of course it stood no chance. A very nice bird, which Was highly commended by the judges, was entered in this class, for exhibition only, by Mr Hossack. In class 6, Brown and Ginger-reds, a fine bird shown by Mr J. Marshall: took first prize; indeed we think he was one. of the best game cocks in the show. The second prize fell to Mr Hossack, with a young bird of moderate feather; and Mr J. King obtained the third prize. The only other fcirii in this class was shown by Mr A. Fraser, who was not so strong as last year, when, if we remember rightly, he secured all the prizes. In Single Duokwing cocks, Mr W. G. Walker took the first prize with a yery nice young bird, and the bird shown him very successfully for the last three' years, and now exhibited by Mr Levers edge, secured eecond honours. The bird in No. S 3 pen was a very poor specimen of the breed, afcd in bad health, and although it was highly commended by the judges, we preferred the bird exhibited by Mr Hepworth, in pen No. 80. ~ln class 9, any other variety, a white bird, shown by Mr T. Williams, of very good colour but faulty legs, secured first prize ; and a black bird, shown by MrG. Donaldson, secured the second prize. No other prize was awarded, as the only other bird, a black one, was decidedly bad in the ear. We now proceed to the hens, and in class fi we find Black, Brown, and Ginger-reds all classed together. In pen No. *7,Mr,C. James secured thefirstandonly prize in this class with ablaekred hen; very fair in every respect biitthe eye, which was decidedly that of a brown-red. Another hen, which we understand is the mother of the first-prize taker, was highly commended. In pen No. 42, the hen shown was quite out of place with a rose comb. ,In this class, some brown-red hens were shown for exhibition only, but they possessed no special merit. Nose of the other entries need be particularly mentioned. In Duckwing hens, Mr G. A. Reade deservedly took first prize with the imported hen shown by him last year in the first-prize pen. The other hen shown by Mr Hoesack was highly commended. In hens of any other variety, a fine black hen, shown by Mr T. Williams, secured first honours, and the other two entries—a darkgrey hen by Mr Hoasaok and* black hen by Mr Donaldson—were both,highly commended. In thus reviewing these classes we think that the judges have, with the one exception mentioned above, discharged their oneroUs duties in a very satisfactory manner. In the bantam classes there were about the same number of entries as last year, and in the game bantams Mr G. Gould took first prize with about the finest pen of birds we have seen for several years. His third prize pen was very good, and we think it was quite as worthy of a second prize as Mr Caldwell’s pen. In pen No. I*9 Mr Glassford entered two very nice hens for sxhibition only, fend they were. highly commended. Mr Biggs secured a second prize with a pair of duckwings, and Mr Glaesford had another pen highly commended. In the class for any other variety two pens of black shown by Mr J. B. Williams,-and a pen of black shown by R. Kerr, were disqualified as being over the weight required •by the judges’ standard. There was « numerous show of Dorkings, but the general quality of the exhibits was not so good as last year. It is evident that some fresh blood is needed, the effect ef too much breeding in being apparent to a very considerable extent. In the claes coloured Dorkings, there were in all seven entries, and the birds to which the first prizes were awarded were very passable, but certainly not superior specimens of breeding. A really excellent pair of white Dorkings - were shown By Mr A. Baunders, and wsre so good as to merit a first prize, although there , was nothing exhibited against them. The eook bird wsa especially admired. There wore six exhibits of Spanish Dorkings, but the lot were only of an ordinary kind. Exhibit 6* (Mr W. Willis’), to which the first prize was awarded, was decidedly the best ia the collection, but the hen in pen No. 60 (Mr D. Lewis’), to which, jho second prize was given, was the best female bird exhibited in this class, and would have paired splendidly with the bird in pen No. 63. The white Cochins exhibited by John Baylee and T. Williams-were very, good birds—superior to anything exhibited in the same dan, «nd the baff Cochin cock belonging to J£r Thom** Stepleton was awplly fins bird. The fame oau bo said of the exhibits-in the Brahma ehMi«S- Generally speaking-, the exhibits were good «s well OB numerous. The dark Brahma hon exhibited by Hr G. Gould was a splendid specimen, and some of Messrs Wood Brothers’ exhibits were, also very gobdl In 'Golden-pencilled Hambirghs, a beautiful pen was exhibited by Mr Av Saunders. In the gilver-pencilled chow, Mr Q. Donaldson was awarded first prize. W« should have liked to see tbs -hen in Mr 'J. HhfrperV pen a shade lighter. There w« a good muster of goldenmangled Hambtughs. The best exhibit-in this class was Mr A. Noble’s,, to which t)ie first prize «0t vfery deservedly awarded. There , was no very great difference, however, between ‘ the 'exhibits of Mr' Noble find Mr J. M‘F»rInne, but it was sufficient to justify the ginhg of the .first prize to the former. There were only three entries in the silver-span-gled class, and no first prize' was given. Mr Badden was awarded 2nd, and Mr G. B. Simpson 3rd prize' in this class-. In the Golden Polish class there was only only one exhibit—that showh by Mr J.Fisher. Theee birds were so fine that the judge* agreed to award them a first prize, although there was no competition. In the Silver Polish class there were three entriesybut there was nothing in any of them calling for special remark. Hero again tt is evident that the portation of new blood is very much required'Two pens of the I* FlJche bree-d, were exhibited, we believe, the only birds o£ the kind in the province. These were of a very excellent kind. Houdans, of three exhibits, Mr Saunders’ would have been decidedly the best had it not been thot'the cock bird Was deformed in the hack. The female bird in this pen was the best of its kind that was-ex-hibited. There was only one pen of Creve Occurs—that belonging to Wood Brothers, whose birds were considered to be of vary good quality, Mr H. Bawtell was the qilly exhibitor in the Barndoor class, and the birds in this pen were a cross between the Brahma and Cochin. Tt* prize offered by Mr SaWtell for the best pen in this class was carried off by himself. Of Geese, there were only three exhibits. Those shown by Mr E. J. Dudley (gray lag) were remarkably fine, and the Amoy geese shown by Mr E. Rees were quite a novelty, and were highly commended by the judges. The exhibition of ducks was not up to that of lost year, with the exception-of pen 134 (Mr Q. Gould’s Aylesburys.) These should have been awarded the private _ prize presented for the best pair of ducks in the show, instead of exhibit No. 160- (Mr T. WilltamiV which were exhibited us common: ducks. There were no exhibits of turkeys.

The show of pigeons was not nearly so-good as it was last year, nor was there anything, like the same amount of competition. In the Carrier class there was only .one exhibit, belonging to Mr T. Williams. These were disqualified by the judges on account of their not matching ; the cook bird was highly commended. Mr Williams’ tumblers were the best' shewn; they were much shorter-faced than the others, and should have obtained the prize. The cock bird in the next pen (No.

161) was ■very fine, hut the hen was not sufficiently splashed, Mr Williams’ pouters wore poor Specimens, And had very little marking on the wings. The jacobins, as a whole, were oohmiiuaablo, but hardly good enough to oull for special observation. Mr G. Fletcher’s fantails were splendid birds, and the judges had very little difficulty in awarding them the first prize. The second prize birds (Mr Baunders’) were much younger; they were poor specimens, but they will show to much better advantage after next moulting. In baldpates there were four entries. The first prize birds wore very good and cleanly cut. Wo cannot say much about the nuns; but the two exhibits of owls were so deserving that the judges awarded a first and second prize. The one entry of Antwerps and the single entry of trumpeters call for no special allusion.

In canaries the competition was not so keen as last year, but for colour the birds were decidedly superior. Mr Pirie’s clear yellow bird, which obtained the first prize was imported from England last year. It was by far the longest bird, arid excelled the other ten exhibits in every way. Mr Stapleton’s exhibit, No. 188, should have been awarded second prize, being o£a much better colour than the exhibit - to which the second prize was given. In clear buffs there were three entries, and Mr Stapleton carried away the first prize. His bird, however was not so fine as fanciers would desire, being, if anything too thick about the breast. In the yellow variegated class, the first prize bird wasvery nicely splashed. Exhibit No. 200, Mr Stapleton’s, should have got second prize. Exhibits 201 and 202, to which second and third prizes were given, would have been more properly entered in the buff variegated class. In this class there were three entries, and we hardly thought a first prize was necessary, as the splashing of all three exhibits was very indifferent. The following were the judges ; Game and Bantams —Messrs James Todd and E. Rees. Brahmas and Cochins—Messrs A. Saunders and A. Fraser.

Hamburghs—Mr W. Sneddcn. Spanish,“ Dorkings, Polish, and French Fowls —Messrs W. Calvert and T. Stapleton. Barndoors, Geese, and Ducks—Mr J. Ladbrook.

Pigeons—Messrs J. S. Williams and A Green.

Canaries—Messrs T. Williams and John Dunlop. , The following is the prize list;— POULTRY. Class I—Game. (Black-breasted red.) Prize presented by Mr M'Callum. C. James, Ist prize; D. M'Calraon, 2nd; R. Kerr, 3rd; A. Fraser, disqualified, legs not matching. Claes 2—Game. (Brown-breasted and ginger red.) Prize presented by Messrs Coates and Co, A. Fraser (brown red), Ist prize; A. Fraser (brown red), 2nd; JohnCradock (ginger red), highly commended. Class 3—Game. (Duckwings.) K. Gordon Glassford, 2nd prize. Class 4—Game. (Any other variety.) G. Donaldson (black), 2nd prize; A. Banks (blue pile), 3rd ; G. Donaldson (black), highly commended. Ko first prize.

Class 6—Game. (Single cocks, black-breasted red). J. Marshall, Ist prize; J. King, 3rd ; J. King, highly commended. (For exhibition only.) J. Hossack, highly commended. Class 6—Game.

(Single cocks, brown-breasted and ginger red.) J. Marshall (brown red), Ist prize; J. Hosaack (brown red), 2nd; 3. King (brown red), 3rd; A. Fraser (ginger red), highly commended.

Class 7—Game. (Single cocks, duckwings.) W. G. Walker, let prize ; E. S. Leversedge, 2nd; T. Williams, highly commended.

Class B—Game. (Single cocks, any other variety.) T. William* (white), Ist prize; G. Donaldson (black), 2nd. Class 9—Game. (Single hen, black-breasted red, brownbreasted red, ginger red.) C. James (black red), Ist prize; C. James (black red), A. Fraser (black red), both highly commended.

(For exhibition only.) John Cox (brown red hens), highly commended.

Class 10—Game. (Single hens, duckwing and grey.) G. A. Iteade (duckwing), Ist prize; John Ilosaack (duckwing), highly commended.

Class 11—Game. (Single hens, any other variety.) T. Williams (black), Ist prize; G. Donaldson (black), J. Hassock (birchen yellow), both highly commended, '■ Class 12—Dorkings. (Silver grey.) Noontiy. ' Class 13—Dorkings. (Coloured.) Prize presented by. Mr George Gould. J. Hepwdrth, Ist' prize; H. Sawtell, 2nd; J. Hepworth, 3rd. Class li—Dorkings.

(Any other variety.) ■ A. Saunders (white), Ist prize. , ■; : Class 15—Spanish. W. Villis, Ist prize ; D. Lewis, 2nd. ' Class 16—Cochins. (Bnff.) • T. Stapleton, Ist prize; Mrs Q. Pack®, 2nd. Class 17—CochiSh. (White.) T. Williams, Ist prize ; J. Baylee, 2nd and 3rd. Class 18—Cochins. (Any other variety.) No entry. Class 19—Brahmas. (Dark.) Prize presented by Mr George Gould. Wood Brothers, Ist prize; G. Gould, 2nd; T. Stapleton, 3rd. ' Class 20—Brahmas. (Light.) Mrs Fercday, Ist and 2nd prize; Mrs Foster, 3rd. Class 31—Brahmas. (Single cocks, dark.) Wood Brothers, Ist and 2nd prize; Q. A. Reade, 3rd ; Wood Brothers, highly commended. Class 22—Brahmas. ' (Single- eoeks, light.) Hn Fereday,. let prize; Wood Brothers, 2nd- and 3rd. Class 23—Brahmas (Sweepstake.) (Single liens, dark.) G. Gould, Ist prize. Class 21—Brahmas (Sweepstake). (Single hens, light),. Wood, Brothers, Ist prize. Class 25—Hambukous. (Golden-pencilled.) Prize presented by Mr W. Manning, additional. A. Saunders, Ist prize. Class 26—Hamburg ns. (Silver-pencilled. G. Donaldson, Ist prize ; J. Harper, highly commended. Class 27—Hambcroiis. (Golden-spangled.) A. Noble, Ist prize ; J. M‘Farlane, 2nd; G. Donaldson, 3rd; J. M'Farlaue, highly commended.

Class 28—llAimruGiis. (Silver-spangled.) ,1. Badden, 2nd prize ; U. S. Simpson, 3rd ; J. Buddcn, highly commended. Class 29—Polish. (Golden.) J. Fisher, Ist prise. Class 30 -Polish. (Silver.) John Fraser, Ist prize ; K. Kerr, 2nd. Class 31—Polish. (Any other variety—No entry). Class 32 —La Flecue. Prize presented by Messrs Petersen and Co., for the best pen of French fowls, additional. Wood Brothers, Ist prize; do, 2nd. Class 33—Houdaxs. Wood Brothers, Ist; do, 2nd. Class 31—Ckeve Coeue. Wood Brothers, Ist prize.

■'Class 35—Malay. (No entry.) Class 36— Barndoors. (Only one entry.) Prize given and won by Mr H. Sawtell. Class 37—Gams Bantams. (Black-breasted red.) G. Goilld, Ist prize ; R. Caldwell, 2nd ; G. Gould, 3rd. [For exhibition only.] (Bluck-red bens.) N. Gordon Glass ford, highly commended. Class 38—Game Bantams. (Duckwings.) F. Bigg, 2nd ; N. Gordon Glassford, highly commended. [For exhibition only.] (Duckwing hens.) N. Gordon Glassford, highly commended. Class 39—Bantams. (Any other variely.) J. S. Williams (black), 2nd prize; do, do, 3rd ; R. Kerr (white), highly commended. Class 40—Turkeys. (No. entry.) Class 41—Geese. E. J. Dudley (gray lag), Ist prize; do, do, 2nd; E. Reece (Amoy), highly commended. Class 42—Ducks. (Aylesbury.) G. Gould, Ist prize ; A. A. Smith, 3rd. 1 Class 43 —Ducks. (Rouen.) W. C. Webb, 2nd prize; W. Mardon, 3rd. Class 44—Ducks. (Any other variety.) Prize presented by Mr E. Strange, for the best pair of ducks in the Show, in addition to the first-class prize. T. Williams, (common), Ist prize; do, do, 2nd ; R. Caldwell (half-bred Muscovy), highly commended. Best Capon. (No entry.) PIGEONS. Class 45—Carriers. T. Williams disqualified on account of not matching ; cock bird highly commended. Class 46—Tumblers. Prize presented by Mr Sandstein, additional. T. Williams, Ist prize ; do, 2nd. Class 46—Jacobins. T. Williams, Ist prize ; 6. Ashworth, 2nd. ■ Class 40—Fantails. G. Fletcher, Ist prize ; A. Saunders, 2nd. Class 50—Barbs. (No entry.) Class 51 —Balds oe Beards. T. Williams, Ist prize; George Ashworth (blue), 2nd. Class 52—Nuns. T. Williams, Ist prize; F. Biggs, 2nd. Class 53—Owls. F. Biggs, Ist prize; T. Williams, 2nd, CANARIES. Class 55—Clear Yellow. T. Stapleton, 2nd prize j do, 3rd ; do, highly commended. Prize presented by Mr W. F. Warner. W. Pirie (cock), Ist prize; W. Ness (do), highly commended. Crass 56—Clear Buff. T. Stapleton (cock), Ist prize ; do (do), 3rd; W. Ness (hen), highly commended. Class 57 —Yellow Vaeif.gated. T. Stapleton (cock), Ist prize; W. Pirie (do), 2nd; W. Pirie (do), 3rd; T. Stapleton (do), highly commended. Class 68—Buff Variegated. T. Stapleton (cock), Ist prize; do. (hen), 3rd. Class 60—Lizards. T. Stapleton, Golden Spangled (cock), Ist prize ; do., Silver Spangled (hen), 3rd. Class 62— Any Other Variety. G. Saddler, Goldfinch (cock), 2nd prize. Aggregate Prize. (Presented by Mr J. W. Oram). Won by Mr Thomas Stapleton, additional. An additional private prize was offered by Mr J. W. Morton for the best Capon, but there were no entries. The Society hopes to see this class well represented next year. _ Two protests were made in the pigeon classes—one of which was allowed—Mr T. Williams being awarded the first and second prizes in the Tumbler class. The attendance of visitors was rather scanty during the afternoon, but was more numerous in the evening. The exhibition will be open to-day, and we hope it will be fully patronised.