COURTENAY AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6474, 26 November 1881, Page 3

COURTENAY AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

Patron i Mr H. J. Mathias j President: Mr T. H. Antoni Vice-President: Mr o.o. Parker | General Committee: Messrs J. Brett, J. Dyaart, J, Tweodie, 0, Seaton, J. Roberteon, J. Turner, A. B. Davies, H. M'Olelland, D. M'Gregor, G. Henderson, son,, W. M‘Lennon, W. Fairbairn, T. Smith, J. Lord, 0. M'Osusland, R. Templer, O. Addington and R. N. Hopkins j Hon Treasurer : Mr A. M'Noo j Secretary s Mr G. Bedford.

The fourth annual exhibition in connection with the Courtenay Agricultural and Pastoral Association took place yesterday at Eirwee, Mr Fairbairn’s paddock being again used. The weather was far more favourable than woe experienced a year ago, and oven on the arrival of the morning train from Christchurch, there was such a gathering on the show ground as augured well for the subsequent attendance. So far as the entries wore concerned, there was a little falling off from last year, but this was amply compensated for by the generally good quality observable. Indeed, the improvement in this respect was so marked that several notably good judges oxKed the opinion that the stock collected at 06 yesterday would have been creditable in a far more pretentious gathering. The general arrangements wore about the same as in former years, though the secretaryship has passed into other hands. Mr Bedford, however,, had his heart in his work, and did all in his power for the general convenience of exhibitors and visitors. The only drawback experienced was that the judging in the cattle classes had not been completed until late in the afternoon. The usual refreshment and luncheon tents were sot up, the caterer being Mr Franks, of the Eirwee Hotel. The attendance was good, though it did not approach the results which were obtained when the district flower show was incorporated with the agricultural exhibition.

The sheep classes were very well filled, and —speaking generally—the various types Were fitly represented. It may be noted that the judges of yesterday appeared to base their decisions more especially upon the quality of the wool; and it may bo further noted that, in some instances, their patience had to be unduly exercised. For example, the class for 11 best ram any other breed ” included a merino and a Leicester ; and in the class for the best pen of longwools there was no limitation whatever. It was a somewhaj. notable fact that all the prize-takers amongst the young Leicester rams had been bred by Messrs Henderson and M'Beath. These sheep represented the Border type extremely well, and are evidently a profitable line for the district. Some of the fat sheep might with advantage have hod a little more oare bestowed upon them in the shearing. The cattle, though not numerous, were a first-class lot. Almost as a matter of course the Courtenay Company's roan bull, Kingsweir, came in for a large amount of admiration ; and some of his progeny also came out extremely well. Messrs T. Smith, 0. Storey, and G. Seaton showed some grand animals in various classes, and Mr O. 0. Parker also contributed very materially to the success of this portion of the display. The horses were, however, the best feature in the exhibition. Amongst the draughts, the good qualities of Prince Boyol were markedly apparent—in his son, Lord Baglan, and in some of the promising youngsters trotting after brood mares. Diamond, a mare shown by Mr W. Boag, was specially noticeable for her thoroughly good appearance. Amongst the Ei, Mr O. 0. TParker’s roans deservedly a place of honour; and in the class for two-year-old fillies, every entry was noticed by the judges. Amongst the thoroughbreds and hackneys, some of the classes were particularly well represented ; and it seemed to be the opinion of the judges that the district was particularly fortonaU'lu Its possessions. It should be stated that the thoroughbred ranra entered by Messrs Maxwell and Mathias was unavoidably absent. The ponies were a nice even lot, snowing plenty of quality. For the visitors generally, the ladies’ hacks seemed to have most attractions. On this occasion, the string was headed by Mr Markey’s gallant old Mousetrap, splendidly ridden ; and Mr M'Nao's Ladybird was also shown in capital stylo. The pigs were admittedly about as good as could well be desired; the Berkshire type, of course, predominated, and there was evidence of careful selection by breeders. A protest must be entered against the utter absurdity and inhumanity of cooping poultry up in boxes in which they could not possibly stand erect, and could scarcely move. So far as quality was concerned, the birds were fairly good. The produce, as was to be anticipated, made a tempting display. The butter was of generally first-olaae quality, highly creditable to tbo district; and it was flanked with such home-made bread, eggs, cheese, &0., as could not fail to win hearty encomiums. The hams shown, though limited o< to quantity, had been carefully prepared. The entries in the implement classes do not tall for special mention, there being little or ho competition. There was one distinctive feature in connection with the exhibition which cannot be allowed to pass unnoticed. Visitors, on leaving the railway had been agreeably astonished by the volume of dear water rushing along the new race, to bo distributed for the benefit of stock in the district; and on the ground there was an imposing display of glazed pipes, of such sizes as would bo generally required, together with an assortment of branch junctions, &o. These pipes, whioh were of first-class material and workmanship, had been sent in by the Springfield Colliery Company. The following la the PEIZB LIST. [No mention is made of classes in whioh there were no entries or no awards.] SHEEP. Judges—Messrs A. M'llriith, James Johns, and John M'Leod. Best Leicester ram, ov«r 18 months old; four entries—Maxwell anfl Mathias, 1; QSeaton, 2; A. Patterson, commended. Best Leicester ram, under 18 months old; five entries—W.M‘Lennnn,l i A. Patterson, 2; G. Fa White, commended i Measra Henderson and M'Beath’s prize, value £2 2s, for best ram in obove class, W. M'Lennsn. Best ram, any other breed; two entries—J. Gough, 1; Maxwell and Mathias, Lincoln ram, 1. Best pen of five cross-bred ewes, first cross from merinos; two entries—W- M'Lennan, 1. Best pen of five cross-bred owes, with lambs at foot, by merino ram; two entries —Maxwell and Mathias, 1; T. H. Anson, 2. Best pen of long-woolled owes, with lambs at foot, by a long-woolled ram i three entries—G. Seaton, 1 and commended; W. M'Lennan, 2. Best pen of five owe hoggets, first cross from merinos; four entries—W. M'Lennan, 1; T. H. Anson, 2; Maxwell and Mathias, highly commended. Best pen of five long-woolled owe hoggets; four entries—W. M'Lennan, 1 and commended; O. Seaton, 2 and commended, Beit pen of five fat wethers, under 18 months old 3 four entries W'. M'Lennan, 1 1 W. Sheate, 2. Best pen of flvo fat wethers, any age or breed ; three entries—W, M'Lennan, 1 ; Max welland Mathias,2 and highly commended. Best pen of five fat lambs ; four entries—Q. Beoton, 1; T. H. Anson, 2. Messrs J. T. Ford and Co.'s cup, value £2 2s, for greatest number of points taken in sheep —Maxwell and Mathias. CATTLE. Judges—Messrs MTlralth, jM'Lcod, Johns, Marshall, and M'Lonnaa. Best bull of any age ; three entries— Courtenay Company, roan ball, Kingswoir, 1; 0. Bedfern, Deacon, 2 J U. Storey, Second Earl of Lincoln, commended. Best oow for doiry purposes, any oge ; four entries-O. G. Parker, I; W. Sheate, 2- Best bred oow on the ground; seven entnei Curley, 11; Y. Smith. 2; 0. G. Parker, hichlv commended. Best bred heifer, calved since July 1, 1879 ? three entriesV. Smith, 1; O. G. Parker, Buttercup, 2. Best bred heifer, calved jfooe July 1, 1880 ; six entries—Q. Seaton, 1; W. M'Lennan, 2 ; J. Tweedie, highly commended. Best calf, calved since July 1, 18*1; seven entries-O. Storey, 1; V- Smith, 2 1 Q. Beaton, highly commended. Best fat steer for butchering purposes j three entries —1. 8011. 1. Best,

fat heifer for butoherin purposes j one entnr—F. Bull, 1. Mr BandstoinU cup, value £1 Is, to greatest number of points taken in cattle -Y. Smith. The Court may Company’s prise of ill Is, for best oalt' by Eingswoir, calved since July 1,188 i t five entries—Y, Smith.

HOHBEB. Judges—Messrs Campbell, Walls, and Gilmour. PKAUOIIT.

Beat draught entire, travelling the district ; five entries—H. W. M'Lelland, Lord Raglan, 1 ; G. Pocook, Prince Victor, 2 j G. Anderson, jun., Prince of Wales, highly commended; G; Franks, Clydesdale Hero, commended. Best brood draught mare, with foal at foot { one entry—G. Seaton, Diamond, 1. Mr M'Nao’s prize of £1 Is for best brood draught mare on the ground, and Mr Hale's prize, value £1 4s, for best brood draught mare on ground—G. Seaton. Best pair horses for agricultural purposes, property of one owner; four entries—o. G. Parker, Dick and Charlie, 1 j Q. Hay, Bose and Blossom, 2; A. Whyte, Maggie and Jean, highly commended; A, Patterson, Ohum and Punch, commended. Best throe-year-old filly foaled since July 1, 1878 ; three entries—W. McLennan, 1 ; 0. Storey, 2. Best three-year-old gelding, foaled since July 1, 1878; two entries— G. Beaton, 1; G. Henderson, sen., 2; J. Marr, highly commended. Best two-year-old Ally, foaled since July 1,1879; four entries—H.W.M'Lelland,Violet, 1; G.Henderson, junr., 2; B. Bevelly, highly commended; 0. Storey, commended. Best two-year-old gelding, foaled since July 1, 1879; Sentries —W. McLennan, 1; B. Bevelly, 2; G. Seaton, highly commended; B, Munro, commended, Best one-year-old Ally, foaled since July 1,1880 ; 2 entries—Q. Beaton, 1; O. G. Parker, 2. Best one-year-old gelding, foaled since July 1, 1880 ; 2 entries —O. G. Parker, 1 ; B, Shipley, 2. Best foal (oolt or Ally) foaled since July 1, 1881; eight entries—G. Hay, 1; W. Stott, 2; G. Seaton, highly commended; A. Whyte, commended, Mr T. H. Anson's Cap, value £3 Bs, for largest number of points taken in horses—G. Seaton. THOBOUGBBBRSS AKD HAOKNBTB. Judges—Messrs Tabart, Oarew, and Webb. Best yearling (oolt or Ally) by thoroughbred sire; three entries—O. G. Parker, Nutmeg, 1; H. Boper, 2. Best pony (mare or gelding), under 18' hands; six entries—B. Kemp, eenr, 1 and 2; W. M'Lennan, Pippin, highly commended. Best trap horse on the ground ; ten entries—O. G. Parker, Shamrock, 1; B. Wade, bay gelding, 2; H. 0. Frere, Him, highly commended. Best back ; four entries—Maxwell and. Mathias, brown gelding, Joe, 1; A. Patterson, Albany, 2; L. Markey, Cigarette, 3, Best lady’s haok; Avo entries—L. Markey, Mousetrap, 1; A. M'Nae, Ladybird, 2; A. Patterson, highly commended. Best cob, under 14} bands ; four entries—W. Bheate, 1j Orr, 2. PIGS. Judges—Messrs Derritt, Lowe and Toon. Best boar pig, any age ; one entry—Brett Bros, 1. Best boar pig, under twelve months; two entries—O. Q. Parker, 1; W. Fairbaira, 2. Best sow and litter of pigs ; two entries—G. Seaton, 1; A. Patterson, 2. Best breeding sow, over twelve months; three entries —A. Patterson, 1; B. Shipley, 2. Best bred sow, under twelve months ; ten entries—B. Shipley, 1; G. Seaton, 2, and highly commended. Messrs Beath and Oo.'s cup, value £1 Is, for largest number of points taken in pigs—G. Seaton. POULTRY. Judges—Messrs Derritt, Lowe and Toon. Best bred pen of cochins ; one entry —J. Tweedie, 2. Best bred pen of Spanish ; two entries—A. M'Nae, 1; A. Patterson, 2. Finest pen of ducks ; one entry—A. Patterson, 2. Finest pair of turkeys; two entries— Mrs Brown, 1 ; A. Patterson, 2. SHEEP DOQS.—Three entries. Judges—Messrs Berry, M'Beath and Robertson. J. M‘Johnston, 1; A. Gunn, 3. Messrs J. 1. Ford and Oo.’s prize of £1 Is, for the beat sheep dog—J. M'Jobnston. IMPLEMENTS. Judges—Messrs Fraser, Gough, and M‘Murray. Best set of light harrows, 5 leaf; one entry —P. and D. Duncan, 1. Beet reaper and binder; one entry—Robert Wilkin and Co, Osborne, highly commended. Best wood or plain iron roller; two entries—J. Dysart, iron roller, 1; J. Turner, wood roller, 2. Best horse rake; two entriee —A. Patterson, 2; Robert Wilkin and Go., Lion, commended. Best double-furrow plough; one entry—P. and D. Duncan, 1. Best three-furrow plough; one entry —P. and D. Duncan, 1. Best harvest dray and frame ; three entries—H. Qillanders, 1; Armstrong, 2; T. H. Anson, P. and D. Duncan, highly commended. Beet grain drill; one entry—J. Anderson, M'Sherry, 2. Best grubber ; one entry—P. and D. Duncan, 2. Best set of three-horse whippletrees (wood or iron) ; two entries— P, and D. Duncan, 1; A. Patterson, iron, 2. Best spring trap; two entries—G. Hay, 1; T. Jeal, 2. FARM PRODUCE. Judges—Messrs Gough, Fraser and M'Murray. Beat 21bs of fresh butler; Afteen entries— Mrs Napier, 1; A. Colder, 2; B. Shipley, 8. Best Gibs of salt butter; five entries —Mrs Napier, 1; G. Seaton, 2, Beat cheese; one entry; a oup, value £1 Is, given by Messrs Petersen and Oo.—Mrs Napier, 1. Best side of bacon ; three entries— G. Seaton, 1 and 2. Best two hams; four entries—-A. E. Davis, 1 ; G. Seaton, 2. Bo>t twelve eggs; three entries B. t/roaskill, 1 ; A. Patterson, 2. Beat loaf of bread, 41b, Home-made ; four entries —Mrs Brown, 1; A, Colder, 2; A. M'Nae, 3. Best sack of three bushels of oats; two entries-G. Bedford, 1; T. H. Anson, 2. Best sack of Ave bushels rye-grass seed; one entry—T. H. Anson, 1. SPECIAL PRIZES. Mr G. Franks, £2 2s, for best pen of Arst cross-bred hoggets, Ist cross from merino ewe and Leicester ram -, three entries—T. H. Anson, 1. Mr P. Grant, £1 Is for best pen of Arst cross 4 tooth ewes, with lambs at foot; throe entries—W. M'Lennan, 1. Mr J. Gough, £2 2s for the best pen of fat merino wethers for butchering purposes; three entries—Maxwell and Mathias, bred by exhibitors, 1; W. M'Lennan, 2. Mr Fairbairn, £1 for best fat steer, bred by exhibitor ; one entry—A. Culder, 1. Mr G. Pooook, £2 2s for best foal by Prince Victor; two entries—A. Patterson, 1. Mr G. Franks, let Erizo, £llos, 2nd prize, 10s, for the best foal y Olydissdale Hero j two entries—A. Whyte, 1. Mr J. Nelson, £1 Is for the best foal by Young Messenger; 2nd, 10s 6d; three entries—W. Fairbairn, 1; J. Dysart, 2. Mr G. Henderson, junr., a prize of £1 Is, for the beet two-year-old (colt or Ally), by Prince of Wales; two entries —B. Bevelly, 1. Mr Q. Henderson, £1 Is, for the best foal by Prince of Wales; three entries—Q. Henderson, junr., 1. Mr G. King, £1 Is, for the best three-year-old colt; two entries—G. Seaton, 1. Mr Goodman, 10s 6d, for the best yearling back; two entries—O, G, Parker, 1. Mr G. Rutherford, £1 Is, for beet Slbs fresh butter; fourteen entries—Mrs Napier, 1. Extra exhibits. Robert Wilkin and Co., Osborne reaper and mower; P. and D. Duncan, grass seed stripper, cultivator, and horse hoe, all highly commended.