AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14201, 25 October 1906, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.

TIMARTJ. The Tinmru Agricultural and Pastoral Show opened yesterday. The .weather was very cold, but after two shows held under far worse weather conditions, even a cold day was welcomed. As usual on the first day, when only sheep and some classes of horses are on tho ground, there was only a small attendance of the general public. A considerable falling off in the total number of entries has to be noted, chiefly due, to tne fact that exhibitors are inclined to hold off in anticipation of tho great Exhibition Show at Christchurch. The fact of the Ashburton Show clashing with the Timaru Show was also a contributing cause, but not to a serious extent, a fair number of entries coming from Ashburton. The entries of sheep fell short of last year’s numbers, which constituted a record, by about 100. Horses were more numerous, and the entries of cattle also showed an increase, as also did those of dogs. There w r as nob a single entry in the pig classes. The imple-’ ment section of the show, which for the last two years has been much smaller than of old, owing to mutual arrangement among firms, was reinstated to E radically its former dimensions, and eihg a popular part of the show, the change will probably be to the benefit of the Association. The show of. sheep was consistent with expectations founded on late shows, the animals penned being of uniform good quality. Only two pens of merinoes were shown, and these belonged to L. Witheli, of the Whiterdck Estate. There was a very large entry of Leicesters. Donald Grant and E. and R. Kelland secured nearly all the awards in this class,- which was a particularly good division, with keen competition. In Border Leicesters-, William Grant and N. M. Orb'ell secured almost all the awards. A few Lincolns were entered, the honours going to G. H. Rhodes. Romney Marshes were shown by William Grant and C. N. Orbell. The Down classes were not much patronised, W. Grant baking the awards practically without opposition. Only one exhibitor, J. Witheli, showed Ryelands. . Cross-Bred hoggets were a good though small class. The fat sheep were of considerable merit, being, with few exceptions, of reasonable weight, and only two pons in the freezing classes bad to be rejected through being overweight. There were about sixty entries in the fat classes, including lambs and special classes. No cattle were on the ground yesterday, but the entry numbers fifty, and a fairly good show is expected. Tho horse section did not suffer at all owing to the Ashburton fixture, as compensating support was received from Oamaru and Waimate, which contributed several entries. Altogether there were over 300 entries, forming a record. The classes for light harness horses have . been showing improvement for several years, and the horses shown yesterday were exceptionally good. In three or four cases the judges had to separate entrants at least twice before coming to a decision. Two classes which stood out as particularly good were dog-cart and light gig horses. The draught three-year-old stallion ring was the biggest shown on the ground, and the same remark applies to fillies. The yearling colts also formed a big ring, bub the majority were not well forward, not having wintered well. For me driving competition there were five competitors, the winner being L. Trilford,/with R. Johnston second. There was a larger entry of dogs than last year, but the farm and dairy produce entries were smaller. Last evening the weather was still windy and cold, giving rather bad prospects of a fine day for “ People’s day.”