AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 15901, 12 April 1912, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL SHOWS.

METHVEN. FIRST ANNUAL SHOW. Officials: President. Mr A. Orr; honorary treasurer, Mr 0. A. Cuh ; honorary auditor, Mr H. Green; secretary. Mr C. T. Middleton. Yesterday Methvcfi, called after a peaceful little village in tlie land of “ brown heath and shaggy wood, hearing the same appellation, was the. scene of a considerable gathering of country people from iar and near on the occasion of the first show under the auspices of the recently formed Agricultural and Pastoral Association, a fixture which the Association hopes to make an annual one. A 3 far as shows aro concerned Methven has been content until recently to form an adjunct— a valuable adjunct—to the premier agricultural body of that part of the country, the Ashburton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which was founded in the middle seventies, but some months ago an agitation wSs set on foot with the object of forming a local Association. The idea was taken up with avidity, and a couple of weeks after the first meeting things were in such a successful position that fcho future of the Association was practically assured. It is r.o-.y an axiom that no agricultural district is complete without an annual show, and considering the many centres which can boast of associations of long standing, it is really surprising that it was not until the second decade of the twentieth centurv that Methven decided to fall into lino, and to call into being another of those useful bodies. And the prospects of a successful career for the- new Association are entirely favourable. judging by the whole-souled enthusiasm which animates the district. It was not long before it was decided to oocn with an autumn show, and the ambitions of tbo promoters must have been fully realised. Very largely the success and non-success of Agricultural and Pastoral Associations is denendent on the officers selected for the principal posts, and it must be admitted that in making their selections the members exercised a very wise discretion, with the result that the show was excellently conducted. It is no mean task for such an association to carry out its first show so soon after its foundation, but the Association under review achieved a distinct and emphatic success. In Mr A. Orr the Association has an industrious and painstaking executive head, while m Mr C. T. Middleton it has a very capable secretary. In the early days of Ashburton there was a. grave question in the minds of the settlers as to which of the many townships along the lino of railway from Christchurch south was to he the town of the district. Raknia had. a store of its own and two hotels. Chertsoy had. a storo and one hotel. Ashburton had two or three stores and six hotels. Tinwald had 0110 store and one hotel. Mount Somers and Alford Forest had each a storo and the inevitable hotel. Methven had then only one store and one hotel. But there was no railway to Mount Somers then, nor was Methven blessed, or otherwise, with tho lino that connects it with .Rakaia and the main lino. That main lino changed the whole trend or midCanterbury history, and for many years gave a set-back to the 1 foothill townships that was anything but pleasing to thorn, and relegated them tc the position of backblock villages. Ashburton became the mid-Canterbury centre, and all the others had to take •minor place. Methven, however, has a history of its own. It was the terminus of the Raknia and Ashburton Forks railway lino, though what “ Ashburton Forks” had to do with it is difficult to say. The line was a private one at first, and probably the promoters had something in their minds that the name “ Ashburton Forks covered which it not patent to the pre-sent-day historian. But whatever the name covered, the line stopped short at Methven, and at a latqr date the Government took it over, and the idea which was said to be entertained of connecting it .with Mount Somers was j allowed to quietly die out. If any one ! n ow goes to Metlivon, and thence desires to reach Mount Somers, he must uso tho road for the journey, or retrace his steps to Rakaia, pass through Ashburton and take the branch line which leaves the Main South line at Tinwald. Tho early settlers in the Methven district were mostly Scots, hence the little township became known as the “ Highland Village.’’ . The lata Mr Robert Paton was the first hotelkeeper, in th° place, as he was also one of the earliest farmers. It is to him that the place owes its name, as he was a native of tho little town of Methven, in Perthshire, Scotland, and in compliment to' the pioneer the name of his native place was bestowed on the Highland j dInge.” Methven, in Perthshire, has perhaps a thousand inhabitants. Its namesake at the foot of the Southern Alps In.lv perhaps lie able to tally as many. But in the early days Methven was an important place in its way. * It was a business centre for a large area of excellent ngricultural laud and lino sheep country. Five miles south on the main road lay the superb estate of Springfield,' the proper by of Messrs Gould and Cameron, on which quite an army of men was employed. One celebrated scene is still in the memory of some of the older Methvenites, when to reap an eight hundred-aero paddock of wheat, Mr Cameron marshalled the wnole of liio permanent staff of men and a large staff of harvest specials.” All his own reaping machines were brought into play, and as many more as ho could borrow, and when the word was given to proceed tho scene was like an army on the march. Many end names aro held in high respect in Methven today. The village in itself is but a centre, and. its history is associated with Lyndhurst, Cairnbrae. Sherwood and Lauriston. The Camerons of Springfield and Climes, the Hendersons of Belmont, William Lllyott of Upton Fnrm, the Masons of Oorwar, the Stewarts. the Holmeses, the Mackays. the M’Lon nans are all names of men who did their share in making the place what it is to-day. In the young days there was no church, no hall—the little school did duty for everything in tho way of meeting and amusement. Now every church of importance is represented, and has its own building, and this is but one direction in which progress can be marked. For many years tho Methven farmers had all their “ eggs in one basket” in the shape of wheat growing, and their output was enormous while the heart was in the. land, but the frozen meat industry came into vogue just in time, and saved the situation for tho Methven farmers, as it did for the farmers of the dominion generally. Now the fortnightly sales at Methven are matters of the first importance to sheep farmer .and dealer. Tho atlmifablo water-race system of the Ashburton County Council is shared in by the Methven district, and not a farm is without its own race, so that the whole country, as far ns stock and homestead supply is concerned, is independent of the rainfall. For local rating purposes the property in tho road district i? valued at over threequarters of a. million. Many of the names already quoted represent largo areas of land. Of recent years these areas have been cut up fer closer settlement, and this lias been largely conducive to a very material increase of population, both 'in tho township itself and on the farm lands. The show was formally opened by the president, Mr A. Orr, who made complimentary referento to tho pioneers of the Ashburton County, referring par-

ticularly to the late Mr John prigg, who was largely instrumental in inaugurating the frozen meat industry. He expressed pleasure at the success of the show, and said that lie entertained no doubt but the show would become an annual fixture. There was a" very largo attendance, all the surrounding districts being fully represented, and the weather was beautifully fine. During the day the Methven Brass Band gave selections of music. The following were the entries under the various headings:—

Taking tile entries in the order in which they appeared on the catalogue, the first to come under review aro the sheep, in which, although the quality wis uniformly good, the number was disappointingly small, the number of exhibitors being very limited. Some excellent fat sheep were shown, nearly all being in prime condition, and Mr T. Dowling secured the majority of the premier awards, Mr D. M’Donald taking honours in the class for butchers’ ewes. The fat lamb classes were numerically much stronger, nnd here again tho quality was exceptionally good. Competition was very keen, and in tome instances tho judge must have experienced the greatest difficulty in making the awards, since practically all the exhibits were worthy of meritorious mention. The first awards in this section were secured by Messes A. V. Richards, T. Dowling, .J. M’Girr, J. Moorhead, J. Glassey, T. Doherty and J. Cullen. The classes for breeding ewes only brought forward a few entries, but here again tho quality was very creditable. The rain classqS brought forward a number of excellent specimens of the various breeds. In English Leicosters Mr A. Drummond secured two first awards, the third going to Messrs Mawson Brothers. In Border Leicester's ail the premier awards went to Messrs P. and A. Drummond. Shropshires were unrepresented, while tho only exhibitor in Southdowns was Mr T. Dowling, whoso exhibits were much admired. No Lincolns were penned in the. classes provided for this class of sheep. Tho prize for tho best pet lamb was secured by Miss Gertie O’Sullivan.

Tho representation of cattle was only fair as regards numbers, but the quality was distinctly good. No aged bulls were shown. In Jerseys the first prize went to Mr G. Vaughan, in Shorthorns to Mr T. Dowling, and in Ayrsliires to Mr D. VC. M’Lean. Mr Vv y . G. Breach secured, the judge’s award in the class for dairy cows, while Mr T. Dowling scored in the classes for 81101+110111 and Ayrshire cows. From three fat cOvs Mr T. Doherty’s entry was selected for pride of place.

The horso sections were strong in numbers, and the draughts, although containing nothing 01 outstanding class, nevertheless included a large number of very useful animals, the greater number being shown in good condition. No aged stallions were shown, but in the younger,c]pss some promising animals were exhibited, Mr Denis M’Kendry securing first place with a colt by Baron Carlton.. In yearlings honours rested respectively with Mr A. Davidson and Mr G. Campbell. In mares Mr Campbell secured the championship with a nice animal. The young classes wore a promising lot, many showing considerable quality. In the class for draught pairs there were three exhibitors, and Mrs H. Nee secured first place, while in the class for four horse-ter.ms, honours rested with Mr A. Murray after a spirited contest. The harness horses were a particularly good lot. In most classes there was strong competition, and in many cases little separated the placed from the unplaced horses. Mr G. Campbell’s Redskin was awarded first place in the class for stallions, and in the brood inure class Mr F. Dunne scored in strong company, while in a strong sec-t-ion of two-year-olds Mr J, Fleming carried off the honours with a filly by Mambrino King. The classes for gig and dog cart horses brought forward entries that were a credit to the district, Mr D. Gilies scoring m the former and Mr 8. G. Lemon in the latter.. The three classes for hackneys were well filled with horses of a very good stamp. Mr D. Westenra scored in two classes, whilst Mr J. M’Pbersons Toofnh secured premier position in the class for ladies’ hacks. ... The hunters were a very nice lou, and some excellent work wvas done in negotiating the hurdles. The Dony were of undoubted strength, although' some were rough and in all sections competition was very keen. 111 the class for ponies under fourteen hands Mr J. T. Mangin’s Toby was placed at the head of the list in excellent .company, and in the pony trotting competition, in which there were numerous entries. Miss I. Moore’s Bonny X. scored a good win. Three classes for sheep clogs were strong in number and quality, and the judge expressed himself greatly pleased with the exhibits. In the smoothhaired class honours rested with Mi M . J. M’Millan’s Boon. In the longhaired class Mr D. Gillies scored, and in the bearded section Mr R. Holland’s Darkis was placed first. ; Only a limited number of pigs was penned, but the quality was very good. The poultry classes were very weak, the majority of the divisions being marked No entry.” The quality was In the produce section t-lie exhibits wore a feature of tho show. The fruit classes, brought forward some nice exhibits, but the number was small. Tho collections of vegetables woro very good, and some nice potatoes were also shown. The roots were of great all-round excellence, and were probably the best that have been seen at any show in the province during the current season, the mangels and turnips standing out for size and quality. The section for grain attracted 110 entries, and the absence of one of the district’s staple products caused much comment.

Tho dairy section was excellently filled with exhibits of a very high class, and coni net iti on was strong. The cookery clause’, as at most country centres, were 011 c of the most- attractive features of the show, especially in the eyes of the ladies. The judges woro: —Fat sheep, Mr F. H. Steel; other classes, Mr J. Henderson; fat cattle, Mr F. H. Steel ; other classes, Mr S. Sparks; draught horses, Messrs'J. Wyllio and G. Cormack; hunters ponies and harness horses, Messrs ■\y. F. M. Buckley and W. Hayward; sheep dogs, Mr W. Anderson; pigs, Mr T. A. O. Pearce; poultry, Mr G. Bundy; fruit, vegetables and field roots, Mr W. Jones; farm produce, Mr F. IV. Seldom; dairy produce, Mrs T. M’Dowell; needlework, Mesdames Orr nnd Dickie ; juvenile section, Messrs J. G Blunders nnd J. Charles. The following is tho prize list:— PRIZE-LIST. Tins following is tho orize-list, tho number of entries in each class being given in parent!lCSM: ~ SHEEP. Eive half-bred or crcra-bred wethers or ewes, suitable for freezing (I)—T. Doherty 1. Five half-bred w'dihers, by_ long-woolled tarn (3)—T. Dowling 1, b. Crawley 2. Five cross- ! bred wethers, any breed (3) —T. Dowling I, 1 G. Harris 2> Five butchers’ wethers (41—T. j

Dowling 1, Mawson Bros. 2. Five butchers’ ewes (51—D. M’Donald 1, D. A. Black 2. Pet snoop (6)- —Mrs E. Holland 1 and 2. Five long-wooiled lambs, Down cross excepted, not exceeding 841 b live weight (5) —A. V. Richards 1, D. M’Dona’.d 2. Five Down cross lambs, r.ot exceeding 84!b Jive weight (2) T. Dowling 1, NicoT Bros. 2. Five lambs, and other cross breed, live weight, not exceeding 841 b (6) —J-. M’Girr 1. D. M’Donald 2. Five lambs, over 421 b dressed weight (1) J. Moorhead 1. Five lambs, any breed or weight 47) —J. Glassey 1. J. Moorhead 2. Five iambs, not exceeding ,371 b dressed weight (B) —A. T. Fvichnrds 'l, T. Doherty 2. Five cross-bred flock ewo lambs (-1) —J. On - ion 1, T. Doherty 2. Five two-tooth crossbred breeding ewes (2)—J. Cullen 1. Five four-tooth cross-bred breeding ewes (3)—G. Harris 1, T. Doherty 2. Five six-tocth or over cross-bred breeding ewes I.2)—G. Harris j, T. Doherty 2. Five-two-tooth halfbred breeding ewes (1) —J- Tcff Five sixtooth or over breeding ewes (2)—W. J. M MilJan 1. Five breeding merino ewes, type most suitable for breeding half-bred (21—W. Morgan ]. Five ram hoggets, any pure breed (2) P. Drummond 1. fwo-tcctb English Leicester ram (5) —Mnwson Bros. 1 and 2. Four-tooth English Le-costcr rim (I)—A. Drummond 1. Six-tooth or over English Leicester ram (I)—A. Drummond X. T»'ntooth Border Leicester r&m (4) —A. Drummond 1, P. Drummond 2. Four-tooth Border Leicester rsm (I)—P. Drummond 1. Sixtooth or over Border Loicester ram (3) A. Drummond 1. P. Drummond 2. . Two-tooth Southdown ram (1) —T. Dowling 1. Fcuitootli Southdown ram (1) —T. Dowling 1. Sixtooth or over Southdown ram (2)—T. Dowling 1 and 2. Pet limb, exhibited by a child (9)— G. O’Sullivan 1, Winnie M’Kendry 2. CATTLE. Heifer, not exceeding three years, in milk (3) —C. Spray' X, J. Welsh 2, T. Doherty 3. Cow, suitable for dairy purposes (9)—;W. G. Breach 1 and special, E. Weavers 2, Thomas and Phaup 3. Cotter’s cow (3)-J. Stewart 1 and noeoial, Mrs A. Gordon H. G. Hunt 3. Shorthorn cow (2)—T. Doliertv 1 and special, C. Spray 2. Ayrshire cow (2)— i. Doherty 1 and speoiat, A. L. Pluck 2. Jersey cow (4)—T. Doherty J. Thomas and Phaup 2, H. G. Hunt 3. Heifer calf (6>— C Spray 1, G. Vaughan 2. One-year-old heifer (4)-T. Dowling 1 W Davison 2 Fat cow (3)—T. Doherty 1, W. Morgan 2. Threo-year-old Shorthorn bull 0»-T. Dowling 1, Thomas and Phaup 2. Three-year-old Ayrshire bull (2) —D. W. M’Lean' 1 and 2. Three-vear-old Jersey bull (2)-G. Vaughan 1, E. ilnhood 2. HOUSES.

Draughts.—Two-year-old colt (4) —D. M’Kendry 1 and 8. A - Davidson 2. •Yearling' (7) —A Davidson 1, Bros- 2, D. guinness S. Foal (7)-G. Campboll 1 and special, A. Davidson 2, J. M’Crenor 3. Dry mare, any age (9)—G. Campbell 1, champion and 3, C. Spray 2. Three-year-okl filly (I)—T. Dowling 1. Two-year-old filly (/) Mrs M. Wilson 1. Yearling filly (s)—l. Kemoen 1, A. Murray 2, D. M’Namam v h c. Gelding, any ago (2)—A. M’Farlane 1, S. M’Crea 2. Mare, with two of her progeny (4)—J. Cullen 1, A. iTKay 2, A. Drummond h o. Pair (3)—Mrs H. Nee X and G. Campbell 2, A. Drummond v h. c. Four geldings (I)—D. M’Kendry 1. Four mares or fillies (I)—G. Campbell 1 and special. Yearling, by Montalto IV. (8) —A. Murray 1. Harness Horses. —Entire (2) —G. Campbell 1, J. Popp 2. Brood mare (6)—F. Danne 1, C. Ireland 2. Two-year-old (10) —J. Fleming 1, C. Hutcheson 3. Yearling (4)—M. Poff 1, J. T. Mangin 2. Gig horse, under 13.3 hands (12)—D. Gillies 1, W. Logan 2. Dogcart horse, not under 15.3 hands (11) —S. G. Lemon 1, W. D. Lemon 2. Pony. 14 hands or under (7) —T. Sharplin 1, J. Pearce 2. Tradesman’s turnout (9) —A. C. Street 1, A. Allnrdi 2, J. Carraud Co. 3. Hackneys.—Twelve ,ntono hack (9) —D. Westenra, 1 and 2, M. M’Pherson 3. Troop horse, up to list (8) —D. Wostenra 1, M. McPherson 2. Lady a hack (11) —M. M’Pher■son 1, Miss Stevenson 2, W. Goring 3. Ponies.—Pony, under 14 hands (16) —J. T. Mangin 1, Mrs Nee 2, Mrs Crowley 3. Pony, under 12 hands, ridden by boy or girl under fourteen years (4) —G. Harris 1, W. Lowe 2. Pony trotting competitions (15)—I. Moore 1, L. Hicks 2. DOGS. Smooth-haired Collie (12) —W. J. M’Millan. 1, C. Ireland 2, C. C. M’Donald h c. Longhaired Collie (8) —D. Gillies 1, J. M’Crencr 2. Bearded Collie (9) —R, Holland 1, R. M’Lean 2. PIGS: Fafc pig (3)—D. W. M’Lean 1, A. C. Street 2. Two porkers (3) —J. Welsh 1, A. C. Street 2. Breeding sow, under 12 months (1) —Mrs H. Nee 1. , Breeding sow, over 12 months, with litter (IV—J. Welsh 1. Two baconers (2)—D. AY, M’Lean 1. POULTRY. Silver Wyandotte cock and jien (1) —H. A. Lloyd I.' Indian Runner duck and drake (1) —Mrs C. P. Murray-Aynsley 1. Three pullets (4)—Mrs D. W. M’Lean 1, F. Chapman 2. PRODUCE. Fruit.—Dessert apples (4) —W. Ullyatt 1, S. Smith '2. Cooking apples (5) —T. A. Protlicroa 1. W. Ullyatt 2. Collection of apples (2) —S. -Smith 1. Garden vegetables.—Collection (G) —D. W. M’Lean 1, R. Hoodie 2. Potatoes (2)—J. Bishop 1, Miss J. M’Rae 2. Collection of produce and flowers (1) —Lyndhurst school 1. FIELD ROOTS. Long Red mangels (3) —T. Doherty 1 and 2. Yellow mangels (4) —T. Dowling 1 and 2. Carrots (3) —J. Bi-hop L T. Dowling 2. Purple-top Yellow Aberdeen turnips (1) —J. T. Doherty 1. Grren Globe turnips IS) —T. Doherty 1 and 2. Turnips, any variety (4)J. T. Doliertv 1, T. Doherty 2. Swede turnips (16)—w. Breach 1. W. J. Lilley 2. Heaviest turnips (4)—W. J. Lilley l, J. T. Dowling 2. Up-io-Dste potatoes (4) —J. Bishop 1. W. J. Lilley 2. Potatoes, any other variety (5) —J. Bi'hop I. Mis*. J. M’Eao 2. Ccllfciion of field roots (1) —T. Doherty 1. FARM PRODUCE. Tuscan wheat (2)—J.- Blair 1, W. Hurst 2. DAIRY PRODUCE. Dairy butter (8) —Mrs A. Orr 1, Mrs A. Horsey 2. Separator butter (17)—Mrs R. Holland 1. ’Mrs H. Hunt 2. Mrs C. Spray 3. Home-cured unsmoked ham (21 —Mrs W. Morgan 1. Mrs P. Drummond 2. Hen eggs (2) — j. Rainbow 1. Duck eggs (2) —J. Rainbow 1, Mrs 1). Duff 2. MISCELLANEOUS.

Home-made white bread (18) —Airs A. Orr 1, Mrs C. Spray 2. Mrs A. M'Kay 3. Homemade brown broad (((I —Mrs A. M'Kny 1. Miss C. Tullsy 2. Home-made currant or plum loaf (1) —Mr* A. AC’Kay 1. Oven scones (11) —Mrs J. G. L-iliey 1, Airs J. Rainbow 2. AJ.rs Hedrick ’3. Girdle scones Alisa Wallace 1. Mrs J. Rainbow 2. Collection of pastry (s)—Miss E. Alawson 1, Airs j. x. Doherty 2. Collodion of cakes (1) — Airs A. M’Kay 1. Collection of fancy cakes (2) —Airs J. Fleming; 1, Alias R. Cox 2. Collection of jams and jellies (3) —All's G. K. Aitken 1. Airs L. Crowley 2. Bottled fruit (4) —Mrs Ij. Crowley 1, Mrn D. IV. Al’Lean 2. Pickie3 (I)—Airs D. DufT 1. Flowers (G)—H. A. Palmer 1. Mrs H. Al’Lean 2. Pot plants (I)—Alia L. Cox 2. NEEDLEWORK.

Coloured fancy work (21—Miss E. M’Kcndry 1 Mrs F. E. Knight special. White fancy ’work (2)—Mrs 11. T. Kniglit 1, Aliss Ivy Kniglit 2. Traycloth, drawn-thread (1) Airs W. ‘Dawson 1. Table-centre (3) —Miss R. Cox 1, Miss E. Al’Kcndry 2. Pillow shams, Alount Mellick (4)—Airs H, G. Hunt 1. Airs H. H. Peweon 2. Cushion (4)—Mies B. M. Smith 1, Miss F. H. Smith 2. Smocked drsss for child (3)—Mr* H. G. Hunt 1, Afrs IT. Palmer 2. JUVENILE SECTION.

Ages thirteen to fifteen years. —Writing (10) , J£. M’Oormick 1, AI. Cox 2. Ages ten fo twelve years.—Writing (9)—E. Davison 1, Ai. Davison 2. Freehind drawing (S)—Rotherham School 1 '"Ago, Under fifteen years.—Pencil sketching (1)— M. Dickie 1. Aia-p-drawing t-4) —Rotherham School 1 and 1 COMPETITIONS. Weight- judging—W. Goodwin L

Sh?cp 101. Cat* in 45 Draught horpos .58 horses 69 Hackneys 28 Ponies 70 J>ogs 2-1 Pigs 10 Poultry G Produce 77 Farm produce 3 Oa’ry rrodnco 29 Xerdlovork 5G •Tnvorilo Fection 29 Miscellaneous 66 Total G23