THE ANNUAL SHOW.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVII, Issue 162, 13 July 1903, Page 4

THE ANNUAL SHOW.

The Show attracted a considerable number of people to Ewart's Hall ou Satur day afternoon and evening, though the wet weather militated greatly against the public success of the occasion. The heavy downpour that lasted throughout the evening kept many people away. The superior merit of the exhibition and the marked advance of the Show on that of last year were again recognised ; and close interest was taken in the demonstration of plucking and trussing for export that was given by Mr Burke, the Government grader. His execution, which was remarkably quick and neat, was not only entertaining, but very instructive, atid the lesson has been of real practical value. Mr D. Hyde, the Government expert, was in at tendance throughout the Show, and imparted a fund of information to the many people who consulted him.

During the evening Mr E. F. Healy, under instructions from the Association, conducted an auction sale. Some 75 head of dressed poultry were sold, the fowls being disposed of on an average of 4s 6d a pair, three geese fetching 5s 6d each, and half a-dozen turkeys 5s each. From £50 to £60 worth of live poultry changed hands in the room.

The officers of the Association are to be complimented on the management, which was quite equal to the increased proportions of the Show. Mr James Hodgson did excellent secretarial work. During the evening, Mr F. Shaw, the .President, returned thanks to the public for their patronage, and announced that, despite the extremely wet weather, the affair had turned out satisfactorily from a financial point of view, a substantial surplus being in sight. A matter to be kept in view by future exhibitors is the necessity of exercising more care in regard to the entering of t irds. On this occasion a good deal of trouble was caused because some exhibits entered wrongly had to be adjusted.

A correction has to be made to the prize list with respect to the Brown Leghorn cocks. J. D,. Iremonger secured the first prize, and W. Iremonger the second. Following is the completion of the prize-list:— Best Bird in the following classes :— Brahtnas, G. Frost; Andalusians, Fred Parker ; Hamburgs, Ivy Fullford; Selling Class, Geo. Patohett ; Novice Class, Miss J. Mahon ; White Leghorns, J. Currie; Minorcas, J.Currie ; Bantams, J. D. Iremonger ; Orpingtons, A. R. Thomson ; Game, except Indian, J. O'Connor; Dorkings, J. Patchett; White Leghorn cook, E. H. Ball ; Indian Game, G. Hodson ; pair crossbreds, W. Gamble; Plymouth Rocks, W. A. Sowman ; Langshans, Ron Sowman ; Brown Leghorns, J. D. Iremonger ; Wyandottes, J. D. Iremonger. CANARIES. Best Canary, Mrs G. B. Lusk ; best cage bird, other than canary, W. Hodson. DUOKS. Ducks, other than Indian. Runner, W. H. Buckman ; best duck in Show, W. H. Buckman. PIGEONS. Working Homers, Harold Patchett; Fancy Pigeons, F. Tunnicliffe.