JUDGING DAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7139, 1 November 1901, Page 4

JUDGING DAY.

Post Special Bjpoitei'.) ' Cvuterton, October :JO.

Things, were .very quiet on the grounds' of tho Wairarapa Pastoral and Agricultural Society's grounds to-day, as thiuys generally are on the first day of a show, meteorological conditions wore such ns to deter the public %oin attending, rain falling all day. The spacious grounds were in good order, and their freshness did not convey the impression that t!ie district had had a very dry wiutetyss,' indeed, it has. " Between a desire' for water and a wish for a fine day to-nior-row (People's Day), the residents of Caterton are somewhat troubled, but the general wish is for a brave display on the show grounds. Should the weather change, as it did for the second day. last year, then we shall have the \vho'o countryside in attendance. An'improvement has been effected on the ground by the erection of a number of boxes for stallions, to the right of the main gates, and the addition of new cattle peus. Farmers find much that is interesting in this year's show, though in some of the figures it does not come up to that of last year. For instance, tho total entry of all classes of sheep this 3'ear is only 170, as against 213 last yoar. This is accounted for by .the absence of ". such prominent breeders as Messrs "Williams and Beetham (who made a".fine show of Shropshires last year), and Messrs A. Matthews and P. Mungaviu, both of whom are well-known Rovnney Marsh breeders. There were 62 entries in Eomneys last year, as against S3 this year. But this year's qunlity is good, there being hardly a bad sheep shown. But the Bomney breed, which was formerly the favorite in the district, would appear to be decreasing in popularity, unless thera be some other causa for the falling away in-competitions. There was a good display of fat sheep of various breeds, and W. C. Buchanan scored in all these classes. The heaviest ewe was Miss Gaskin's Nellie (2441b), the heaviest wether W. Booth's (2881b). The heaviest ewe under 18 months was that of G. Gaskin (1541b), and the heaviest wether of the same age was W. Booth's (1741b). ' ;

Purebred shorthorns made one of tho finest d'splays seen on a showground in the colony. Eirst in interest was Archdeacon TVilliams's thousand-guinea importation Eiby Duke of Derrimut, which obtained the champion gold medal. The Dull cis a lordly beast, of great proportions, and Ms pen was a' centre of attraction. The same breeder had the pleasure of capturing fie silver medal for the champion cow with Duchess of Connaught XIII., which is probably the finest cow Mr J. H. Angas, the South Australian breeder,. hns sent to this colony. Archdeacon Williams sent other fine stock besides the entries named. The Mount Herbert Estate, the trustees of the late. D. M'Master, and M'Hardy Bros, also took prizes with young stock. Mr J. Kyle (Hutt), made a goodly show of high quality Ayrsliires, scoring four first prizes, and Mr G. H. Scales took some of the secondary honours. The champion bull in this class was Mr S. Standee's Master Ayr Jack, bred down Invercargill way, and Mr Standon secured two »ther first awards.

The entries of Jerseys and Aldernevs doubled last year's total, Mr S. E. Lancaster (Manawatu) getting the coveted gold medal with his bull Eangitumau 1., and Mr P. C. Anderson (Carterton) the silver medal for his cow Princess Darkie IV. The other honours in this class were divided between the two breeders named and Messrs H. W. Clay and E. Eagle, jun., (both, of Garterton). Mr G. Stevens,, another local man, secured the championship in Holstcins with a young bull bred in the New Plymouth district, and a Canterbury-bred bull, exhibited by E. tf. Sayer, got second honours..

In grade Shorthorns the principal prize-winners were Messrs M'Hardy Bros., John M'Master, and in fat cattle, of which there was, as usual, a strong representation, honours were divided byMessrs J. P. Bussell, W. E. Bidwill, John M'Master, aud W. C. Buchanan! Some diversion was caused during the afternoon by the getting off of several leaping and trotting competitions. The leaping was exciting at times as spill 3 were frequent, one "horse in particular giving its rider a Hvely lime owing to its endeavour to get undor instead of over the rail. In the Maiden Leaping Match, Mrs D. G. Eiddiford's Gayboy showed the best form, S. Pike's Tom Boy was placed second, and J. Hammond's The Gunner third, The Leaping Match for ponies under 14 hands was won by J. M'Kenzie's Winnie, with J. 0. Ewington's Dolly second, and L. H. Bayner"s Twiggy third. The result of the Walking Match was - J. C. Reid's Darby 1, J. D. M'Dougall's horse 2, W. J. Martin's Agnes 3. W. D. Watson's Koolcwood was adjudged to be the best trotting horso when ridden, but only got into third place when driven.