MANAWATU POULTRY SHOW.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 430, 22 June 1922, Page 5

MANAWATU POULTRY SHOW.

JUDGE'S NOTEWORTHY COMMENT

PREMIER SHOW OF ■ DOMINION."

A feature of the National Dairy Show is the big ehxibition of poultry, in which great interest has been manifested. "The Christchnrch poultry Show has of late years been looked upon as the best in New Zealand, but on the merits of this exhibition at Palmerston North, the premier position must be conceded to Manawatu, Christchurch can now take only second place. This statement was made to press representatives yesterday by Mr G. 11. Ambler, of Auckland, who is recognised as an authority on matters pertaining to poultry. In the Old Country Mr Ambler was a noted fowl fancier and expert, and on coming to New Zealand he was quickly a popular figure among breeders, being the adjudicator iti a very large number of shows throughout the Dominion. His remarks anent the value of the birds exhibited are thus of more than ordinary interest. in the first place, said Mr Ambler. credit should be given to Mr John Jarvis, president of the New Zealand Poultry Association, for the manner in which he hud worked in the interests of the exhibition. Messrs Drain, Bruce and Griffiths were also deserving of recognition for the work they had performed. GENI'.RAL QUALITY EXCELLENT. Speaking of the exhibition as a whole, lie could only say that the quality of the birds was excellent, and without any exaggeration, it was safe to say that the standard of the show exceeded that of any previous exhibition in the Dominion. A special tribute was deserving in connection with the old English game exhibition, in which there were 270 entries. "It is particularly interesting to see the good old English* game so well represented. Indeed it is a record exhibition for NewZealand." he said. Referring to Minorcas. he thought the bird- on show were not up to the usual standard. English Leghorns showed an increase on previous years in the number of entries, the white variety being well up to standard. Brown Leghorns were in excess of previous year-, whilst some truly beautiful birds were to be seen among the American Leghorns. The last-named variety was becoming exceedingly popular in this district. Mr Cudbv had been tho principal winner in these* classes, his single comb birds being of first-rate quality. The Black Orpington birds were not equal in quality to those usuallv exhibited, but he could only eulogise the quality of the Wyandotte exhibit,. It was no doubt due to the very treat interest that Mr Jarvis had taken in this latter class nl bird that the entries were of so particularly high a standard, the majority of birds, being of outstanding merit. An increased number of Rhode island Red fowls showed that a greater degree of interest was being manifested in this variety than had formerly been the case. The 'quality had also improved very materially, and throughout the type had been well maintained. The white' variety of Rhode Island fowls was rather a new feature and some good birds were exhibited. Mr li. Prebblc's exhibits in the spangled cockerel class were of out' standing merit. Modern Game bantams were quite up to the standard of previous years, but the variety in a couple of tho other exhibits was not so good. Magnificent specimens of Indian Runner ducks in the utility section were exhibited. Reverting attain to the subject of Old English Game, Mr Ambler said that Mr A. Robertson bad wen first place and a special prize with a line black-breasted red cockerel, which excelled in typo and colour. QUALITY OF WHITE LEGHORNS IMPROVED. In the utility classes, White Leghorns led in quality and excellence. " I am pleased to note thai breeders are conforming more to the New Zealand utility standard," said llie judge. "As a result much better specimens of the White Leghorn type are being staged than has been the case tit past shows. Mr Bruce's winning cockerel, for example, is a true specimen of the breed. I am pleased to be able to say that the entries have considerably increased in comparison with previous shows, and that the improvement in quality is marked." Minorcas were a useful breed, ho continued, and ibis variety was now being bred more extensively by utility men than bad been the case in the pas!. ''Breeders are evidently recognising the fact that excessive head points are against production," ho remarked. Mr ('timing's silver pullet—a beautiful bird-- had repeated her Waikalo show succe-s in the Black Orpington class. Herein the fowls showed a greater improvement than any other utility breed. Loose feather birds were remarkable by their absence. In the Silver Wyandotte class, the class of fowl exhibited was good. "True to type, with true lacing.'' was his comment on several birds in this section. This proved that type and bcautv can be combined to advantage, White Plymouth Rocks did not appear to be up to the usual standard. In the Rhode Island utility red fowl class the judge had, lie said, been at a loss to separate the birds, so high and uniform had been the standard of the exhibits. In cverv case the birds were of a distinctly meritorious type, especially Mrs Milligan's and Mr ( linch's exhibits. The cockerel entered by the last named, which won the shield, was an excellent type.

TRUE DUCK TYPE DISAPPEARING. " Indian Runner ducks are the White I,(»honi- of the duck family," remarked Mr AmbU'r. " Unfortunately, the exhibits show thai breeders are getting away from the true type. The outstanding point is that man) of the bird- lack the ncces-

sary depth of body. Breeders should bear in mind this very important point: A runner duck is essentially a bottle shape, and not thai of a Hat iron,'' said Mr Ambler. It' this point had been watched more closely, he could have spoken more hiuhly of the value of the exhibits.