To the Editor.

Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7647, 12 February 1903, Page 3

To the Editor.

Sir.—ln your leader of Tuesday calling attention to what at first sight may appear to many to be an action commanding the immediate attention of breeders and exhibitors of show specimens of stock, you tackle a Subject which requires more than a passing thought. I refer to the article dealing with the judging of stock at shows. If I may be allowed an expression of opinion upon the matter, I must say I cannot agree with your remarks. In the first place, what inducement would anyone have to breed purebred stock if he were not allowed to sell Ins surplus animals ? In the second place, what inducement would it be for breeders to exhibit stock under a judge who was not an exper t?—l admit you have a wonderful knack of manufacturing experts in New Zealand upon the shortest notice— and I am sure every breeder will bear me out when I say that it takes' long years of experience until a conscientious man feels himself justified to stand in the ring and adjudicate upon, say, only half a dozen animals of about equal merit; and the great majority of these men are only to be found in the ranks of the breeders and exhibitors. Where is the judge who is bold enough to place animals according to breeders and not to merit? He is, I venture to say, almost invariably to be found in the ranks of dealers or men whose only standard of points is the catalogue. I have seen judging in New Zealand, especially in dogs and poultry, which it appeared to me could have been better done with a box of dice over a glass of beer. I could point out dozens of cases where awards and gominended tickets were given to animals which were not even purebred, simply because the judges were men whose conceit had. not suffered from their being breeders or exhibitors at any time. I have bred small animals now for aver 20 years, and exhibited at all the leading shows hi the Old Country, and I unhesitatingly say—give me for a judge ft breeder and exhibitor, even although his own very stuff is in the same class as mine. He at least could give a reason for his decision, but it would take three Sherlock Holmes to discover the reasons for some awards I have seen made in this country.—l am, etc.,

A. R. Young, M.R.G.V.S. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Mr Luxford seems to be in a, dreadful way over a few facts written without comment, the .jruth of which could not be refuted. ... Re judges judging their own stock, which Mr Luxford says is right and proper for them to do, I venture \o saj- that not one other member of the A. and P. Association— of which Mr Lusf ord is one—will agree with him. As an example, a prominent breeder and. member of that committee absolutely refused to judge cattle at the late Woodville Show which he recog- | nised as his own breeding. A breeder judging his own stock, however honourj able he may be, must be placed in an invidious position and provokes adverse criticism from both exhibitors and public —I am, &c, ! Breeder.