THE LATE SHOW.

Northern Advocate, 24 November 1888, Page 2

THE LATE SHOW.

Although, as we stated last issue, at the late show the number of exhibits were meagre compared with past years, and less than the district justifies, there were many features very creditable and worthy of note. The dairy stock and cattle were excellent, aud the fat ox exhibited by Mr Carter was a grand animal, though more beef could have been put on him ; as a grass-fed animal, however, he could scarcely be beaten. The farm horses, or light draughts, could scarcely be excelled, possessing tho necessary qualifications [of bone inussle, and activity. The hacks, however, were not to our mind, and there was much truth in Mr Buckland's and Mr Harris' remarks at the dinner. Many of them were too light, and not up to the weights in the classes in which they were entered. The complaint mado by Mr Carter, that it was not fair for horses in training for races, in the pink of condition, to be exhibited against farmers' hacks, had much force in them. This however, is a grievance more apparant than real. The" object of the show is, we imagine, to encourage the breeding of weight carrying hacks, and the better we can breed, and the closer we can run to the blood in our crosses the better, and it would be folly to debar any from exhibiting a good animal, for we want

good types exhibited, for models of example. The horses exhibited were, however, in our opinion, too light, and could not carry weight continuously over a rough country or on a journey. The remedy is to raise the weights, and make the exhibits 12 and 14 stone respectively, instead of 10 and 12. This would havo the desired effect; it would exfcludo tveedy racers, but would encourage competition in .horses most required and bf the best value. The sheep were; without donbt, not only a credit to the exhibitors and the show, but would have held their own on any show ground in the colonies, though in this class we would like to have seen more competition, for we know of many good flocks not represented. The rams, owned by Mr Eoose, and Which took both first and second prize, have since been shorn, and have justified the opinion of the judges, the one taking first prize clipping 21 lbs and that taking second prize, 24lbs of wool. Although ihis may appear an error on the part of ihe judges, it was not so* for, although the sheep to which second prize was awarded clipped most wool, in respect to symetry and quality the other animal was his superior. The ram hogget exhibited by the same owner, and which was highly commended, clipped 19 lbs of Wool. In the pigs also, what was lacking iii Quantity was made up in quality. The Berkshire boar shown hy Mr Sinclair, of Lake Takapuna, Eogerson, sire Sir Roger, dam Flirt 2nd, grand dam Lady Flirt, b>ed by Lord Fitzhardinge, of Berkley, ■Was a rarity, and although not in the highest of condition, yet possessed an immense body, broad, deep, and long. The young Yorkshire boar exhibited by Mr Eolleston of Hikurangi, was a superb animal for his age, and possessed many qualities not to be found in his Berkshire rival, the quality of coming to early maturity being a very important one. Breeders should secure stock from these animals. Mr Hntching's show of saddlery was excellent, and most tastefully arranged ; but here also we should have liked competition. In vehicles the exhibits were exceedingly good; and, Whether in. bnggies, dogcarts, spring carts, baker's carts, or drays, the local production proves that there is no need to go out of Whangarei to procure conveyances in every way adapted to the yaried requirements of farmers and businessmen. The one fault, and the only fault we hate to find with the show was the lack of competion, which we hope to see remedied another year, so that the public, who so liberally patronised the club by their attendance, may be gratified instead of leaving the grounds with feelings of disappointment. „The remarks of the. judges at the dinner in the evening justify ours; In responding to the toast of " the Judges, Mr Harris expressed his gratification at being again at the show, but stated that although there was no falling off in the quality of the exhibits of former years, £et in point of numbers they were sadly deficient. Four years ago the show was a much better one. Mr Buckland also stated he had expected a much greater number of exhibits. He said he feit sure there was in the locality a vast number of .animals which should* have been at the show, and hoped to see in the future more competion exhibited by breeders. He was dissatisfied with the weightcarrying hacks. Those exhibited as 12 stone hacks were too light, and although they could carry 12 stone, they could not do it on a journey. More attention should be paid to this class, as it was the most useful animals to breed. It is well to note these utterances of judges at our shows, as it enables us to " see ourselves as others see us,'* and point the road to success. The special prize of £1, given by Mr O'Brien, for tlie sire calculated to get good spring trap horses, was awarded to Mr Eolleston'' horse, Bryan O'Lynn.