What Judges Thought At Kaikohe Show

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1948, Page 6

What Judges Thought At Kaikohe Show

KAIKOHE, Tue. (Sp.)—Following are some of the comments of judges of the various sections in the Kaikohe A., P. and H. Association’s spring show, held on Saturday:—

Hacks and Hunters (Judge, Mr M. McDonald, Whangarei): Jumping was very good among the hunters, especially in the champion hunter class, where some first-rate performances were put up, resulting in a keen contest. The horses were well brought forward and were confidently and effectively ridden. The place-getters in the champion event were worthy of any show in New Zealand. Entries were well above expectations.

The fact that the champion Ayrshire cow was chosen as “champion cow, all breeds,” was a fine tribute to the high overall standard of this class.

Pigs.— (Judge, Mr T. Gough, Kamo): Entries in general were light but there was a strong section of both baconers and porkers. Main fault of the exhibits was excessive fat. Pigs of the North are of a higher quality than those of the Waikato and, in fact could hold their own anywhere Northland College's fine array of mixed breeds was displayed and took a good share of the awards. I would impress upon breeders that Northern pigs can be made into the finest in New Zealand, particularly as to Berkshires and Large Whites. Bogs.—(Judge, Mr H. T. Parkin Whangarei): It was unfortunate that the Marples kennel show at Auckland clashed with the Kaikohe date, since dogs from Whangarei and Dargaville travelled south for the bigger fixture Numbers shown at Kaikohe, while not large, were encouraging. Sporting clogs were outstanding. English and Irish setters and pointers were most pleasing. There was a good wirehaired that might have been shown to better advantage had its coat beer trimmed. There was a good entry of smooth-haireds. Public interest ir the judging and display of dogs showed a good sporting spirit.

Among the hacks, entries were again pleasing and the best competitors were also good enough to go into any show. The champion hack was an outstanding animal. Ponies (Judge, Mr N. Sloane, Whangarei): Good entries in all classes—better than I have seen at Kaikohe in the past—were in evidence. The prize winning ponies were good, especially in the champion pony event. Condition and quality were first-class. The riders were well up to scratch and a fair number of them could compare performances with those seen at other shows in the North.

Jerseys (Judge. Mr N. Trotter. Papakura): The standard of slock was very high. The in-milk stock showed distinct dairy ability and reflected the progress of the Jersey breed in the North during recent years. It was a pleasure to have been called on to judge them.

Highland Dancing.— Judge Mrs D McDonald, Whangarei): A striking feature was the noticeable degree of progress _ made by local dancers. Organisation was exceptional. As was expected, girls from farther south were winners in most events, having had much greater experience on the whole. They displayed a high standard of dancing. The senior hornpipe was the most outstanding of the five competitive dances arranged. Competitors in the Northland championship fling were barely of championship standard. However, such an event will aid considerably in raising the standard of Highland dancing locally. Junior girls must devote more time to practice. Nonetheless, the setup generally was a credit to dancers teachers and show organisers.

Ayrshires (Judge, Mr A. Weir, Horotiu); It was a pleasant surprise to see such a high standard in both bull and cow classes. Only in the handling did the champion aged bull lose points. The two-year-old reserve champion bull was a beautiful animal and, when fully developed, will be a certain show champion. The champion cow was a great animal that would hold its own anywhere in Now Zealand. Tlje reserve champion was just a shade off bloom but was still a fine specimen of its breed. Yearlings and calves could show a little improvement in their type. The bloom of all classes was exceptional.