CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S SHOW. (From "Press" of 10th instant.)

North Otago Times, Volume VII, Issue 156, 20 November 1866, Page 3

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION'S SHOW. (From " Press" of 10th instant.)

We have pleasure in ha\ ing to record one of the most satisfactory exhibitions ever held by the Cantcrbxiry Agricultural and Pastoral Associatiou; and from the impetus given to the objects which the society has in view, we augur that the best results will, flow from the exhibition held yesterday. "We believe that some of the classes might have been better competed for ; but knowing that many of the choicest stock are, comparatively speaking, debarred from entering the lists by the great distance which they would have to be brought to Christchurch, and also on account of the sheep fanners being very busj just at this season with their clip, we could hardly look for Merinos showing up in great numbers. Paddock-fed sheep, especially of the longwoolled class, were exhibited well ; and from the interest evinced by the outside public, as well as those who cultivate this class of sheep, the exhibition owed one of its greatest attractions. A few Cheviots were shown, as also five pens of Southdowns and llampshiredowns ; but hardly any competition took place in them, and the duties of the judges were therefore light. In Merinos, Mr J. E. Brown and Mr Marmaduke Dixon were the chief competitors, with fine animals. Eor Leicesters, Mr Grigg was the most fortunate in carrying off the chief honors. Cotswolds were represented by Mr Whincop's best rams; and the prizes in Lincolns all fell to Mr Grigg. The Romney Marsh breed were well represented, Mr Hamilton Ward being first for the best ram above eighteen months, Mrs Carter's Jonathan however coming close up. Mrs Carter's Hero carried off the prize amongst young rams. The ewe prizes all fell to the Messrs Pavitt. Mr Caverhill carried off all the firsts in Cheviots, and Mr Ladbrooke in Southdowns, and Mr Washhourne, as usual, was strong in Hampshiredowns. Extra stock were largely exhibited. The cattle shown were largely in excess of last year, and, with few exceptions were a credit to the exhibitors ; amongst the list of prize-takers we find many of the best cattle breeders in he province ; such names as Messrs G. Gould, F. Delamaine, J. Page, R. Docker, Gebbie, Tisch, Fantham, Caverhill, Cox, Richards, and Mrs Deans are a sufficient guarantee that Canterbury is not falling back in this, one of her chief sources of wealth. The show of horses was well worthy of a visit

in itself, especially the draught entires and other draught stock ; and so near in merit were many of the animals shown, that the judges had considerable difficulty in coming to their decisions. We miist in justice to them say that their awards were never more satisfactory than at this exhibi* tion, and this is mainly to be attributed to the care they took in judging the points as well as the paces of the stock submitted to them. Young draught horses showed care on the part of the breeders, and we were much struck to see the number of awards gained by King Fergus's stock. The three-year-olds' prize was gained by the same filly which won the cup presented by the late L>. Innes Esq., to King Fergus's foals two years ago ; which cup is possessed by that veteran breeder of draught stock — Mr W. Norman, We must not omit to mention a fine pair of draught mares exhibited by Mr W. Boag. In thoroughbreds, Bay Camden was first. Hackney roadsters and carriage horses were shown in creditable numbers ; and of ponies there was a fine exhibition ; Mr J. T. Fisher's two little mares were not to be beaten — Lightning taking first place, and Stella second. Pigs, poultry, sheep ''dogs, "butter and 'cheese, wcie poorly represented. The show of implements was highly creditable, although not vaiied. — [The above was crowded out of our last issue. — Ed. O. T.]