CLASS A.—DRAUGHT STOCK.

North Otago Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 781, 12 November 1872, Page 2

CLASS A.— DRAUGHT STOCK.

The draught stock were the theme of universa! admiration j of sixty-nine exhibits in this class there bring scarcely one that did not deserve praise. The collection could only be described as magnificent, and it is hard to predict any but a prosperous future for a district possessing such grand stock. Among the exhibitors were the Hon. M. Holmes, the Hon. J. M'Lean, the N. Z. and A. Land Co , Mrs Ninimo (Taieri), Mr Duncan (Shag Valley), Messrs Fleming aud Hedley, Mculove, Little Brothers, J. Cameron, Richmond, Davie, Henderson, Easton, M'Intosh, GKllespie, Bulfour Brothers, Cruickshank, M'Naugbton, Smilie, Aikenhead, Shalders, Craig, M'Keown, Bannutyne (Wuikouititi), P. Orr, J. Barclay, and others, tho priucipal prize-takers being the Hon. M. Holmes, Messrs Fleming and Hedley, Menlove, Cameron, Gillespie, M'Naughton, Craig, and Bannatyne. Most of the exhibits were of the purest Clydesdale blood, a good proportion owniug descent from Mr Holmes' grand old horse " Lofty," or "Lofty V son, "Duke of Buccleugh," probably the finest horse in Australasia. And here we may observe that we are now reaping the benefit of Tasmania's mittake in parting with her best stock, a sure sign of decadence of the a^ri cultural interest, and would urge our far.ners to persevere in the wise policy which they hare adopted in eschewing breeding from weedy, third-rate sires, as a good horse is always worth his mouey, and good Btock will do more work at less cost than indifferent animals. For the medals offered for Eutires , there were 3 entries, viz. : The Hon. M. Holmes' "Duke of Buccleugb," Mr Duncan's " Young Hero." and Mrs Nimmo's " Comet," of which the Duke was facile princept, taking i the silver zneilal, " Young Hero " taking the bronze, and "Comet" a third prize. Tho " Duke," by " Lofty," out of " Countess," is a noble horse, as netir perfection as can be atr turned, in fact there is not a point about him with which fault could be found ; broad and deep in the chest, with splendid quarters, a magnificent fore-arm, a grand neck and head, a good, full eye, with plenty of fire and activity, yet in temper as docile as a lamb, he combines all the qualities to be sought for in a sire, indeed he is believed to be a better horso than the priae sire at the Victorian Show, recently sold for 1000 guineas. Although he easily I stood first, the company he was shown in were worthy competitors, being grand horses. The prize for best 2-year old entire brought 3 horses into the ring, two of them very promising youngsters, the silver medal falling to Mr B. Menlove's *' Crown Prince," a dark bay, bred by Mr Nimmo, and purchased, we understand, at the long figure of L300 ; aud the bronze medal to a chestnut by " Young Hero," shown by Messrs Little Brothers. Of yearling entires only one wai shown, viz., a colt, by " Major," the property of Mr John Cameron, Bound Hill, to whom was awarded a silver medal. Of brood mares in foal, or with foal at foot, there were nine exhibits, the Hon. M. Holmes' magnificent mare " Duchess," with foal at foot, by the "Duke of Buccleugh," taking first honors j a mare shown by Mr 'Robert Davie, second ; and Mr Menlove's u Marchioness," third. *' Marchioness " is the winner of first prizM at the Taieri, and was bought bj her present owner for 150 guineas. The next lot — Dry mares, 3 years and upwards, were the feature of the Show, ao far as draught stock is concerned, there being 12 exhibits, all of excellent quality* Messrs Fleming and Hedley carried off 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes with the mares "Blink Bonny," "Empress" (3 yeari), and "Nelly" (4 years) ; and Mr Gilleipie a fourth priz». "Blink Bouny " also took 1st prize in the same class last year, and this year was awarded the silver medal for belt mare in the yard. For this lait she was shown against Mr Holmes' "Duohcsi," and two others, and though " Duohess " beat her the last two jears, the tables were tamed this time, on what grounds is beit understood by tht judges, for it is only fair to state (bat tho decision was received by outsider! with general surprise, the almost universal impression, so far as we could gather, beiug that " Ducheii" would again hare beau the medallist. For pairs of draught mans there were seven entries, Mr W. CHllwpie taking the silver medal. Messrs Fleming and Hedlev second, and the N. Z. and A. Land Co. third honors. Of fillies (3-year olds) there were 5 exhibits, Flemiug and Hedley securing first place with "Empress," bj "Emperor," the N. Z. and A. Land Co. taking th» second prizu, aud the Hon. M. Holmes the third. j Of 2-year olds seven went into the ring, a very promising lot, the Silver medal falling to ; Mr Angus M'Naughton, for a very good filly by " The Duke," the bronze to Mr W. Smilie, and a third prize to Balfour Brothers. Mr Holmes exhibited two yearlings, of ! which one took the silver medal, Mr James Craig securing the bronze. Both prize winners by " Xhe Duke."

There was a splendid show of geldingi, 3 -years and upwards (11 exhibits), a handsome grey, the property of Mr Bannatyne, walking uwuy with the red ticket, und Mr Gtillespie carrying off 2nd, 3rd, and 4th honors.