MAHURANGI AGRICULTURAL ANNUAL SHOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5395, 3 March 1879, Page 3

MAHURANGI AGRICULTURAL ANNUAL SHOW.

[BY TELEGRAPH FROM OUR OWN REPORTER Warkworth, Feb. 21. The Show Commit ee consisted of Messrs J. Bowden (chairman), J. F. Wickham (secre tarv), H. Palmer, G. Moore, W. Wilson W. Macklow, and J. Williams. The judgci were Messrs. J. Bainbridge (Mangere) anc W. Payne (in the employment of Messrs Maclean and Co.) for horse?, cattle, sheep swine, field produce, aud implements. The show, upon the whole, was a verj poor one, far poorer than I had anticipated to see. lam told that sewral excuses have to be made, the greatest of which is the prevalence of bush fires, which prevented many from getting to the show. Messrs, J. and J. Hoed made 21 entries, but they were not represented at the show, their place being surrounded by dangerous bush fires. The forest in the neighbourhood of their residence places their steading in danger. Agricultural implements were represented by a single furrow plough by Mr. Norman McMillan, of Auckland; and a washingmachine, made by Mr. James Woods. Horses were fewer than cattle, and less worthy as a class. There were a few very fair sheep, but they were exceedingly dirty, accounted for, probably, by the dry weather, dusty roads, and equally dusty pastures. Swine were .very few, but there was ono moderately good boar. Dairy produce was better represented than at Waiuku Show last weekr Cheese, old and new, was fairly represented, so far as quality was concerned, but the exhibits were far too few for such an old-settled district as Mahurangi. Garden produce was | in fair quantity, and the quality was respectable. Grapes were fairly represented, there being no fewer than six distinct varieties shown. Apples were good, and in fair quantity, but those from Albertland exceeded local growth in number of varieties and in quantity. Mr. Gubbs was the chief exhibitor of apples. His were all named, au improvement upon the general method of exhibiting this fruit, but some of the names might fairly be questioned, unless local peculiarities of soil and climate may have developed changes not observable elsewhere. In the section of dairy and garden produce, Mr. F. Hewin, of Auckland, was the judge. Mr. James Coupland was to be with him, but he did not come forward. Three lime-kilns are at constant work in this district, and it appeared to me strange that no sample to represent this local industry was brought forward. The people appear very lethargic, aud possess an easy contentment which makes townspeople envy their philosophical calmness. The weather left nothing PKIZE-LIST. The following is the prize-list : — B»rtou*s bull calf, which took* Morrin's spccial prize, was bred by Messrs. T. and S. Morrin, and was sold by them to Mr. Barton. CATTLE. Bull of any age.—Two entries, one exhibit. J. S. Williams, Ist prize. Bull under 2 years.—One entry. W. Wedding, Ist prize. Cow in milk.—Three entries, two exhibits. Macklow aud Sons, Ist and 2nd prizes. Cow in calf.—Five entries, four exhibits. Wedgwood Boon, Ist prize; Macklow and Sons, 2nd. Heifer under three years.—Three entries, two exhibits. J. B. Jordan, Ist prize; J. S. Williams, 2nd. Spccial prize of £10 10s offered by Messrs. T. and S. Morrin. Calf under 12 months.—Two entries. Joseph Barton, Ist prize. Also, Champion Prize for tho best bull on tlie ground. Heifer Calf under 12 months.—Two entries. J. S. Williams, Ist and 2nd prizes. V HORSES. X Draught Entire.—Young Robbie Burns, ex liibited by W. Palmer, Port Albert. No prize iwarded. Pair of Horses.—One entry, no exhibit. Brood Marc Foal at foot. —One entry. Hood Bros., Ist prize. Colt or Filly under 3 years.—Two entries, sne exhibit. W. Wilson, Ist prize. Mar? with Foal at foot. —One entry. Hood Bros., Ist prizo. Hack or Roadster. —Three entries. None .vorthy of a prize. Mare or Gelding for agricultural purposes.— Pour entries. W. Palmer, Port Albert, Ist n*izc; Jas. Clayden, 2nd. SHEEP. Ram of any age.—Three entries. Hood Srothers, Ist and 2nd prizes. Ewes, reared lambs this season.—Four en;ries, two exhibits. R. Phillips, Ist prize ; G. Moor, 2nd. Ewe Hoggetfc.— Five entries, two exhibits. X. Phillips, Ist prize ; G. Moor, 2nd. Ewe Lambs. —Five entries, three exhibits. J. Phillips, Ist prizo ; G. Moor, 2nd. Fat Sheep.—Two entries, R. Phillips, Ist irize ; J. Phillips, 2nd. Ram Lamb under eight months. —Three mtries. No prize awarded. SWINE. Boar any age. —Three entrios. Macklow and >ons, Ist prize ; H. Pulham, 2nd. Sows which have had farrow.—Two entries. Jacklow and Sons, Ist and 2nd prizes. Sow under six months.—Two entries. Mackow and Sons, Ist and 2nd prizes. FIELD PRODUCE. Wheat.—One entry. W. Wilson, Ist prize. Barley.—One ontry. W. Wilson, Ist prize. Oats. —One entry. W. Wilson, Ist prize. Horse-beans. —Three entries. Millin, Ist >rize ; Willetts, 2nd. Peas. —Two entries. Millin, Ist prize; W. Vilson, 2nd. Ryegrass.—Seven entries. Martin, Ist rize; W. Buchanan, 2nd. All other samples ommended. Cocksfoot. —Three entries.—J. Phillips, Ist irize; W. Wilson, 2nd. Other samples comlended. Kidney Potatoes. —Two entiles, one exhibit, lhaw, Ist prize. Potatoes of any other sort.—Five entries, our exhibits. W» Wilson, Ist prize; Shaw, !nd. Seod Onions.—One entry. R. Scanderret, Ist >rize. Potato Onions.—One entry. R. Taylor, Ist irize. Mangold, long red.—Four entries. R. Tayor, Ist prize ; R. Buchanan, 2nd ; Jordan, 3rd. Mangold, globe.—Two entries. R. Scanderet, Ist prize ; Jordan, 2nd. Turnips. — One entry. W. Wilson, Ist prize. Wool.—One entry. R. Phillips, Ist prize. minv rnoDUCE. Butter, fresh.—Four entries. Macklow, Ist irize ; Clements, 2nd. Splendid samples. Butter, salt. —Two entries. Macklow, Ist nize ; no second prize. Cheese, new.—Three entries. W. Wilson, st prize ; Dibble, 2nd. Cheese, old. —Two entries. I'ibble, Ist prize; V. Wilson, 2nd. FRUIT. Plate Applos.—Four entries Lethonen, Ist ►rize; Jordan, 2nd; Clements, highly commended. Dessert Apples.—Special prize recommended o D. Gubb. Pears.—Three entries. Clements, Ist prize ; 2nd. Plums.—Three entries. Morrison, Ist prize ; ordan, 2nd. Grapes.—Three entries. Shaw, Ist prize; lorrison, 2nd. Clements, highly commended. Collection of Fruit.—Two entries. Morrison, st prize ; Clements, 2nd. Collection of Jollies.—One entry. Percy, Ist rize. Peaches.—Clements, Ist prize. Maize (Willetts). —Three entries. First prize, or early Canada; 2nd prize, for later kiud; nd other sample commended. Pumpkins, very large.—Willetts, Ist prize. Washing Machine (made by J. Woods). —Ist irize. Single Furrow Plough.—Ont- entry. Nornan McMillan. Auckland, Ist Among other entries prevented from :oming forward in consequence of the bush ires was Wickham's bull, which is regarded is the best bull in the district. If all the mtries of stock had come forward, the show ,vould have beeu above the average. At 3 o'clock dinner was served in a very jreditable manner in the Masonic Hall, by Mr. Irwiu, of the Warkworth Hotel. The linner was abundaut, and well served, and :he table and hall tastefully decorated. The ia)l was hung with evergreens, and the tvholo arrangements reflected credit upon Mr. Irwin's skill. In few country places ;ould the same comfort aud accommodation jc found. Various toasts were drunk and responded to, and aitogether a very enjoyible evening was spent. A ball in the public nail concluded the day's proceedings.