THIRD DAY OF THE SHOW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15482, 13 December 1913, Page 9

THIRD DAY OF THE SHOW.

' MARRED BY WEATHER. ;: : KOBE HORSES JUDGED. : -i FINE DISPLAY OF PRODUCE. & CONTESTS FOR "PEOPLE'S P ■•• ' DAY." '■'■\ LARGE ATTENDANCE EXPECTED.

: Weather in the highest degree dispiriting has thus far been the principal feature of ''the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Dominion Show. Yesterday was the third day of the show, and, next to "People's Day," it should have been the most popular. But rain, which again fell, in frequent showers, and a strong boister- ' ous wind, made conditions most uncomfortable, ("id the crowd, though the largest since the show opened, was not of the dimensions hoped for by the association. There is little doubt that thus far, from the treasurer's point of view, the show has been a disappointment. The attendance of the public on the first day was practically nil, on Thursday it was disappointing, and yesterday it was, though , larger, even more disappointing, for Friday or ehow week is generally a day on . which many thousands of people visit the grounds, However, the show officials are still hopeful. The prevailing winds have moved gradually round from east to west, J and there / are reasonable prospects that to-day, the last day of the show, and ''Peoplo's Day," will be fine. Large [ Lumbers of persons arc certain to travel into town by the special trains from north and south, and if the sun shines thousands ,of city folk will seize the opportunity to pay their deferred visit to the show. judging yesterday was advanced a further stage, and all sections, except light and draught horses, are now completed. Nearly all the horse championships have still 'to be'awarded, and this matter will be attended to to-day, but practically all the championships v in the other sections have been allotted. The association's arrangements in connection with the show have been excellent and, except the persistent rain, nothing has interfered with the work of the judges. With the opening yesterday of the horticultural department, and the display of farm produce, the range of Things which may be inspected with interest and pleasure by the visitors has been considerably increased. ' A young Australian hunter, Bayfield, : which is included in the fine team of "horses which Mr. E. Short has brought up from Feilding, will give an exhibition jumjj to-day. In Australia, this animal's best high jump was 6ft lOin, and long jump 53ft, and his owner has decided that, when the high jump competition is concluded to-day, he will have the bar raised ■four inches above the best recorded jump, and he declares that Bayfield will clear it- without any preparation. .The, classes remaining to be judged in j the draught horse section include many e horses owned and worked by city firms, .'end the latter have pointed out that it' would save them inconvenience if their ■stock was judged on Saturday, the weekly half-holiday. The suggestion was agreed to, and for that reason the programme was ' altered and no draught horses were judged yesterday. They will appear before the judges to-day. ~ ' ' The only championship awarded yesterday was in the pedigree dairy Shorthorn class. Mr. George Hall's bull, The Laird, received the coveted ribbon.

LIGHT HORSE SECTION. ; W. FINE , LOT OF HUNTERS.' : 7?.' ■;• There were numerous competitors for- .> . ; ward in practically every class judged in the saddle-horse and hunter sections, but •'V'the.outstanding quality of some of. the •■" animals shown brought them the red • ribbon again and again. : :. Yesterday's jumping competitions ..;.■ aroused a good deal of interest. The high jump for novices resulted in Mr. Dyer's ;'v Starlight getting over 4ft Bin. This ~was ■r. followed by- an exhibition, jump by Mr. E. .: Short's new Australian horse, Bayfield. The bar was raised 4in, to sft. and' Bay- • field, ridden by Mrs. Beck, of Palmerston ;•.- North, a. well-known horsewoman, cleared •'•': it in one jump with apparent ease. He • : will give another exhibition jump to- ; day. There was a big field of keen com- .• petitors before the judge in the leaping •/match. ■ Some of the riders contended . that^the-test was not- sufficiently far./reaching. The winner bettered his win- ■:■;■ ning jump/(24Jft) by doing 25ft llin, while • y the horse placed third (Yankee), in his - trial jump, did 26ft lOin. : .;.: The military competitions, in which a r .'; considerable number of horses took, part, :.:.;.'kept the attention of spectitors engaged j during a, part of the afternoon. In the "best section of mounted rifles" competition the judges decided that the men were ' not' properly equipped, and refused to ■- : ',; award the first prize (£8).

FARM PRODUCE AND FLOWERS.

SOME KEEN CONTESTS. ~'There was an exceptionally fine display of agricultural and horticultural produce, and home industries. Though the entries of: the former were not very numerous they were not lacking in quality. The horticultural entries were universally ad- . mired, the exhibition of flowers in particular being of great beauty. The sweet pea classes brought forth keen competition, and. the blooms shown attracted considerable attention from visitors. There was an excellent showing of carnations and picotees. The table decorations were tastefully arranged, and evoked many expressions. of admiration from visitors. Entries in the ham, bacon, poultry, and egg sections were somewhat disappointing, fee being hardly any competition. In the bread and cake classes the competition wjg keener perhaps than in any other of tho home industry classes, and tho judges -were set a difficult task to select prize-winners.