AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOWS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOWS.

Christchurch, November 12

The annual show ot the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was opened to-day, the weather being beautiful and the attendance good for a first day, which is devoted to judging. If the weather remains fine, of which there is every prospect, there is sure to be an enormous attendance to-morrow, the “People’s Day.” Though the total number of exhibits is some 50 less than at the show last year, the display is a very fine one. There was a falling off in the numbers of the sheep, but their quality was on the whole admirable ; so also was that of the cattle, the Ayrshires in particular being magnificent and splendidly turned out. Draught horses were not a particularly strong class, but some very promising young mares were shown. The pigs were the best lot ever seen on the ground. There is a fine display of machinery and implements, and a creditable show of New Zealand manufactures. The dairy produce and cured and preserved meats are also good. Medals were awarded as follows: — Sheep Merino, fine combing ram, J. Murchison ; strong combing ram, A. A. McMaster; ewe, W. Maciarlane ; English Leicester ram, P. C. Threlkeld ; ewe, D. Grant ; Border Leicester ram and ewe, Little Bros. ; Lincoln ram and ewe, New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Moeraki estate \ Romney Marsh ram, trustees of Hon J. Fulton ; ewe, J. Reid ; Southdown ram, S. Garforth ; ewe, John Deans ; Shropshire Down ram, R. Parry; ewe, C. Deal. Cattle —Shorthorn bull, W. Gabbie’s Peers Florist; cow, with two of her progeny, John Dean’s Duchess of Brunswick. Horses —Draught entire, J. McKellar’s Rob Boy; mare, J. Small. The light horses will bo judged to-morrow. WANGANUI A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. Wanganui, November 12. The annual show of the Wanganui Agricultural aud Pastoral Association was held to-day, and in point of numbers and quality of entries it was the most succesful for many years. All the main classes showed an increase of fully 10 per cent, on last yoar, while the horses were considerably in excess. F. C. Sparke’s Somnus secured the championship in thoroughbreds; while in draughts the entire championship fell to Grant’s Clydesdale Hero. Has tie’s Heath erbell took the champion for ; a filly, Moore’s Hunter carried off the championship honours in shorthorns, and J. 11. Nixon had the best exhibition of Jersey cattle. F. Iredale had all his own way in Down sheep, and W. Wilson secured first and champion for Lincoln ram and ewe. There was a good show of implements, dogs, poultry, etc. WOODVTLLE A. AND P. ASSOCIATION. Woodvillk, November 12. Horses, sheep and cattle are well represented, and there is a good display of implements and seeds. In thoroughbred horses, Forerunner is first and champion, and in draught horses is first and champion. In cattle, Mr R. Smith, of Onslow Park, “scooped the pool ” in the Shorthorn classes, and Mr W. Souness in the Ayrshire classes. Messrs B. Smith, Harris Bros, and B. Tanner are the most successful exhibitors iu sheep. Two accidents happened in the hunters’ jumping contest. Ernest Nelson, son of Mr W. Nelson, of Tomoana, safely piloted Satanella over all the jumps, but when clearing the last jump, which was the brush, he struck the rail heavily, cleanly breaking young Nelson’s right leg. The second accident was to Mr E. M. Lewis, owner aud riderof Monk. Rasper and Monk had to go over the course for first place, when Monk tumbled over a hurdle and MiLewis had his collarbone broken. The Premier arrived on the ground at 4 o’clock, accompanied by Mr S. Camel], M.11.E. They were met and welcomed by the president and officers of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association.