WOODVILLE SHOW.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4881, 5 February 1903, Page 7

WOODVILLE SHOW.

(By Our Special Reporter.) Tne eleventh annual snow under :lie au,-,p;ce.-> cl Uio \\ ooUvillo Agricultural aim Pastoral Association was held at Uie racecourse yesi.onlay, under condllious of the most gratifying nature. The any, aitiiougn ciua, uua warm, and as there v. as every mu’iceineiit for the piimic to lie present the attendance was entirely saii.-nuctory. Of course, judgetl by the shows held on tiio \\ est Cua-st, tin; VVoodvilie fixture is yet in the ways of small tilings, bur, a., it is principally like effort of uie farmers in the immediate neighbourhood, it is a highly creditable allair, and must conduce largely to the improvement of the stock of the district. With the exception of 1002, the entries show a considerable improvement on any previous, year, but Uio slight falling off from last year is regarded only as a temporary deficiency, duo entirely to the wretched season. Tins weakness is noticeable principally in the sheep classes, where the numbers are [ewer and the condition lower than last y<’ar'l he Lincolns wero especially an indifferent exhibit, tiio siieep showing neither Mood nor condition, giving evidence of the havoc wrought by the recent rough weather. Mr F. E. Berry, Uio wcuknowu W airarapa breeder, succeeded in carrying off both championships, but oy au (unfortunates mistake a ram belonging to Mr Harris, of Woodville, was emitted from the catalogue, and was thus debarred from competing. Had lie been properly entered by lus owner, there was no doubt in the judge’s niina that he would have been champion ram. In tho Lincoln class tho prizes wero fairlv evenly divided between Messrs Furry, Quirko, Harris and Murray, but the display as a whole was poor compared to that of Jast year. In Romneys, Mr W. B. Alien, of Clarevillo, Wairarapa, practically earned all before him, securing eight firsts, as well as tho two championships. His chief opponents wero Messrs Dorset, of Carterton, and Harding, of Palmerston. As a class the Romneys wen exceedingly good, being shown in better condition than any other class. Uio two champion, sheen wero particularly fine types. In English Lolcestprs competition was decidedly keen between Messrs Cooper, Lancaster and Harding. Uio former showed the champion ram, Flaxton, bred by Mr P. G. Threlkold, while Mr’ Lancaster obtained tho coveted honour with a fine well-shaped ewe. Mr Harding exhibited eight sheep and secured six prizes, the judge in some instances a difficulty in separating the exhibits of these three breeders. Uio miscellaneous classes brought out a fair exhibit, tho honours of tho day falling chiefly to Mr W . H. ixelson, whoso irons of five owes and wethers could not bo excelled by anything elso on tiio ground. Mr R. E. Beattie, of Woodville, also has some weli-carcd-for crossbred wethers in the pens, and next to Mr Kelson. ho was the most successful exhibitor. Mr A. J. Cooper, of Gladstone, was tiio only exhibitor in Shropshire Downs, but bis sucop, biod by Mr D. Grant, of Wanganui, were so good that the judge awarded a prize in each case. Tho champion Southdown ram ana owo wero shown by Mr S. R. Lancaster, but Mr A. J. Cooper, who has only been breeding Soutlidowns for about three years, pressed him closely. In most of the classes the Hampshire Downs were conspicuous by their absence. Fat sheep , -were not a particularly strong class, nor very meritorious, tho effect of tho bad season being seen in thoucase in a. very pronounced way. MrW. B. Allen won the points prize in sheep, with 68 points, Mr Lancaster (61) second, and Mr Perry (62) third. _ in tho shorthorn cattle tiio exhibits were of fair quality, but tho absence of any well-known breeders reduced the standard considerably. , Uio champion bull proved to bo Mr Montciith’s roan, bred by Air Ratliff one. of Waipawa, while Mr P. J. Quirk’s white cow Sarina, bred ffiv the trustees of the late Mr D. MoMaster, showed herself to bo such a good typo of shorthorn that the purple card could not be withheld from her. Tho greatest improvement in the show of cattle was observed in tho Ayrshire class, where the entry was not only largo, but tho quality good enough for any show. This is easily understood when the presence of those well-known Manawatu breeders, Messrs Lusford and Staindon, is noticed amongst the competitors. Tho championship in tho classes for bull and cow- fell to My Luxford’s Arthur and Saccharine 111. respectively. His victory in this class was rendered more easy by tho fact that Mr Standen’s cow Primrose IY. was not a competitor, owing to becoming unwell while being loaded at the Palmerston Railway Station. In section 17, yearling bull, the judge awarded the prize to Mr Walker’s Lord Kyle, but on tho ground that Lord Kyle was a two-year-old, not a yearling, Mr S. Standen lodged a protest. The lai-geness of tho entry and the excellence of tho quality in the Ayrshire class prove ,thc growing popularity of this breed as milkers. Tho Jerseys were a very mixed lot, some good animals being shown in company with poor ones. The pick were thoso of Mr S. R. Lancaster, of Palmerston. whoso Primrose XXIV., an unbeaten animal, and champion at Palmerston last year, secured tho championship in cows, her owner also securing five other awards. iMr Hoary Newport, of Pahiatua, exhibited tho champion! Jersey bull. Mrs E. Jones, of Masterton road, secured first prize in dairy cattle, judged oit tho milk test. Tho show of horses was, on the whole, only moderate. Tho draughts were a poor lot, there being only two aged stallions in the ring, Mr A. Fraser’s Earl of Salisbury, a champion both in Australia and New Zealand, being placed first, and Mr H-. McDonald’s Prince of Wales second. Tho brood mares showed little of that quality which might have been expected in so fine a district, and wero generally below the average. Mr B. D. Knight’s wero tiio best pair of plough horses, and with four other winsYo his credit, he will win tho points prize in horses with twenty-two points. The hack classes were well entered, and closely competed for. The buggy borsos were a good class, as were alscTtho horses shown in dog-carts. The thoroughbred class suffered from the absence of Swordfish, who did not put in an appearance, and there was consequently no competition, but- the Goveminent horso Basuto "was on tile oTouad, and xras greatly admired. The best pair of carriage horses were shown by Mr T. Murphy, of Ballance, and a very handsome pair they were, having lost none of their stylo since they won at Masterton and Woodville last year. Mr Henry Strong’s Dick won tno troophorse class, and Mrs E. D. Browne s Kairanga tho lady’s hack. There were only two exhibitors in the big classes, and both of these hail from Palmerston. Messrs Slack Pros, secured the championship in Berkshirns, while Mr E. White annexed all the

honours in tho Yorkshire and Tamworth classes. Mr White wi:is_ the points pi-izo in pigs with -11 points. There was a strong stow of dogs, Mr S. R. Lancaster’s Laddie being tirswn smooth-coated collio dogs, and -wr Drager’s Glen first in bitches. Air H. Made-lev’s Pilferer v. as first in the foxterriers, and the same competitors Hazelcicro Lass won in the class for bitches. , Tiio poultry was as good as could tie expected at this lime of the year,_ and perhaps a better display than inis been seen at Woodviilo before. ’J lie principal prize-takers were the Rev Canon Webb, Onnoiidville, and Air J- Cunningiiame, Palmerston. Tiio homo industries brought out a fair number of entries. Some excellent samples of home-made butter and bread wero shown. Airs T. H. Aalker seeming first prize in each. Tiio display of implements was very meagre, only live firms being represented. Two linns only exhibited Messrs Horne and Riley’, of Woodviilo, showing a spring dray and carts suitable for country work, while Messrs Rouse and Hurrell, cf Av ellingtcn, shotted vehicles of a lighter class. Displays were also made by the North Island Bacon Company, the Kawko’s Bay \\ ooiIcn Company and tiio L.l* .C.A., of Palmerston, all of which served to enliven tho view and add a business-like appearance to the proceedings. The afternoon was given up t° f* ie riding and driving competitions, a large crowd of people being greatly entertained by tho efforts of the competitors. Tiio section jumping competition was won by Sergeant Strong’s section of tho Pahiatua Mounted Rifles, 'trooper Uoakc’s section, from Danuevirke, being second. Tho latter wero complimented on their appearance, hut their jumping and leading were considerably short of their opponents. Tho pony race brought out a field of tea, and created a great deal of interest. Mr C. Oilivor’s Beans led easily from tho start, and being well ridden, won by a good four lengths from Air W. Dale’s Daystar, Air A. Quinlan’s Duchess third. A protest was entered. The pony leaping competition was won by Air C. AlcDonuol’s Ted, but a protest was entered on the grounds that tiio pony was over height. Tho ladies’ driving competition was won by Mrs A. McCormick, of Woodville, Airs R-. D. Knight, of Pahiatua, second, and Airs J. H. Harris, of AYoodvillc, third. Tho leaping competition brought out fourteen competitors, and was won by Air W. Hassail’s Pickpocket, after somo fine jumping by most of the competitors. Tiio wood-chopping contest caused the usual interest, and after an. exciting go, was won by C. A. Borkham in smin 35 3-ssoc, G. Young second. Tiio walking race brought out only threo entries, J. H. Bennett’s Rata catching tho judge’s eye. The sawing competition created al.mosfc as much excitement as the woodchopping, tho supporters of each pair urging them to. greater exertions. G. and F. Johansen finished first in 33 2-5 sec, C. Bonbo-w and G. Young being second.