MANAWATU SHOW.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5731, 28 October 1905, Page 7

MANAWATU SHOW.

A FARMERS’ OUTING. Palmerston North being tho natural centro for all the agricultural districts of tho North Island, tho show ground of tho Manawatu and West Coast A. ami P. Association has become tho natural convincing ground for tho breeders and stock-owners of tho Island. It is hero that the cream of tho North Island stock every year. Cattle, horses, and sheep that have been successful elsewhere conic hero to crown their laurels, and to compete for tho largest money pmo-list in New Zealand, £lBlO for this year. What tho Manawatu Association prides itself on is not the mere number of its entries, hut the comprehensiveness of its classes and tho quality of tho exhibits. The breeder who has examined the exhibits at Palmerston North has nothing else that the North. Island can teach him. He has seen tho CTouie do la creme.

Tho horses this year number 700 in all classes and competitions—a considerable increase on previous years. Tho figures for cattle and sheep, via., 220 and 480, aro about tho same level, while pigs, at HO, show a slight advance. Tho cattle and sheep entries embrace a greater variety of breeds than is to bo found on any other showground in Mow Zealand. In tho dog exhibition, which is under tho auspices of tho Manawatir Kcnnol Club, there arc 240 entries, representing owners from Auckland and many parts, of tlio South island. Tlio poultry division tills year appears as a utility bird show. Tho very full prize-list from tho fanciers’ point of view has been provided for tho poultry classes for tho Manawatu Poultry Association’s show, which is worked in conjunction with tlio winter show. Tho industrial division comprises horticulture, homo industries. There are nearly a hundred entries. Realising that a great number of tlio people who attend the show are nob farmers at all, tho association has forty competition classes, which have attracted 240 entries. Prominent amongst these is tho interprovincial meeting of the mounted rifle corps squadrons to compete for a valuable challenge cup and £4G in prizes. There is also tho hunters’ competition for gentleman riders. In three events there aro ninety competitors, and amongst tho prizes is a forty guinea challenge cup, tho Manawatu Ladies’ Huntore Challenge Cup, to replace that won last year. These events are distributed over the three days.

Tho implement display at Palmerston is now regarded as the largest in tho Island. Tlio Manawatu show is always regarded as an occasion for sight-seeing, and tho grandstands on tho ground will accommodate 4500 persons, besides which there is a large area covered with buildings. Tho association has 1400 financial members, and its gatetakings amount to £llOO, a sufficient indication of tho importance of the event.