MANAWATU A. AND P. SHOW

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5734, 1 November 1905, Page 5

MANAWATU A. AND P. SHOW

Special to the “N.Z. Times.’ PALMERSTON, October 31. Tho entries for the annual show of the Manawatn A. and P. Association, which opens to-morrow, are 800 in adTunco of the previous your fuo chiol increases being iu liorscs and dogs, ibo entries for this and last year arc as

The exhibits at this show are twelve times as large as at the show in 1891. This is the twentieth annual show of the society, the first having been held on November 19th, 188 C. The.attendance on that occasion was estimated at over 2100. There were 17S0 tickets sold at the gates, 200 members’ tickets in currency, and 100 tickets for exhibitors and their employees, llegret was expressed at the fact that very few entries of thoroughbred horses were received. There was only one entry in the class for thoroughbred mares. In draught horses, however, the entry was better. A pleasing feature of the cattle exhibition was that entries were received from as far abroad as Hawera and Patea. The lato Mr Fantham, a well-known Hawera breeder, was successful with some. of the famous Duchess of Dcrrimut strain. There was only one exhibitor in grade shorthorns, but in purebred He ref ends competition was keen. As regards sheep, here is a striking passage from the report which appeared in the Manawatu “ Daily Times ” of that date;—“ There is no question in tho mind of anybody who has carefully considered the matter that tho strong point of the, show—in fact, the feature of the day—was tho splendid oxliibition of sheep in all classes. This would appear to indicate that tho staple product of this district is likely to be wool or mutton. Tho fact cannot be lost eight of that, in appearance at any rate, the sheep were equal, or superior, to anything of the kind seen on the coast. The fact that there were 120 entries in the class ont of a total of 290, shows the interest manifested in sheep on this part of the coast, and tho anxiety to obtain tho purest strains and the best class. It would appear from a glance at the programme that Lincolns and Romney Marshes receive by far tho greatest support hero, as there arc only six entries in the other, classes. Altogether, the class for fat sheen is one which naturally attracts great attention on this coast, and now that there is direct communication with Wellington, the breeding of sheep for freezing purposes will he greatly enhanced.”

follows;— 1904. 1905. Horses and competitions 495 720 Cattle 225 211 Sheep 48G 483 Pigs Dogs 93 128 no 237 Poultry 350 232 Produce, industrial, etc. -100 491 Vehicles ISO 140 Stalls 5,000 5,070 7,416 8,293