THE CHRISTCHURCH SHOW

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6052, 9 November 1906, Page 8

THE CHRISTCHURCH SHOW

SFCCESS OF NORTH ISLANDERS.

THE SHEEP SECTION. (From Our Special Reporter.) , CHRISTCHURCH, November 8. Tho success of tho North Island stock at tile show created quite a sensation amongst exhibitors here. Speaking of the invasion the ‘ 'Press ’ says:—“Some of tho cattle on view, particularly the North Island lot, were considered to be superb, and by far tlio finest ever scon on tho grounds. Tho “Lyttelton Times” says:—'“Perhaps the most notable feature (in sheep) was a very determined invasion by North Island breeders, whose presence added considerable interest to the competitions. Their success in annexing a substantial share of the awards should guarantee their presence at future gatherings.” To-day opened very close and sultry, with tbieatening rain. The attractions elsewhere were fewer, and those in tho showground greater than on the previous days; consequently there was a considerably larger crowd at the show. Unfortunately the weather broke about half-past three in tne afternoon, and an otherwise pleasant day’s outing was spoilt. A large number of North Island visitors wore present, and his Excellency the Governor paid the show a brief visit, there being also on the ground the Minister and Secretary for Agriculture. PIGS. There was an excellent _ lot of pigs penned, the Berkshires being particularly strong. Tam worths, which have been declining in popularity, came out very well G. E. Rhodes carried off all the awards in the Berkshire section, and C. Brice was equally successful in Yorkshires. The bulk of the awards in Tamwortlis went to H. Stuart, who also divided hoqpura in Largo Blacks with AV. Seth Smith. SHEEP. Canterbury is the homo of the colony’s great sheep industry, and it was, theiefore, to be expected that the sheep section should be a record for tho colony. The entries totalled 1070, and the quality throughout was of a very high standard. It was anticipates that Australian sheep would bo exhibited on such an important occasion, but the only outside sheep to come into competition with representatives of South Island flocks wore those of North Island flock masters, and worthily they upheld tho reputation of? the North. Mr E. E. Short, of Waituna West, had a splendid victory in Romneys, securing two gold medals (for the ram and ewe championships), the two shields offered By the Romney Sheepbreeders’ Association, a special of £7 5s for tho champion ram, a special of £5 5s for tho champion ewe, and the points prism Mr William Perry, the well-known Wairarapa breeder, scored heavily in Lincolns, and held his own in English Leicester's,- and Nelson Brothers, cf Hawkes Bay, practically swept the heard in Southdowns.

The merino.class, it is gratifying to know, was stronger than in past yearn in both-numbers and quality. That merino blood is being maintained at a high standard is a guarantee that the quality of our wool will not decline to any extent. The crossbred wool trade aft tho present time is a highly profitable one, but if_ this colony is to hold it, high quality must bo maintained and the merino sheep is tho one means whereby this may be effected. With development of the fat lamb trade much of the lower country formerly given over to the merino is being depastured by long-wools, but the high country in both islands must continue to be grazed by merino flocks. It has been thought by wmo sheep men that the Cheviot would prove a formidable rival to tho merino on account of its hardy nature and it 1 ' general purpose characteristics, hut the. experience of some Otago breeders who introduced tho Cheviot does not bear out this impression. There the Cheviots were introduced, but their light fleeces proved them to be a bad investment and they have been discarded for the merino. The merino is tho foundation of tho great general purpose breed evolved in ,thi« colony—the Corriedale—some of tho best crossbred ewes for tho lamb trade ate crossbred merinos. A strong point in favour of merino blood from tho wool-growers’ point of view is that when the merino wool is high, good quality crossbreds are high and that when long wool is high the grades arc also high. It is undoubted that North Island wool would bo greatly improved by the introduction of merino blood. Tho most profitable wool at the present day is the half-bred wool from the merino ewe and the long wool ram. The long wools ■at the show were a gr,eat collection, though better exhibits have been seen in the North Island of both Romneys and Lincolns, the quality also being of a higher average standard. Some of the sheep penned here were not show sheep at ail, but they served the useful purpose of showing up the better bred animals. The LeiceOters, both English and border, were particularly good. The English variety is showing a flight reversion to the old type—the beautiful littlo low-set, symmetrical carcase which distinguished the sheep imported by Mr P. 0. Tkrelkeld thirty years ago. Since that time breeders have been aiming at a heavier carcase and in doing so have been getting away from ,the ideal mutton frame. Recognising their mistake, breeders now aro endeavouring to rectify, but it will be a long p.•■ cess. As to the two varieties, the English is thq more 'popular when large 'framed‘ewes'are being bred from, but when smaller framed ewes are used the border is favoured. On the whole the Leioestcrs were an excellent collection. It was regrettable that in aevcral cases in tho English classes false shearing had been carried to an absurd extent but no notice was taken of it by the judges. The merinos throughout were a splendid lot. A pair of Otago rams were easily the best in the fine combing classes. The ewes were very good, Mr W. Rutherford being the most successful exhibitor with descendants of his Tasmanian ram Fa wo.

The Leicesters generally were very good. The English variety has never been better represented at Christchurch. The type is still on the large side but the competing animals were generally built on good lines. The sheep exhibited by James Little should have done better. They were honestly shown and were of fine quality. The Borders wore good, but there was a decided weakness exhibited by many in being light along the back. Breeders should aim at a stronger fleece. On the whole the Borders were typical and well calculated to maintain a good mutton standard. Lincolns were an excellent class, but not so good as has been seen at some

Palmerston shows. The Perry sheep were tl:e feature ol tho section. In the aged ram class the Hon. J. D. Ormond was first, the judge placing fleece before carcase. Hie whole of the Hawke's Bay sheep was rather belter in lustre and crimp than the AVairarana sheep, but the sheep were decidedly weaker in frame and constitutional points. Mr Perry’s champion ram was a magnificent sheep, the best ever penned in Canterbury, a beautiful frame splendidly covered. The Sutton sheen from Southland were useful types covered well in every part. Tro Romney class was of special interest to North Islanders, as it was the first time a strong northern contingent had been sent down against Southern sheep. In all classes there was a tail —a, contradistinction to Palmerston North, where the quality generally was very even. Tho Southern sheep wore outclassed hy the Short Romneys, the points of inferiority being dry and harsh wool, deficiency in hone, and_ a weakness in the fore legs. On the other hand they had very large carcases, larger in fact than the North Island sheep. In the only two classes in which Mr Short was defeated ho had to give way to sheep bred b- Bealey Brothers, cf Hororata, fine woolled sheep with magnificent carriage. The Southdown section provided another walkover for North Island breeders. Nelson Bros, taking both championships, nine firsts and two seconds. All through the quality was of a ugh standard, but the bulk of the sheep, including the winners, were on the large side.

ihe Shropshires were of infinite variety of typo', especially in regard to their wool. The champions were really good sheep, fit for any competition, with a splendid dense character of wool and of the broad thick sot style of frame, but many were too much on the leg, aud_ were coarse in the wool. The Shropshire is rapidly coming into favour for the fat lamb trade, and is displacing the Southdown in many quarters, principally by reason of better fleece, and heavier carcase.

The fat sheep were a particularly good lot, perhaps tho best seen at Christchurch for the past eight years. Certainly some were of rather indifferent quality, and quite a large number were on tho large side. Lambs were not as good as they should have been in view of tho quality in the older classes and considering tho district and the season. W. H. Booth, of Carterton' carried off the leading awards with a beautiful pen of South-down-Leioesters in the class for tho best pen of five sheep suitable for the frozen meat trade. The North Island sheep have perfect mutton carcases, and they easily scored the victory. It was tho only North Island entry in a class of fourteen. They were the only northern representatives in the section. Tho Booth sheen competed against exhibits froni some of the best lamb fattsuers in Canterbury. The eutades in the fat classes totalled 107, a strong entry, but not what it should be in such a great fattening district. On the whole there Was little fault to find with tho judging, if failure'to disqualify for palpable faking and false shearing he excepted.

BLOOD STOCK SALE. The annual sale of Ellerslie yearlings was held to-day. The total amount realised was 2595 guineas for the twentyfive offered. Top price was paid by a well-known Wellington sportsman, “.Ur Elwood,” who paid 535 guineas for a brown filly by Stepniak—-Madder, a nice compact little marc full of quality and of great constitution. She is just the type to . come to an early and successful racing career. No doubt the filly will give a good account of herself in classical events during tho next year or two. She is entered for the Palmerston North Stakes next year and the Manawatu Stakes in 1008. In all she is entered for twenty-one classic races. Another Wbllington sportsman, Mr Abbott, purchased a filly by Stepniak—Bello Clair for 80 guineas. A son of Stepniak, by Fairymaid, was secured by Mr J. H. Prosser at 50 guineas. The yearlings did .not, present the good condit.dn in which they have been brought to the sale ring in past years owing no doubt to tho dry spring. Two Stepniak yearling fillies were also sold on account of the Hon, Geo. McLean. One out of Mist, a full sister to Vladimar, was purchased by Mr J. G, Duncan, of Wellington, at 95 guineas. This was a very cheap filly, as she is full of promise.