A JUBILEE SHOW

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 4

A JUBILEE SHOW

HAWKE’S BAY A. AND P. ASSOCIATION REMARKABLE RECORD OP PROGRESS. Special to the ‘Times.” NAPIER, October 22. Ushered in under ideal weather conditions tho Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s jubilee spring show was tho biggest success of any undertaking indulged in by that institution. Fifty years ago the first spring show was held, and since then tho great provincial institution has marched in the company of two generations, with tho misfortunes of Hawke’s Bay, through fair fortune and the stress marking each year the ■puls© of th© province and manifesting in its exhibitions tho financial health of tho population. There are not many institutions in this Dominion that can boast of a useful existence extending over half a century, but such is the life of the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Society, which originally came into being as the result of a preliminary meeting of a few enthusiastic farmers who had a very sanguine opinion of the future of this province, and an unbounded confidence-—which has since been amply justified—in thotr own ability to produce au attractive display of show stock which should ultimately make tho province renowned throughout New Zealand for its superiority. While it cannot he said that this local fixture leads the Dominion in dairy cattle, it is no empty boast to claim that for beef producing cattle, wool, and mutton sheep, and horses of all classes, Hawke’s Bay sets a strong lead to other parts of the country. The district’s reputation for beef cattle is so well known that it is looked upon in Australia afl the best in the whole of Australasia. For this pleasing result the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Society’s shows have been greatly responsible. The incentive of keen but friendly rivalry has done much to improve quality of stock pasturing on the fertile lands of tho district. A LITTLE HISTORY. It is difficult to obtain any really authentic information concerning tho first few years of tho society’s existence, but the following have been culled from the beet available sources:— “The society’s first name was duo Hawke’s Bay Agricultural Society, and the first show was held on October 14th, 1863, when the number of persona present was ‘fully 400,’ including natives- As far as can bo traced the only exhibitors at that show who are now alive were Messrs J. H. coleman, J. N. "Williams, and T. Tanner. Tho entries comprised the tel-lowing:—Twenty-two horses, 23 cattle, 18 sheep, 6 pigs, 1 fowl, and 3 dogs—a grand total of 73. The first secretary was Mr J. A. Smith. The second show was not held until three years later, in 1866, when the event took place in a paddock at Havelock lent by Mr Ormond, who was president for the year. MnO. L. W. Bonsfield was secretary. Tho following show was held next year, when Mr H. S. Tiffen was secretary, and Moaneo was the suemof the outing. There are no further records that can bo traced until a show was held in 1872, when tho pre : sent name was adopted. The show was ho at Havelock again, and the following year Havelock was chosen as the scene, but the following year Hastings first successfully asserted its claim, and tho event was held in yards belonging to the society on the site of the present police station. The entries that year included 35 horses and 106 sheep, hut there were no cattle. The outstanding feature of the 1877 show was tho fact that £175 was devoted to prizes in wheat, oats, and barley classes. The oldest complete catalogue now in existence is for that year, and the sheep entries had jumped to over 230. “The following year saw tho commencement of a winter show, and the present grounds were purchased. The next important step was taken in 1879, when a grandstand was erected, and tho following year a grain and root show was held in Napier. From that time forward the shows have beon Continuous. THE SHOW TO-DAY CATTLE. The number of entries received for the present show were 2243. ■ Exhibits in the cattle classes were numerous, and tho quality of the beasts penned was such as to draw very favourable comments from tho public as well, as the judge. The- Shorthorn classes were well filled with attractive stock that interested many farmers. The Polled Angus competition brought some nice beasts into tho ring, and tho judge had a difficult task to separate the standards of quality. Ayrshires wore of an excellent standard. The classes for Alderneys and Jerseys did not fill up to excess, but their general appearance and milk-producing qualities were voted right by the judge. The dairying classes were an improvement on last year’s exhibits, and the class of beast shown suggested that this branch of cattle rearing is receiving that attention which its gilt-edged returns fully justify. SHEEP. It was only natural that the staple products of the district, mutton and wool, should be well represented in tbo various classes for the source of those valuable products, and consequently there was a very extensive yarding of all classes of sheep, wool and mutton-producing varieties predominating. By far the greatest number of exhibits were in the classes for that very profitable sheep, the Romney Marsh, twelve classes drawing no less, than 160 different exhibits. Tho very high quality of the sheep shown made the judges’ task anything but a sinecure, but it was carried through with commendable promptitude. The exhibits were noticeably good, being strong and healthy specimens. Lincolns wore also a fine class, and gave positive evidence of Hawke’s Bay’s claim to produce some of the best marketable wool known. Some of the specimens were remarkably good, and drew forth the highest commendation from the capable judges. HORSES. Tho carriage horses as a whole were a very fair lot, and judging, by reason of the good blood shown, was protracted; but the onlookers were all tbo more pleased as they got a longer time in which to admire the exhibits. The class of draughts shown was very good, especially in two and three-year-olds. In the senior classes there were some fine beasts, with long lists of honours behind them, and the display

made would do credit to any similar show in the Dominion. CATTLE. Mr Allen IVilliams, who is a recognised authority on Shorthorns, said those shown to-day wore the best he had ever seen in all his experience. They were undoubtedly an exceptionally fine collection and would do justice to any exhibitors anywhere. Mr R. E. Alexander, the judge, is Director of the Lincoln Agricultural College, and he was delighted wiln the entries. The yearling heifers wore the best he had seen in New Zealand. SOME OF THE AWARDS. Following are those W’ho gained championship honours: — English Leicester ram, Douglas' McLean; English Leicester owe, Douglas McLean. Hereford cow, Ernest Short. Holstein-Fricsian bull, W, I. Lovelock. Ayrshire cow T. H. Colpman; Ayrshire bull, T. H. Colpman. Shorthorn bull, Douglas McLean. Alderney and Jersey cow, J. H. MacN iveu. Southdown ram. Nelson Bros.; Southdown owe. Nelson Bros. Lincoln ram (under 30 months), W. Perry; Lincoln ram (over 30 months), B. D. D. McLean. Shropshire ewe, G. L. Marshall; Shropshire ram, G. L. Marshall. Polled Angus bull, A. S. G. Carlyon. Lincoln ewe, W. Perry. Polled Angus heifer, J. A. Macfarlano. Romney Marsh ewe, A. V. Collins. Hack, E. Burnside. Berkshire sow, Ambrose Welkwood. Draught mare. Mm J. D. Ormond. Pair of farm horses, B. J. Watt. Champion Shield for draught mare, E. Short. Best piece of needlework in show (Jubilee medal), Mrs R. C. Macfariane. OTHER PRIZE WINNERS. Following are some of the chief competitions Shorthorn Bull (calved einoe July Ist, 1912), fourteen entries —Douglas McLean 1, Arch. McLean 2. Douglas McLean 3. Bull (calved since July Ist. 1911), ten entries —Douglas McLean 1, G. A. Turner 2, Douglas McLean 3. Heifer (calved since July Ist; 1912), eleven entries—Douglas McLean 1, VV. T. Williams 2, G. A. Turner 3. Heifer (calved since July Ist, 1911). fifteen entries —Douglas McLean 1 and 2, W. T. Williams 3. Heifer (calved since July Ist, 1910), six entries—Douglas MoLean 1. W. T. Williams 2. ■ Hcrefords—Ernest Short took first prize in all Hereford classes. Fat Bullock, six entries —Sir Walter Buchanan 1, H. K. McKenzie 2 and 3. Fat Cow, four entries—H. K. McKenzie 1, Sir Walter Buchanan 2. Ayrshircs—C. E. C. Webb 1. Heifer (calved since July Ist, 1912), four entries —Cl E. C. Webb 1. Heifer (calved since July Ist, 1911), three entries—T. H. Colpman 1, C. E. C. Webb 2. Cow, three entries —T. H. Colpman 1 and 2, C. Karsten 3. Holstein-Frieaians W. I. Lovelock showed to best advantage in this class, winning no less than six competitions. Alderney and Jersey Bull, three entries —Paul Hunter 1, Hector Apperley 2, W. P. Thompson 3. Heifer, nine entries—L. M. Mackersey 1, Paul Hunter 2, J. C. Scott 3. Paul Hunter v.h.o. Cow, six entries—J. H. Moo Niven 1, Paul Hunter 2 and 3, Mrs T. F. Morley v.h.o. ■ Lincoln Ram Hoggett (under 18 months) sevon entries—W. Perry 1, Douglas McLean 2, W. Perry 3. Ram (18 months and under 30 months), nine entries—W. Perry 1 and 2, Douglas McLean 3 and v.h.o. Ram (30 months and upwards), five entries—W. Perry 1. Douglas McLean 2, A. Kirkpatrick 3. Ewe Hoggett (under 18 monthe), eight entries—W. Perry 1,2 and 3. Ewe (18 months and under 30 months, with lamb), four entries —W. Perry 1, Mrs J. D. Ormond 2, Douglas McLean. 8. Ewe (80 months and upwards, with lamb), five entries—Douglas McLean 1, A. Kirkpatrick 2 and 8. Two Ewe Hoggets (under 18 months), three entiles —W. Perry 1, Mrs J. D. Ormond 2, Douglas McLean 8. Border. Leicester—Mrs J. D. Ormond’s entries won each of nine sections. Romney Marsh Ram Hogget (under 18 months). 33 entries —W. Perry 1, G. E. Allen 2. B. Short 3. Ewe Hogget (under 18 months), 19 entries —Joseph Oorpo 1 W. Perry 2, W. Buick 3. Ewe (18 months an<J under 30. months, with lamb), 16 entries —W. Gibson 1, A. V. Collins 2, IV. Perry 3. Ewe (30 monthe and upwards, with lamb). It entries —W. Perry 1, F. Hutchinson and Sons 2. Q. B, Allen 3. Two Ewe Hoggets (under 18 months), 11 entries —G. B. Allen 1. W. Perry 2 and 3. Five Ewe Hoggets (under 18 months), six entries —G. R. Allen 1, W. H. Buick 2, A. V. Collins 3. . Southdowns—Nelson. Bros, carried on the honours in eleven of the twelve Southdown classes. English Leicester —Douglas McLean won the eight English Leicester classes. Shropshire Downs Ram Hogget, seven entries —G. L. Marshall 1 and 2, R. B. Pitt 3. . Ewe Hogcet (under 18 months), six entries —W. Eayner 1 and 2, W. McKenzie 3. G. L. Marshall v.h.o. Ewe (30. months and npwards, with la mV' four entries —G. L. Marshall 1 and 2. M. McKenzie 3. . Draught Horses —Yearling colt (foaled since August let, 1912), eight entries— Douglas McLean 1 and 2 Ernest Short 3. Two-year-old colt (foaled since August lav. 1911), four entries —Ernest Short 1, Douglas McLean 2. Entire horse (four-vear-old or upwards), seven entries—A. D. Mitchell 1, Ernest Short 2. Mrs J. D. Ormond 3. The growth of the society can be ascertained from the following figures, which give the numbers of entries received for spring shows since 1863: —1863. 73; 1903, 1972; 1904. 2035; 1905. 1717; 1908, 1762; 1007 1600- 1908, 1930; 1909. 2114; 1910, 1940‘ 1911, 2236; 1912. 2167; 1913, 2274.