CHRISTCHURCH SHOW.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11783, 8 November 1912, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH SHOW.

SECOND DAY. GREAT EXHIBITION 01'' LIVE STOCK. (By Telegraph.) (Special to the Oanr.u u Mail.) Christchurch, November 7. Tlie optimists who, despite the rain and general dreariness that marked the opening day oi the Canterbury A. and }'. Association's Metropolitan Show at Aldington. predicted somewhat different d.matic conditions for the second day were fully justified by the fine sunshiny weather experienced to-day. No greater contrast could have been experienced. unless it had snowed on the first day. Tiie good effects of bright sunshine and more pleasant: conditions generally . were very appreciable. The attendance appeared good, but it is questionable if it was up to that of the second day of last year. The threatening appearance of the weather was probably responsible for this. That many of the visitors doubted the permanency of the good weather was shown by the many raincoats and umbrellas that were in evidence, but fortunately they were not required. There was much to claim the attention of visitors : there were the numerous competitions in the afternoon, including the best four of mounted rifles, Lloyd Lindsay, best four or hurdles, and' the Victoria Cross race. Side-shows this year are as numerous and varied as ever, and in character very similar to those of last year. HORSES. The section that attracted most at-, tention was the draught horses, and from 10 a.m., when the judging was commenced, until 5 p.m., when it was brought to a conclusion, the ringside was packed with critics, every act of the judges being criticised with a candor that betokened keen interest. The general opinion was that there was an improvement in the quality of the young stock, and recent importations indicated that the almost extreme lightness so noticeable during the past few years was giving place to. a typo a good deal heavier.

In the 3-year-old filly class Thos. Taylor's Nerissa, by the imported horse Premier Pride, secured the pink ticket in a. class of I'2. an entry by the same sire taking second and a Baron Boldfilly, exhibited by J. Patrick, and bred by M. Dickie (Mataura) being third. J. Patrick anexed prido of place in the i-yoar-old class with Royal Rose, by Baron Bold.

Thirteen entries faced the judges in J the class for yearling colt or gelding, the pink ticket going to a beautiful quality colt exhibited by Thomson and' Co. sired by Baron 'Winsome from a Hatfield mare. He has beautiful bono and possesses magnificent action. J. Pa'trick was second witli a Baron Bold colt, a Premier Pride colt being third. There was quite a lium of excitement when the 10 dry mares entered the ring, and the judges' verdict ill allotting the first and second to Thomson and Co.'s Baron's Brilliant and Agatha respectively found unanimous endorsement from the. ringside critics. J. Patrick's entries suffered defeat in the class for 4-horso team, dry mares and ireldings, John M'Lauchlan being his vanquisher. In the class for four mares or fillies, Thomson and Co. entered Ena, Baron's. Brilliant, Agatha, an<l Lady .Wairongoa and won, second honors going to J. Patrick.

In the class for four of progeny of one stallion Peter Shearer (Asliburton), with Premier Pride stock, defeated J. Patrick with Baron's Bold. Keen interest was taken in tho awarding of the championships. This section resulted, as predicted by your correspondent. The championship in the female division went to Thomson and Co.'s Baron's Brilliant, and the reserve champion to J. Patrick's Maggie Young. ■ Thomson and Co.'s Agatha was fancied in some quarters for the reserve champion, and the judges seemed to sec a good deal in her that would wararnt them in conferring that distinction, hut ultimately decided on the decision liientidned. " This placing is the same as that recorded last year at this show. The allotting of the championship in the male division caused some diversity of opinion in the matter of the Toservo champion. Baron Bold's claims to the championship were undisuuted. but it came as a surprise when Black Douglas, who was second to Baron Bold in bis class, was allotted the reserve. Everything considered the decision of the iudges was probably correct, but Baron Sandy, the winning three-year-old. had many admirers and would have done credit to such a distinction. SHEEP.

Never before in the history ot the Association has there been such a magnificent show of sheep, although the wet season they had passed through was clearly evidenced in the condition of tho wool. . .

Lincolns were a strong section in point of quality, but weak numerically. The New Zealand and Australian Land Co.'s Moeraki Estate took the bulk of tho prizes, the following being the list of awards gained by them: Ist, 2nd, and- v.h.c. in aged rams; Ist and 2nd in 6-tooth rams and 4-tooth rams; Ist and v.h.c. for hogget rams: Ist and 2nd ror shorn'hogget- rams; Ist and 2nd for _ hogget rains; Ist and 2nd in aged ewes (wet): Ist and 2nd for hogget ewes (shorn and-unshorn); Ist and 2nd for pair hogget ewes. -In addition to this the' Company annexed both championships and reserve championships. The. other exhibitors in this section were Albert Witholl. John Deans, Douglas rU-Lean. and T. S. Little.

The same Company also exhibited successfully in the Corriedale section, jiut met with the strong opposition ot Messrs Stringfellow, L. White, and C. H. Ensor. Following is the list of Moeraki Estate successes: 2nd and commended' for aged rams; Ist and commended 6-tooth rams; Ist and v.h.c. for hogget rams; Ist 2 hogget rams; v.h.c. aged ewe; .Ist wet ewe; v.h.c. hogget ewe; 3rd and v.h.c. two hogget ewes. In addition the Company was allotted the championship in the female division and reserve champion in rams. CATTLE.

Cattle were an exceptionally line exhibition, especially in the adult classes. It was noticeable that the milking breeds especially w r ere unusually well represented. Some splendid' exhibits of red Polled Angus were forward and were greatly admired. As usual, Shorthorns were one of the features of the cattle scetion. The aged cattle here were particularly good, but the young stock were disappointing. This was--especially so in bulls. Champion honors went to a 2.4-year-old bull exhibited by the Canterbury Agricultural College, which is full of"quality. He was imported from -Ireland. • H. E. B. Watson practically swept the/board in Jerseys, John Parian© having similar good fortune in Ayrshires. Fat cattle were not up to the usual stand'ard, although the first and second prize-takers in the aged bullock class scaled over a ton on the weighbridge. PIGS. "Pigs were a show in themselves; and eclipsed all previous standards set at the Canterbury Show in the matter of quality. : HOME INDUSTRIES. Tho only North Otago exhibitor in the home industries section was Miss C. Belcher, who took first and second in wholemeal . scones, second in girdle scones/ and v.h.c. in home-made fruit cake.'