SOUTHLAND SUMMER SHOW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21827, 14 December 1932, Page 12

SOUTHLAND SUMMER SHOW

FINE ALL-ROUND DISPLAY SPLENDID SHEEP SECTIONS DAIRY CATTLE A FEATURE (From Our Special Reporter.) INVERCARGILL, December 13. Each successive year the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association s Summer Show at Invercargill demonstrates afresh its right to be regarded not only as a metropolitan exhibition of the first importance, but also as one of the two or three best shows in the Dominion. As a matter of fact, the steady progress made by this organisation with respect to its Summer Show has in the past few years been such as to encourage the thought, and among Southlanders the hope, that in a very short time it will take its place as the foremost exhibition of live stock in New Zealand. It is certain that no other *how in the Dominion comprises a more comprehensive or varied catalogue than that which is'presented annually at Invercargill. The larger of the northern shows all have their specialties, but the Southland show differs from all in that it covers all branches of pastoral and grazing practice and is notable for the all-round excellence of all classes of stock —sheep, cattle, and horses. This year’s show is in the best traditions of the association and notwithstanding the absence of several Otago breeders who .have for years been represented in both the sheep' and cattle sections the entries show a small increase on last year’s total. The catalogue contains no fewer than eight distinct breeds of sheep, irrespective of fats and crossbreds, in which the entries are large, six breeds of cattle, besides grade and crossbred dairy stock, and a heavy entry of light and heavy horses. Unlike most other shows there ’is no undue prominence given to any class of stock and the, result is an exceedingly well-balanced and instructive exhibition of the most useful kind. , ... The entries total 1260 compared with 1229 last year, and the improvement in numerical strength is accompanied m nearly every department of the show by a noticeable, if not striking, improvement. In the general standard of quality, in the gradual betterment of live stock breeding, and in the adoption of the best and most modern methods and principles the Southland Association has played an important part during the past 10 years and may with just cause congratulate itself upon having exerted a materially beneficial influence on the development and expansion of a province, the potentialities of which have not yet been exploited to the full.

THE SHEEP SECTIONS Apart from the important question of breed quality and character displayed in the sheep sections, neither of which change very markedly from year to year, although expert judges remark improvements in certain breeds, the general appearance of the sheep this year compares more than favourably with that of past years. Excellent seasonal conditions have contributed to this improvement, which is apparent not only in actual physical condition but also in the character and quality of the wool, which is opening up well in all breeds. Perhaps the outstanding feature of the sheep show this year is the special increase in the number and quality of the entries in the Southdown section, in which additional competition has been occasioned by the challenge made to Southland breeders by the Timaru studmaster, Mr A. S. Elworthy, of Holme Station. For the first time for many years there was no competition to speak of in the Corriedale section, consequent on the absence of the Bushey Park sheep of Mr J. A. Johnstone. RYBLANDS.

A small entry of Ryelands did not keep the judge at work very long. There was little competition, and Mr S. T. Evans (Longbush) took all the premier awards, as well as both the ram and ewe championships. The sheep were well brought out, uniform jp type and character, and reached a very commendable level of quality, Gradually the breed is making headway in Southland, and it may be expected that the further deve opment of the fat lamb export trade in this province will have the effect of making the Ryelnnd in very much more general deXnaßd ’ LINCOLNS. There are no signs at the present time of anything in the nature of a return to one of New Zealand’s first favourites the Lincoln—and a display _of this once popular long-woolled sheep is a specially Interesting feature of any show. Mr Owen Sutton (Otapm), who has shown Lincolns at this show for some years, was again the only competitor, and is to be congratulated on the showing he made. Some of the -wool was not up to the finest quality Lincoln fleece,, but most of it was in good condition and handled well, the sheep themselves were in strikingly good condition and displayed most of the carcass qualities looked for in this ,breed. CORRIEDALES. Messrs H. P. MTntyre (Maitland) and J, P, Thayer (Maitland) were the only exhibitors in the Corriedale section, and neither came into competition with the other in any class. The sheep were very ordinary. types, with a tendency towards fineness in the wool, which is hardly in accord with the true Corriedale type. The entry comprised four-tooths and hoggccs only. ENGLISH LEICESTERS. The • Timaru breeder, Mr A. E. Elworthy, of Holme Station, contested the issue with Southland studmasters in the English Leicester sections and made a good impression with a handful of very tvpey quality sheep. He annexed both championships, taking the ram ribbon with a good stamp of four-tooth sire and the ewe championship with a beautifully made ewe hogget, Messrs William Kennedy (Otautau) and S. T. Evans (Longbush) divided the ■ honours left by the northern breeder. The limaru sheep showed slightly better bloom and bettei wool condition on the whole than any of the Southland entries, some of which tended to get away from the breed. SHROPSHIRES.

There was a surprisingly good showing of Shropshires with uncommonly keen competition. The blackface breed has commended itself to Southland fat lamb growers to a marked degree during the past few years and the display this year may be regarded as the forerunner of even better exhibitions to come. The variety of types in some of the classes was a trifle disturbing to the student of quality, and some disqualifications were necessary* but the lack of uniformity is a fault that should not be difficult to overcome. Six flocks were represented in the pens to-day and the judge made a fairly wide distribution of the honours. The ram. championship was won by Mr S. T. Evans (Longbush), who also annexed the reserve ribbon with a very stylish well-set-up ram hogget who should develop into an outstanding sire. The ewe championship went to Mr William Swale (Limehills) with a very good aged ewe with lamb at foot, and Mr William Kennedy (Otautau) secured the reserve award. Among those who shared the prize-money in addition to the championship winners, were Messrs J. Templeton (Otaitai Bush) and the estate of the late Robert Gibb (Menzie’s Ferry). BORDER LEICESTERS.

The high place which the Border. Leicester has always held in the favour of Southland flockowuers is attested untested annually by tiie oustanding showing of this useful Scottish breed. The pens this year were well filled, and although jn the open classes competition was confined to two breeders, there were far more entries in the natural and unhoused classes. Among the unhoused sheep were a lot of excellent types which required only the additional care and attention lavished on stud animals to enable them to compete on even terms with the best of the housed sheep. On the other hand, however, some of the sheep could have been better brought out. particularly the *' V Mr William Kennedy (Otautau) secured a well deserved championship with an outstanding four-tooth ram of great quality which showed just too much character for the aged Kauana ram winch won the reserve championship for Mr K. J. Anderson, who won both first and. second prize cards in the aged section, as

well as second and third prizes in the four-tooth class. The best of the ram hoggets came from the Ivauana Stud, and Mr Anderson added to his other successes by winning the ewe championship with a nice aged ewe, Mr William Kennedy being the winner of the reserve ribbon with a well-made, nicely four-tooth with lamb at foot. Messrs Kennedy and Anderson divided the class honours very evenly, and there was not a great deal to, pick and choose between the two teams. In the natural condition classes, the quality was not so consistent, and many of the, sheep could have made a better impression if they had been better brought out. Mr W. E. Lindsay (Drummond) was a prominent prize-winner, and others who found their way into the money were Messrs J. A. Edwards (Otikerama), R. J. Anderson, William Kennedy, and Alexander Drummond (Five Rivers). ' ROMNEY MARSH.

The Romney Marsh section was one of the best in the show, and it is worthy of mention that the best quality sheep of the breed came from north of the Waipahi River. The Clydevale breeders, Messrs Joseph Mosley and Sons, showed a large team of their celebrated Riverslea stock, and secured a very considerable share of the prize money. Mr A. S. Elworthy (Timaru) was another northern exhibitor who gave a very good account of himself. He won the ram championship with a beautifully-wooiled thick-set sheep, standing evenly on good short legs; but he had a keen rival in the Riverslea four-tooth, to which the judge gave the reserve championship. Messrs Mosley and Sons took first and second prizes in the four-tooth and ram hogget classes, Hrst and third in the shorn ram hogget class, and first in the class for pairs of. ram hoggets. A strong feature of the Holme station sheep was the excellent manner in which they were brought out. The Riverslea breeders were outstandingly successful in the ewe classes, providing, both- the championship winners with the first and second aged ewes, attractive pair of dams. Mr William Kennedy (Otailtau) showed the best of the fourtooth ewes, with Messrs Mosley and Sous second and third. A good bunch of ewe hoggets was penned, with the Riverslea sheep winning first and second and Mr Elworthy.taking the third card; and the placings were the same in the shorn ewe ' hogget class. The. Clydevale breeders took another red ticket in the class for pairs of ewe hoggets, the Timaru breeder being second. Messrs Mosley and Sons were again prominent in the natural-condition classes, being first and second in four-tooth rams, second and third in ram hoggets, and first in ewe hoggets. Another Otago exhibitor who did very well in this section was Mr R, F. Kirk (Kelso), who showed a couple of pairs of very fine shorn ram hoggets, a pair of beautiful ram hoggets in the wool, and the best of the tourtooth ewes. He took first and second cards and second and third prize tickets for ewe hoggets, his final success being a red ticket for a group of five ewe hoggets. Mr Kirk’s sheep were well turned out, exhibited a consistency and uniformity that were highly satisfactory, and carried a good average quality Romney fleece. Others who took prizes in the natural-conditioned classes were Messrs Kennedy, W. and <L Johnston (Maitland), J. A. Edwards (Otikerama), W.; S. Andrews (Pine Bush), and J* *• Thayer (Maitland).

SOUTHDOWNS. Southdowns made a very large, if somewhat mixed, showing, but there were some exceptionally fine types in the pens, and here again breeders from north of the Waipahi River came very prominently into the picture. The fact that some of the sheep did not'measure up to Ae ideal of a rather more -exacting judge than is usually found officiating at shows in these days was shoVm by the disqualifications ordered and by the diffidefice of the judge about making second and third awards in several classes. Once or twice he selected his first prize winner and made his next placing a fifth. Several sheep were thrown out of the section on account of unfair shearing and altogether the judge (Mr J. Johns, Belfast, Canterbury) acquitted himself with unusual distinction. It is to be regretted that more judges have not the courage to refuse recognition to stock which, in their opinion, is not worthy of the awards offered. To-days Southdown judge did not hesitate, and although he displeased some people very sorely he set a standard of judging which might well be followed by others. Mr A. W, Pannett, of Ashley Downs, Clinton, showed some very fine sheep but he had a worthy opponent in the person of Mr A. S. Elworthy, Timaru, who made a very good impression with a contingent of sheep which were so obviously well brought out that the judge had no hesitation whatever in awarding him the MacKinnon Medal for the best turned-out stock. Mr Elworthy took the reserve championship for rams, being beaten for the supreme award by Mr S. T. Evans (Longbush), Both the ribbon winners were aged rams. Mr W. Swale (Limehills) showed the best four-tooth ram, with Mr A. W. Pannett second, and the Southland Frozen Meat Company won the ram hogget.class, with the Clinton breeder second again. Mr Elworthy had the best 1 of the shorn ram hoggets, with Mr W. Kennedy second. Mr S. T. Lvans was first in the class for pairs of ram hoggets, with Mr Pannett second. The champion ewe fame from Mr Pannett’s flock, the award going to a shorn aged ewe with lamb at foot, which was accompanied in the class by another two ewes which were placed second and third. Mr Elworthy took the reserve ewe championship with a beautiful little ewe hogget and Mr Pannett was placed second and third. The Clinton breeder was first and second in the four-tooth ewe class, first in the shorn hogget class, and first for pairs of ewe hoggets. CROSSBREDS AND FATS.

Messrs W J. Clark (Tussock Creek), Owen Sutton (Otapiri), W. Kennedy (Otautau), W. D. Mitchell /(Tuturan), G. Low (Otautau), W. Lindsay (Wallacetown), and W. B. White (Otama) provided a very fair display of crossbreds, and among the prize winners in the fat sheep and fat lamb classes were Messrs Low, White, Evans, Kennedy, A. C. Gray, W. Swale, the Frozen Meat Company, anil Mr W. Given (Ferndale). The showing of fat lambs was an excellent one, prime quality being forward in plenty and making as good a display as has been seen at a show this year.

THE CATTLE RING Southland cattle are rapidly making a name for quality which bids fair to equal that of the best districts of the Dominion. Even Taranaki and the Waikato could not show better dairy types than the pick of the prize winners at the principal Southland shows, and every year the best of the district’s purebred milkers find their way to Invercargill to make a display of dairy quality which reflects great credit on the breeders. The three main breeds —Jerseys, Ayrshire, and Fricsians —attracted large entries this year, with keen competition in practically every class. In addition, the cattle rings included select Red Polls from two of the best studs south of the Waipabi and a heavy representation of milking Shorthorns. The usual variety of crossbred milkers of the grade and cottar’s cow type was displayed, and there was a small entry of fat cattle. The stock were all brought out in excellent order, but the number of entries was hardly worthy of the Southland pastures, on which hundreds of really first-class beeves may be seen grazing. A pleasing feature about the cattle sections was the favourable comparison several judges made between the standard of quality at this show and the general average at the Royal Show, which was this year held in one of the strongholds of dairying. RED POLLS. Mr G. S. Young, the well-known West Plains breeder of Red Polls, again distinguished himself by the excellent quality and uniform attractiveness of his fine team of cattle. The Neutyle stud is now well and favourably known. throughout Southland, and, as it has competed successfully against the best company in the South Island, is is entitled to be regarded as being in the first flight. Mr Young secured both the championship ribbons, as well as a reserve award, winning the female ribbon with a great-bodied cow of good milking quality, and the reserve ribbon for cows with a fine type of three-year-old. Neutyle Challenger won the male championship for Mr Young for the third year in succession, and also the Southland Red Poll Cup. Mr J. B. Hamilton (Morton Mains) was also an exhibitor, and besides winning the bull reserve championship and several class awards lie annexed the Maekinnon Medal for the exhibitor bringing forward ins stock in the best condition.

MILKING SHORTHORNS. The dairy Shorthorn is increasing every year in popularity, and this year’s showing was the largest seen at Invercargill to date. Moreover, numerical strength was supported by a standard of quality that was exceptional. In only one class — that for three-year-old bulla —was there a falling away from an unusually high average. Mr John Bateman (Invercargill) won both the female championships with very good types of milkers and took several well-deserved red tickets in the female classes, the remainder of the awards goini* to Messrs David Murphy and Sons (Kcnnington) and Mr W. P. Hishon (Orcti). Messrs Murphy and Sons won the bull championship with the only mature eire shown, and the reserve champion bull was found in Mr I. MTllwrick’s (Otapiri) first prize two-year-old. A particularly attractive lot of young bulls was shown in the yearling and two-year-old classes, and from the appearance of even the nonprize winners it would appear that fanciers of the dairy Shorthorn in Southland will not lack suitable new blood in the way of young sires.

AYRSHIRES. Southland demonstrated to-day that the province can produce as good Ayrshires ns any other part of the Dominion, and the opinion of experts who visited the Royal Show that the national exhibition contained nothing better than the best of to-day's rings seems to confirm that view. Mr R. S. Weir (Seaward Downs) had a very successful day with his Allandale stock against strong opposition from the Ivanhoe stud of Mr A. M. Weir, of Menzie’s Ferry. Allandale Trixie 2nd won the championship ribbon for cows, and Mr A. M. Weir’s Ivanhoe Rosella, a past champion, secured the reserve championship. Mr J. J. Blaikie (Ryal Bush) showed the second prize cow in milk, with Mr Peter Walker (Palmerston) third. The judge’s choice of a ring of very attractive three-year-old heifers was Mr A. M. Weir’s Ivanhoe Josephine, a heifer of great promise. Mr James Henderson (Glenham) was second, and Mr J. J. Blaikie third. Mr A, M. Weir won another first prize in the two-year-old class, Mr Walker being second with Ivanhoe Maria. Mr A. M. Weir won both the junior and senior yearling classes, with Messrs R. S. Weir, Henderson, and Blaikie filling secondary places.' Mr R. S. Weir gained the bull championship with his imported Canadian sire, Harnelbel Crusader, who was placed first ahead of Mr H. J. Riddle’s (Thornbury) imported bull, Ascot Quaker’s Highlander. Mr Blaikie won the two-year-old class, with Mr Peter Walker second with Zealand Hero, and third with Gleniffer.Scotty. The reserve champion was found in Mr Peter Walker’s stylish and attractive senior yearling Ardgowan War Star, a really outstanding young sire who won a red ticket at the Royal Show this year and the championship at this year’s Dunedin Show. The Palmerston breeder also won the junior yearling class with Crighton Royalty, a youngster who should have a great future.

JERSEYS. Mr John Hellyer, of North-East Harbour, who judged the Jerseys, described the section as the outstanding show of the breed in the South Island this year. The quality was particularly good, and it was the opinion of local fanciers of the breed that no better show of the Island cattle has been seen at Invercargill. The championship went to Mr D. M. A. Cameron’s (Edeudale) first prize cow in milk, which was placed first in her class, with Mr N. Moore’s (Tapanui) Tokorangi Pearl second, and Mr J. Pullar’e (Crookston) Granton Angel third. The reserve champion female was Mr E. M’Kenzie’s (Clifton) Tokorangi Blossom, a fine type of dry cow. Two-year-olds and three-year-olds made ' a great procession past the judge, the prize-winners against keen competition being Mr Cameron first and third in three-year-olds, with Mr Moore second, and Mr Moore first in two-year-olds, with Mr Cameron second and Mr A. M’Fadyen (Kamahi) third. M r James Pullar was first in the yearling class. Dr A. F. Ritchie Crawford (Invercargill), Mr N. Nicholson (Winton), and Mr M'Fadyen were the principal prize-winners among the yearlings. The bulls were a good lot, and attracted much attention during the judging. Mr N. Moore’s veteran, Oakland’s Clarion, won the championship fairly comfortably, but he would have had to concede the supreme award to Mr Cameron’s Santa Rosa Chimes had the latter not carried an undue heaviness at the shoulder and rather unattractive hindquarters. The best of the three-year-old bulls was Mr R. B. Hislop’s (Tapanui) Tokorangi Geras Royalty, Mr Nicholson being second and Mr R. Clark third. Mr Cameron was first and second in the two-year-old class, and .Mr W. R. Ireland’s (Otautau) Gladfield Gee Boy was the pick of the senior yearlings, Mr Pullar taking second prize. Mr James Pullar’s Granton Surprise was first in the junior yearling class, with Mr Nicholson second and Mr E. M Kenzie third. • Mr N. Moore won the breeders group class. Fill ESI ANS.

For several years the F ricsian cattle section at the Southland Show has been the largest of the dairy breeds, and this position ruled again to-day. There were over 80 entries which occupied the attention of the judge (Mr William Robertson, of Middlemarch) until-late in the day. At the conclusion of his heavy tusk he was most complimentary concerning the quality of the exhibits, stating that it was the finest show of Fricsians he had had the pleasure of judging, inere had been keen competition in every class, and the quality had been exceptional, all the cattle being shown in excellent condition. The females, in particular, had been very Pl Airing of 11 faced the judge for the cow-in-milk class. Messrs W. Y. Dickiu and Sons’ (Ferndale) Dominion Olga Se"is, by Carnation King Matador Betty, was first and reserve champion. This cow, which was bred on a Government farm, has had a particularly successful show-ring career, and tins season was champion at Dunedin and Gore. She is a big, roomy, handsome cow, but not tne equal of Mr James Brown’s (Waiamwa) Cordyline Dutch .Rag Apple, the winner of the dry cow class and champion of the show, a very attractive cow with plenty of type and dairy quality. The second award in the cow-in-milk class ;/cnt to Messrs John Robinson and Sons t Milton) Plantation No. G, a very attractive cow bred by Mr T. R. Eades, and third place to Messrs Dickie and Sons’ Cluny Pietje Hope XIII. In the dry cow class the second and third places were filled by Messrs Dickie and Sons and Mr Adam Mvron (Ryal Bush) respectively. There was a ring of nine three-j'enr-olds, and Messrs Robinson and Sons scored first place in a very strong class with Gleniffer Echo Rosemary Posch, a very nice heifer which had previously won at Dunedin, Balclutha, and Milton this season. Mr K. H. Dickie (Tuturan) secured second place with Lauderdale Sylvia Cremona, a very nice heifer, while Messrs Dickie and Sons Gleustuart Snow Olga filled third place. The two-year-old heifer in milk class was not strong, the first card - going to Messrs Dickie and Sons’ Glenstuart Alcartra Jonquil, with Messrs A. and R. Udy’s (Wyndham) Lilburne Princess Ena second and Messrs Tait Brothers’ (Greenlulls) Gleniffer Pauline Echo Pietertje third. In the dry two-year-olds Mr R. H. Dickie was successful with Lauderdale Sylvia Beauty, which was closely followed by Messrs Dickie and Sons’ Glenstuart Alcartra Fancy Poscb, Messrs Robinson and sons filling third place. There was a big class of senior yearlings, Mr J. Simms (South Invercargill) securing the red ticket with Tisburv Trixie Poscb, an outstanding heifer 'in a class of 14 really good heifers. Mr William Young (Otahuti) was second and Mr James Brown (Waiamwa) third. The junior yearlings were not so attractive as the previous class, but the competition was keen, the red ticket going to Mr Adam Myron’s (Ryal Bush) Krninivie Echo Darkie, the same exhibitor gaining the second card with Kinimvie Echo Betty, while Mr James Marshalls (Kaitangata) Clutha Unessia was third Seven bulls were entered for the mature class and made a hne, ring, lie first award and championship ribbon went to Messrs Dickie and Sons well-known urize-taker Bloomfield Alcartra Clotlnlde, and the second ticket and reserve championship were annexed by Messrs Christie Bros.’ (Tuturan) Lauderdale Duke. The third prize was taken by Mrs 15. Robson’s (Pahia) Pareora Burkeyje |l ero . Two three-year-olds were paraded. Messrs A. and R. Udy being the winners with Rosevale Count Echo and the Borstal Institution second with Plantation De Kol King Sylvia. Five good bulls were entered in the two-year-old class, Messrs Tait Bros, annexing Ibe red ticket with Forestvaic Colanlha Prince, while Messrs Dickie and Sons’ Glenstuart Meartra Hope and Mr Dickie’s Lauderdale Mercena Keyed were placed in that order. The senior yearling class attracted four competitors, the winner being Mr William Chitlock’s (Gore)

Lauderdale Mcrcena Burkeyje, with Mr W. Iv. Inglis’s (Kaurahi) Glen Dollar Alcartra Paul second, and Messrs Dickie and Sons’ Totara Pontiac Prospector third. The junior yearling class brought forward two of the nicest bulls in the show. Those were Mr Myron’s Kininvie Korndyko Max and Mr J\. K. Dodds’s (Ferndalc) Roscvale King Sylvia Regina Posch, which were placed in that order after a very keen contest. Messrs Dickie and Sons won the group class with a fine group.