HIGH QUALITY STOCK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26957, 17 December 1948, Page 6

HIGH QUALITY STOCK

Royal Show Proves a Success

Earlier. Standards Fully Maintained RECORD GATE TAKINGS From Our Own Reporters INVERCARGILL, Dec, 16. There was more sunshine but just as much wind, mud and surface water for the final day—the second People’s Day—at the Royal Show in Invercargill to-day. After rain in the early morning, the sky cleared and the sun shone brilliantly, although the strong wind persisted. There was a good attendance of the public, including the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Cullen, in gumboots, who proved particularly popular with members of the farming community on the grounds. It has been a successful show in spite of the weather and the absence of North Island competitors. The standard of stock exhibited has been fully up to Royal Show class.

Although the weather was atrocious yesterday, which was the first People’s Day—an occasion for a half-holiday in the city—the gate takings in the day-time set a new record for the Southland Association, although the takings last evening were affected by the conditions. The takings during the day yesterday totalled £1243, compared with the previous record of £1236 in 1946, and £1230 at the previous Royal Show at Invercargill in 1939. With the evening takings, the totals for People’s Day were. £1768 yesterday, £1843 in 1946, and £1694 in 1939. The total gate takings for the three days are estimated to exceed £ 3000. The judging to-day comprised harness horses, harness ponies, Clydesdales and working draughts. The light horse competitions were completed to-day. The attendance of buyers at the stud pig and sheep sales to-day was not large enough to warrant an auction, but there were a few private transactions. More interest was shown in the sale of horses, but passings were frequent,' especially with horses of unknown quality. R. J. Irwin’s (Blenheim) Solbird, a four-year-old filly, brought the top price of £56, and the next best was £45 paid for G. L. Morton’s (Invercargill) six-year-old mare Twilight. Few others reached £3O. Slightly more interest was shown yesterday when the fat cattle, sheep, pigs and stud cattle came forward. L. D. Bowis’s Irwell Shorthorn heifer, Arran Margaret the Third, was sold to C. D. K. Calder (Invercargill) for 41 guineas. J. W. Morton’s (Seaward Downs) Ayrshire bull, Ingleside Bonus, was sold to Houston Bros., Invercargill, for 50 guineas, and Mr Morton also sold another Ayrshire bull, Ingleside Winsome Lad, to Wright, Stephenson and Co., as agents, for 50 guineas.