ROYAL SHOW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27232, 8 November 1949, Page 10

ROYAL SHOW

FEW ENTRIES FROM THE SOUTH REPRESENTATION BY JUDGES Although the Manawatu West Coast A. and P. Association's Royal Show at Palmerston North last week received record entries totalling 3784, very few entries indeed came from the South Island. Once again C. S. Elms, of Timaru, gained the harness pony championship with Kismet and the reserve award with Wee Jim, as well as the harness horse championship with Adorian. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes (Tai Tapu) also repeated his success at Southland last year, gaining the championship with his Red Poll cow and the reserve championships with both bull and cow, and the yearling Red Poll heifer championship. He also showed the champion Corriedale ram. The south was well represented among the judges, however, no fewer than nine coming from South Canterbury, Otago, and Southland. They were Mrs P. R. Woodhouse (St. Andrews), Red Polls; Mr J. Mcßride (Winchester), Shorthorns and all breeds competition; Mr W. Y. Dickie (Mataura), Friesinns; Mr W. A. Yardle.v (Heriot), natural-condition Romneys; Mr J. D. Robertson (Gore), Romney Marsh, open; Mr A. C. Gray (Wallacetown), Dorset Horns; Mr W. Swale (Winton), saddle ponies; Mr Gordon Maze (Kakapuaka). thoroughbred horses, saddle horses, and ring events; Mr W. R. Jones (Gore), trotters, pacers, harness horses and ponies. Judges’ Differences The extent to which judges can differ was clearly revealed at the show. The champion cow of all breeds, and the winner of the special cups, was Mr A. D. Buchanan's (Tiakitahuna, Palmerston North) Ayrshire, which was unplaced in its own breed section the previous day. Discussing the dairy section, three of the four judges of the all breeds competition had some fairly pointed comment to make. They expressed doubt as to the advisability of conducting this type of competition, pointing out that there was little common ground for comparing the various breeds of dairy animals, that it was probably unwise to develop interbreed rivalry when there was ample scope In the country for all of them, that it was difficult to attain unanimity between four judges, and that 100 many animals were paraded, cluttering up the show ring and making the work of the judges too involved. The three judges who subscribed to these ,fiews were Messrs Dickie. N. D Dreadon (Dargaville) and F. Mclntosh (New South Wales). The fourth judge on the panel. Mr S. G. Morgan (Mangatoki) declined to comment. It was Mr Mclntosh who judged the Ayrshire section the previous day. Imported Bull Commenting on the Shorthorn beef classes. Mr Mcßride said that while the entrv was not big, it was select, especially the imported bull exhibited by D. J. Holden, of Hastings. "In my opinion—and I've seen most of the imported bulls for the past 30 rears—this is the best type of Scottish Shorthorn bull entered into New Zealand. It had length, good top and bottom lines, well-fleshed, and possessed the perfect Shorthorn head. I am sure he will improve the Shorthorn cattle in the North Island. He was full of constitution and altogether a choice beast.” The champion cow was good and possessed a good head, but unfortunately was showing a wee bit gross. The yearling heifers were fit to go to any show in New Zealand, and the winner was well worthy of a Royal Show first prize. The yearling bulls were of good type for crossing with Aberdeen Angus and the junior yearling bull that secured the first prize would, said Mr Mcßride, be beard of again. ■"*' Mr Yardley said that ail of the Romney classes he had judged, with one exception, were well up to standard. Mrs Woodhouse described the Red Peril champions as ” possibly the best I have ever judged.” The reserve champions showed gieat promise.” Mrs Woodhouse added: “I do not think the tendency of breeders to clip the head and shoulders of Red Polls, particularly in the bull classes, is to be looked upon favourably, as this practice detracts from the appearance of masculinity.” Mr Dickie commented favourably on the Friesians, the champions and reserve champions being of high class. The Romney Marsh open classes had attracted representative entries. Mr Robertson said, and he had difficulty in making the final top awards, so close were the leading contenders.