THE BLUESKIN SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 1417, 18 January 1879, Page 11

THE BLUESKIN SHOW.

♦ (Contributed.) In the account given of the Blueßkin Show, in another column, owing to to hurry in which it was compiled, full j isfrce has not in some respects been done to the exhibitors. It will be seen that the silver cup presented by Messrs P. Hayman and Co. for the most points in cattle was taken by Mr W. Cowan, the points for that gentleman being 25 ; for Mr Ferguson, 22 ; and Mr Orr, of Oamaru, 13 ; the last named gentleman's exhibits not being so numerous as the other two, which included Ayrshires, Provincials and Short* horns, whereas Mr Orr's were solely on Ayrshires. The points for the saddle presented by Messrs Briscoe and Co. for horses were, Mr K. B. Ferguson, 16; Mr Col. M'Dqnald, 12 ; and Mr Geo. M'Lean, 11, Mr Ferguson thus taking the saddle as Btated. In dairy produce, Mrs Weatherston was the second prize taker, and as she was first for f reßh butter, and first for cheese, she is the winner this year of Messrs Kohn and Co.'s present of a silver cup, now circulating for the third year, the prior winner having been Mrs J. Swineherd and Mra Young. Taking a general view of the Show, we may state that prize stock from the Taieri, Palmeraton, Peninsula, and Oam->ru was on the ground, and the animals all beaten, excepting those from Oamaru, which thus kept its position as premier for the season of the principal shows held. Indeed, the exhibits in Ayrshire cattle, without exception, were the best of any held in the province, taking from the time of the last Dunedin Show to the concluding one now held. MrOir may well be proud of his cow " Rosie," for one was the admired of a'l admirers, and justly entitled to win the cup presented by the Rev Mr Stanford. She took first honours previously at Palmerston and the Taieri, but was not shown at Dunedin. Shorthorn stock was not such a creditable display as Ayrshire, although Mr Geo. M'Lean may be complimented on presenting a very superior yearling heifer, which took the sweepstakes as the animal of most merit in its Bection. The show was superior in entire draught horses and two-year-old animals, Rob the Ranter, the best entire, having been first for two year* in succession at Palmers* ton. For the sweepstakes between him and Mr Ferguson's yearling filly Maggy

Grey- sire, imported, Sir George Grey— the judges were longer in arriving at a decision than in any other section, thus proving the closeness of the merits of the animals. In dairy produce the exhibits were not confine d to the district proper, but were from other parts as well— principally north. Acquainted as we a*e with all the settleis around Blueskin, with few exceptions there was not a family unrepresented at tho show, a fact indicative of the interest taken in the proceedings of the day. In conclusion, we would impress upon the committee of management of this show the desirability of making some improvements prior to the next exhibition. A few seat 3 around the cattle and horse lings for ladies and children, and also near the butter shed, -would be much appreciated, for nothing is go tiring as standing in one position for a length of time or lounging about. Indeed, as it is apparent a much larger and better arranged plan for dairy produce will have to be provided, the present shed might be utilised aa a shelter with sitting-room accommodation. On the day of the show The shed was crammed full of produce, there being only a narrow sort of passage for visitors to pass along whilst viewing the contents of the place. The result was a general squeeze, with a temperature approaching that of an oven, so that people were glad to make their way into the open air aa quickly as they could. As this department; is increasing year by year, the committee should appoint nine judges, for ib seems to be perfectly impossible for three gentlemen to judge satisfactorily so much butter as 210 samples in such a short time, besides numerous en1 tries in cheese, ham, bread, &c Indeed, the judges must have had difficulties to surmount which they never 6xpected wh<m innocently leaving their places of residence for say a day's pleasure, for the concurrent testimony of experts is, that as a whole the butter of all sorts was really first-class, even the Btamped week-old being nearly all fit for any table or any place of exhibition. In making these remarks we do not impugn the judges' abilities or decisions, for in no case have we heard of any complaints being made. I