OTAGO A, & P. SOCIETY'S SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 1932, 30 November 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

OTAGO A, & P. SOCIETY'S SHOW.

FIRST DAY.

Tt**% id a ent > A m?^ I*™'1 *™' EB qi Vice-president and fco M 8U r re^ C Smifch > M 8( J5 Hon Veterinary isZTiyLXt::: Esq ' s Skßin * cr ' Es^ Committee: Messrs Joseph Allan, T Brydone, R Charters, GDowae, JDuthie, HDriver.Kß Ferguson, f p^ url f- f Gow, J A Johnson, W Patrick, W T ™ P a J .? e * ke> John Eeid ' J B Eeld . M Sinclair, James Smith, jun, G G Hussell, J D Ritchie, J Roberts, EJjSpenee, D Sfcronach, W D Sutherland, Honorary Stewards: The presidents of kindred associations throughout the province, Messrs John £ it' 1 ' John Blair > D Bacon, A C Begg, H Buokland, W R Cameron, Dr Coughtrey, T Oosuns, w Cowan, John Duncan, J A Duthie. J M Douglas, James Gall, R Gawn, J L Gillies, J Grindley. J Fleming, James Hazlett, IS H Hart, A Imrie, C W Kerr, P Meenan, B Menlove, John M'Cauley, John M'Caw, L Maclean, James Robin, J F lieid, G Rutherford, John Stephenson, James Stewart, S G Smith, J Toomey, Win Wright. The eleventh annual show in connection with the Ofcago Agricultural and Pastoral Association was opened on the Association's grounds, Tahuna Park, yesterday. Some changes had been made in order to obtain the most desirable result of making the show as popular as possible, and the result so far has proved that the changes were not ill. advised. The show is a little later in the year than formerly, and it was hoped that better weather would be experienced than if it was held on the usual dates. In the matter of weather misfortune seems to follow the association. During the ■earlier part of yesterday the weather was decidedly threatening, and later on the threats were fulfilled, as there were numerous rather sharp showers just about the time people would leave town for the show. Throughout the afternoon there were occasional brief glimpses of sunshine— quickly chased away, however, by cold squalls of wind and rain, that sent visitors in haste to the nearest available shelter. This state of affairs was highly uncomfortable, and it was really surprising to see, under the circumstances, so large a number of spectators. There were about 2000 present at the busiest time — a remarkable change indeed from the •deserted aspect the ground used to wear on ■a first day when the society maintained the naif-crown rate of admission. Unless we are snuch mistaken, the new, departure taken in this matter will be adhered to in future years. The reason for fixing a price that virtually excluded the general body of the public on the first day was chiefly an idea that the presence of spectators in large numbers might interfere with the important work of judging. Yesterday's experience did not confirm this notion, as most of the judges would probably admit. There may have been some slight inconvenience or delay caused In certain cases, but if so it was very trifling, and by no means sufficiently marked to make ib worth while continuing the old arrange- i ment. Besides, a large amount of judging has always been done on the second day, so the former plau lacked consistency. As showing how great a change has been worked by the adoption of the shilling rate for the opening day, 1021 people paid for admission at the gates yesterday, and about 1000 complimentary and exhibitors' tickets were used. Last year £15 was taken for admission on ;She first day, which at the higher rate would .-account for the presence of only 110 people. .As i-sgards the general appearance of the vgrouHtf, it looked on entering rather more tfully oeeupied than usual. This was due -partly to the good display of agricultural •implements near the entrance, and partly to ■the large quantity of canvas on the ground. "There were quite a number of tents, most of <£hem of considerable size, but none larger, Ihowever, than the marquee erected by the Women's Christian Temperance Union, which did a brisk luncheon and light refreshment trade during the day. There were one or two tents erected by exhibitors, the New Zealand Drug Company for the display of their sheep dip and manures, the New Zealand Hardware Company, &c. ; the booth of our old acquaintance, the sword shallower, whose presence at agricultural shows has become a matter oi course ; and a large marquee near the gates was provided for the "model dairy." Beyond these were more refreshment tents, including one wherein Mr A. Owen, of the Ship Inn, and Mr Hopkins provided a first-class 3unch for the judges, stewards, &c. The •catering was thoroughly well done, and in •fact the society may be complimented upon the excellence of all the arrangements in .connection with the show. The catalogues were well got up, as usual, and contained a jplan of the ground, showing the locality of .the various exhibits, which must have been •very useful to strangers. So much has been done in the way of improving the ground during previous years that there is little or no alteration to report on this occasion. The park is as well fitted for show purposes by this time as can be desired. A hill there used to be at the furthest extremity of the gronnd has been removed, and it was noticeable that the grass over the "whole area has taken strong roob and is flourishing. The strip of ground immediately fronting the stalls is worn bare, but that ifi owing to the fact that stabling accommodation has lately been provided there for ; *he large mob of horses just shipped to India, and there has not been time to get the ground back into its old .condition. The ■Garrison Band, under 1 Mr D. Wishart, were ■engaged by the societyrandinspite of thein+i cmc - n } weather theykept their station about the middle of the gjound, and gave an excellent s>roerramme of mv" : ~ J-~'J -~ '■ — -.-*<-- ,

the popularity of the association's annual show. Of the classes judged yesterday we give the following particulars : — CATTLE.

SHORTHORNS

In this class the fuie hhorfchorns from the herds of Mr E. Menlove, Windsor Park, Oamaru, and Mr Johu Deans, Ricc.irton, Ohristchurch, were, as usual, greatly admired. The other exhibitors were Mr J A. Towmend, Mr S. Garforth, Mr James iShacd, and the New Zealand and Australian Land Company. The competition, however, lay mainly between Messrs Menlove and Deane, the former eventually coming out victorious two points to the good, the scores being— Menlove 20 points, Deans 18. In the class for three-year-olds, Mr Menlove's celebrated bull, Oxford's Roan Duke, well known to exhibitors at both the Dunedin and Oamaru shows, entered the ring in splendid condition and secured the red ticket, beating Mr Deans' two representatives. In two-year-olds Mr ' Deans entered the field alone, and was. awarded two well-deserved prizes. The first prize bull in this class showed good all-round quality, and would have been hard to beat in the best company. Iv yearlings again, however, Mr Meiilove came to the front, and took the two first prizes over Mr Deans; while among the I cows hiscelebrated Coax XXIV was once more the heroine of the ring, and in addition secured the prize for She champion cow. Like the bull, she wa3 sent out in the pink of condition, and her many good points appeared to the best advantage. The second prize in this class was allotted to a compact cow shown by Mr J. Shand, and Mr Menlove was third with Roan Summerton 11. In the class for three-year-old heifers was Mr Deans' Queen of May X and Mr Menlove's Bright's Roan Duchess, and the rivalry on this occasion resulted in Mr Deans scoring a win. This gentleman was also first in the class for two-year-old heifers, his Roan Summertou IV beating both of Mr Menlove's exhibits, which were Summerton's Roan Duchess and Oxford's Duchess of Brunswick. In yearling heifers the Riccarton breeder was again first, with Duchess of Brunswick IX, who comes of the good Gunterstone blood. Mr Meulove sent up Oxford's Roan Duke for the championship, and won that prize from Mr Deans' Florist IV ; while, as already mentioned, his Ooax XXIV was awarded the champion prize for the besc cow in the yard. AYRSHIBES.

The show of Ayrshires has now for some time past beeu a remarkably good one. Indeed, it seems to improve year after year. On this occasion ifc was certainly the feature of the show, and it is quite safo to say that no such show of Ayrshire cattle has ever been seen south of the line. This is as it ought to be, for New Zealand is pre-eminently a dairying country, and the increased atteution which is being devoted to this pursuit will no doubt have the effect of stimulating our breeders of Ayrshire cattle to still greater exertions in the direction of improving their herds. The competition this year in every class was extraordinarily keen, and if there are some good judges who differ with the official decisions it is not at all to be wondered at, for in many cases it must have just a toss-up which animal should receive the coveted red ticket. In the three-year-old bulls a fine ring of seven came before the judges, and after a good deal of attention Mr Gemmell's Baron of Oxbill and Mr K. B. Ferguson's Ayrshire King were singled out as the two best. Some thought Ayrshire King, who was never seen to better advantage, would have secured first honours, but the judges were unanimous in placing the Oamaru bull before him. This animal is really a fine specimen of the breed. He is an imported bull, and was recently purchased by Mr Gemmell from Messrs Oargill and Anderson, who by all accounts, though they did not enter the show rings, must have had some very superior cattle on their estate. Mr Ferguson's bull, though not getting first, was certainly a very handsome specimen, with fine loin and a capital shoulder. Messrs M'Farlane's Young Baron 2nd could only get into third place, while Mr Cowan's Lord Bute, Mr Jeffrey's Jock of Laird, and Mr Ferguson's Tahana 3rd, though all good bulls, had to retire uuplaced. In the nest class — viz., for two-year-olds, Mr Cowan came off victorious with Surprise, beating Mr P. Ireland's Young Carlo, who was second, Mr Ferguson's Cock-a-Bendy 2nd, Mr T. White's Maxim, and Messrs M'Farlane's bull out of the well-known cow Rosey Kinross 3rd. The yearlings were a splendid lot, no fewer than 11 entering the ring. Mr Cowaa was again victorious, with Curly, a pretty and fine-coloured young bull, Messrs M'Farlane running him close with a somewhat similar style of animal. Messrs M'Farlane also took third prize, and Mr Cowan cut in again with a fourth. The beaten exhibitors were James Fegan, M Gregor Bros., A. M'ESy, and K. B. Ferguson. In the class for cow in milk, 4yrs old 'or over, five very fine animals entered the ring. Public opinion seemed to be pretty well divided between M'Farlane's welj-known old cow Favourite, an imported animal, and Gemmell'a cow by Champion, as to which should receive the red ticket. Gemmell's cow has a fine back, straight as a die, with a good tail and a capital head, but her udder is, if anything, a little deficient, the front teats especially being set rather too much on the outside. This defect might not have been quite so noticeable had a quart or two of milk been drawn off from these teats. The cow, too, was rather badly shown off by her attendant, who persisted in keeping her head too high, and thereby spoiling the look of her shoulders. Messrs M'Farlane's cow, on the other hand, is noted for a splendid vessel ; in fact, it is very nearly perfection, except that the hind teat 3 are rather too small ; and she has other good points besides. The judg&s, however, were unanimous in placing her second to Mr Gemmell's cow, who ' was certainly a fine specimen and had a very taking appearance. Mr Cowan got third prize with his Miss Hedley, out of his well-known Bright Smile, while Mr M'Kay was fourth with Heriot. Mr Cowan's Fancy was the unplaced cow. In cow in calf, Messrs M'Farlane pretty well swept the board of the prizes with some really grand cattle, but Mr Cowan had rather hard luck in not getting higher up in the list than fourth place. Mr Ferguson's Queen of the Roses was unplaced. In the next two classes Messrs M'Farlane were victorious, Messrs Gemmell and Cowan securing the second prizes ; but in two-year-olds in milk Mr Cowan came to the front with Stately, a very sweet little heifer. In the dry class, however, he was aaain beaten