OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2103, 14 June 1894, Page 14

OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

WINTER SHOW. THE OPENING CEREMONY. The dcors of the hall were thrown open at 2 p.m. on Thursday, and the building was in a very short space of time well filled with people. There was very little ceremony in connection with the opening of the show. Mr W. Patrick, president of the society, briefly introduced Mr John Roiierts, C M.G , who said that he had gladly acceded to the request of the committee of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society to open the show. He had first to "make an explanation on behalf of the committee. They regretted very much they had been unable to postpone the opening, which they would have done if possible, in order to allow those present, who thought fit to do so, to attend the funeral of Mr Vincent Pyke. He was sure it would have been acceptable to the whole of them if they had been able to attend and pay the last tribute of respect to the memory of a man who was for so long associated with the interests of Otago, and who had been ' such a faithful public servant. As to the show, this was the first winter show that the association had instituted, and he thought the public would find that the exhibits were of no mean order. They were too numerous for him to name, but he should place first of all the dairy exhibits — tbe butter aud cheese —as the principal features of the show. The exhibition of these articles was one which exhibitors themselves might be proud of, aud Otago might well be proud of them too. The dairy industry, to his mind, was assuming such dimensions and growing so rapidly in importance that before many years it would take second or third place among cur exports. The committee desired him to say that they had found themselves somewhat crowded for space. At first, and up to the last ten days or so, tne entries of agricultural and diiry produce and other things for the display of which the show was instituted, had come in somewhat slowly, and with the view of allowing tho people to see more than was then promising the committee invited manufacturers and others to make a display of goods. This invitation had been largely responded to. But the committee^desired to say that haviDg met with so much success in regard to the collection of farm aud dairy produce and so forth, they hoped to be able to confite next year's show to exhibits entirely of that order — hams and bacon, butter aud chesae, root-, grain, Feeds, and utensils used in dairviug, and articles connected with the production of agricultural products. The public might therefore look to having more of a country show next year, when we hope the display of these goods will be such as to require the whole of the floor space. The speaker then proceeded to apologise for the absence of Mr Valentine, the Government dairy expert, who was to have spoken, and he also intimated that the committee were not sure that Mr Gilruth, the Government veterinary surgeon, would be able to attend to read his paper. Mr Reynolds would, however, give bis address on the following day on the dairy industry. In concluding, Mr Roberts said that the thanks of the association and of the public were due to the worthy secretary, Mr E. F. Duthie, who had worked very hard to make the show a succes?, and thanks were also due to the committee for their exertions in placing the exhibits before the public. — (Applause ) The executive of the Otago Agricultural ard Pastoral Society cannot have ventured to hope in their most sanguine moinentß that their first experiment in the direction of holding a winter show of dairy produce, grain, agricultural seeds, and root crop 3 would prove so signally successful as the event has proved. The show, which was opened in the Garrison Hall on Thursday, has produced a display of cheese aud butter which may, without exaggeration, be described as a credit to the colony ; of the exhibit of hams and bscou it is possible to speak in similarly favourable terms ; and there is also an admirable display of grain, seeds, and roots. The invitation issued by the committee of the society some short time ago to manufacturers to participate in the exhibition has also met with a liberal response— co much t>o that several ot Ilia exhibi-

tors are much cramped for space ; but tho success of the present show is already such, and the possibilities of its development in future years are 30 great, that, as has been thus early indicated, it is likely that next year the exhibition will be strictly confined to produce and to appliances used in connection with the dairying and I agricultural industries. The success of the show in respect to the quality of the exhibits is, of course, exceedingly satisfactory, and— what is of great moment to the society — there is very little d^ubt also bub that it will be financially successful beyond all preconceived notions. To this end the Railway Commissioners have contributed in large degree, for of the hundreds of people who have poured into Dunedin during the past thirty-six hours, provided with the excursion tickets issued both north and south at the railway stations, a large proportion found their way yesterday to the Garrison Hall, which was thronged both in the afternoon and evening. Over 1000 persons paid for admission on Thursday afternoon, and the attendance iv the evening was about as great, the returns showing that the number of tickets which were sold at the doors up to 10 p.m. was 2099. THE EXHIBITS. CHEESI). There was one exhibit of cheese which proved the attraction par excellence in the hall, and that was the monster cheese, weighing 1150, which had been made by the Wyndham Dairy Factory, and in which was distributed £10 in gold and silver coins. This cheese was announced for sale in small parcels at a shilling each, and whether it was on account of the element of gambling which was introduced in the chance a purchaser had of finding half a sovereign or any coin of less value in his parcel, or whether it was from a general desire to test the quality of the cheese made at the Wyndham factory, there was simply a rush made for shillingsworths, and before the afternoon was over one-half of the great cheese had been sold. The committee did not deem It advisable to dispose of the whole of the cheese on the first day of the show, and consequently kept half of it for the visitors on the second day. For the challenge cup, presented by Messrs John M 'Nairn and Sons, for the best lOcwt of full-cream New Zealand cheddarshaped coloured cheese, made since the Ist November last — the cup requiring to be won three times before it becomes the property of the exhibitor, the successful competitor receiving however, a gold medal added by the society — there was splendid competition. Fifteen or 16 factories entered the lists, some of them with more than one exhibit, and the quality of the cheese shown was such as to be highly gratifying to the judges. It was not without very careful examination and until after repeated tests that their decision was made in favour of the Waikouaiti factory — a decision which, as was only to be expected, did not meet with anything like general approval — the Stirling factory being placed second, and the Wyndham third. The consideration which influenced the judges in arriving at the decision which was finally declared was that the Waikouaifci cheese was of the best flavour and most suitable for the London market. The flavour is mild and the colour is light, both points calculated to make iv acceptable to the English public. Eight factories competed in the class for cheese made prior to the lbt November 1893, and here again j the laurels were carried away from the ! south, being secured by the Waiareka factory. I The Wyndham and Stirling factories again ! gained the other "places," but the order they j occupied in the first class was now reversed. There was some capital colonial-made Stilton cheese exhibited by Messrs Tothill, Watson, and Co , but there was no competition. KUTTKR. Iv the butter, as iv the cheese, section of the show there was excellent competition, and the produce shown spoke volumes in favour of the cleanliness of the dairies from which it emanated, very few of these exhibits coming from the factories. The butter was all displayed in an attractive mamier, and whatever may have been the flavour — that is only known to the favoured judges — it had, at any rate, the appearancs of sweetness as well as of freshness. Ihe absence from the pats and j rolls of that oiliness which has been observed ] at the shows in the past was one point which I strongly impressed the visitor, and the benefit which has been derived in this respect through holding a produce show in the winter season is i so obvious that ib is unnecessary to more than mention it. The exhibit of Messrs J. and R. Cuddie, of Mosgiel, in the class for the best four boxes of factory-made butter, fib for export, i secured the only prize that was awarded ; and respecting it the judges expressed the opinion not only that it is very superior, but also that if butter of that quality, made up in the same style, were sent Home it would command the highest price in the London market. Mrs John M'Tdinsh, of the Peninsula, gained first prize in the class for 2!b butter without . salt, her exhibit beiug of a high quality, and she repeated her success in the class , for powdered butter— Mrs W. Jaft'ray in each case coming second ; but in the 1 cla?s fo? fresh butter, a week old, Mins M'Kay secured the first prize, Mrs M'lntosh comiDg second. Mrs W. Diack, who took fir-t prize for fancy butter, had her exhibit put up iv a really artistic form. Messrs J. and R. Cuddie obtained the first pri/.e for salted butter iv a jar, but, owiug to a mistake, the credit was at first given to Mr& A. Stewart.

MILK AND HONEY. There was only one competitor in tho preserved milk section of the show and the prize went to Mr A. H. Highton, of Invercargill (represented hero by Mr H. Rose), whose article has been pronounced to be capital by those who have tried il;. There was limited competition in the honey class and Miss E. Kempßhe)l gained the priz^, while in scones r Miss Grace Frasor had the field to herself. HAMS AND 13ACON. The display of hams and bacon is a really splendid one, and though there might have been a greater quantity exhibited — only four curers are represented, one of the exhibitors hailing from the far south — it would be hardly possible at this time of the year to obtain better quality. Messrs A. and J. M'Farlane have the largest exhibit and are the principal prizefcakers, for no fewer than six first prizes fall to their share, and in three classes they obtained the second as well as the first prize. For sides, green hams, smoked rolls, beef hams, and middles their exhibits obtained the pink ticket, while Mr A. N. Lindsay secured the award for smoked hams, and Messrs Allan and Smith that for green rolled bacon. GRAIN. There is, generally speaking, a very good display of grain, and in some classes — particularly in that for short oats — there is keen competition. For white wheat, Mr Lefevre, of Hampden, secured first prize with a capital sample, but experts considered the red wheat to be of superior quality, and the judge cannot have decided without much hesitation between the samples exhibited by Mr F. Aitkinson and Mr W. Bennett. The former's exhibit of red velvet was eventually preferred to the Tuscan shown by Mr Bennett. The Tartarian oats exhibited by Mr Hamner which secured for him the first prize in the long class were much admired, and in the short oats class, for which there were the large number of 25 entries, the Sutherlands shown by Mrs Miller were of such exceptional quality that there could not be much grumbling about the award in her favour. Mr D. Lucas took second place with an exhibit of short Tartarians, and Mr J. Thornton's sample of Sutherlands was placed third. Messrs G. Lintott and Co. took the prize in the barley class with a sack of Chevalier. SEEDS AND ROOTS. The remarkable success achieved by Messrs Nimmo and Blair in the section devoted to agricultural seeds was undoubtedly a feather in their cap. As it is, they obtained 18 first prizes in competition with the agents of the famous firm of Sutton and Sons, of England ; and even when allowance is made for the fact that the firm who have the show held at their doors are placed at a great advantage, the position gained by them is one of which they may well feel proud. The superiority of their exhibit is not denied by their opponents, but the latter feel that they were handicapped this year, and they promise a big contest in the show of 1895. The quality of the seed all round is exceedingly good, and in some instances specially so. There were two competitors in tho class for the best assortment of farm produce, and both exhibits — that of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company's totara estate and that of Mr Walter Blackie — are so good that the judge solved his difficulty in distinguishing between them by awarding two first prizes. In the majority of the classes of root crops there was capital competition. The swede turnips were a very good class, and the judge bad some hesitation in making his award, which was finally in favour of Mr K. B. Ferguson, who also took first prize for Aberdeens. Messrs Tothill, Watson, and Co. gained the award for hybrid turnips, but in the while-fleshed class the New Zealand and Australian Land Company showed crops of such phenomenal size that there was no question about the destination of the prize. The mangels and carrots call for no special remarks, but the potatoes are good, and the exhibit with which Mr Blackie obtained first prize in the garden class is especially worthy of remark. MANUFACTURES. The Defiance churn, invented by Mr W. M. Walters, of Mornington, was shown at work in a corner of the hall, and attracted a great deal of attention. This churn, for which Messrs W. E. Reynolds and Co. are the agents, gives, it is maintained — and with every show of reason — complete control over the temperature of the cream in any climate, and the great advantage which is claimed for it is that the cream is perfectly aerated, the butter thoroughly granulated — a result achieved with a minimum of labour — and all the deleterious gases set free and not imprisoned in the granules, as has been known to oi'cur in the manufacture of butter by some other machines. The butter made by the Defiance churn will, it is said, keep sound and good for 40 or 50 days without any preservatives. The regulation of the temperature of the cream is secured by filling the outer receDtacle of the churn with hot or cold water, according to requirement, and in practice it has been found that the contrivance works best when tlis cream is at a temperature of 60 or 62 degrees. Several interesting tests with the churn were made during the afternoon. On oue occasion (he churn, beiug worked against time, butter was obtained iv one minute and six seconds ; but, of course, butter which is intended lo be kept for any length of time cannot be made so speedily as that, and a test with a two ami a-half gallon churn resulted in butter coming in a trifle under 14 miuutea. A

Babcook milk tester, adopted to the Defiance churn, was also shown at this stand. Messrs Sbronach Bros, and Morris have an exhibit of toxa poisoned grain and paste, the grain being used for the destruction of small birda and the paste for coping with the rabbit plague. Of the efficacy of this poison numerous testimonies have been received. Among others is one to the effect that 550 rabbits were killed by one landowner with the contents of a 2lb tin of toxa ; while another states that in three months on one particular station a quarter of a million of rabbits were killed by means of the poison. It is claimed as a great point in favour of toxa that rabbits will take it quite as readily in the spring, summer, and autumn months as in winter. Experiments with grain impregnated with this poison are said, moreover, to have proved that it is the most successful preparation that has been discovered for killing small birds. Messrs Stronach Bros, and Morris also show a "detective tatoo earmarker and brand" — an ingenious contrivance devised to defeat sheepstealing — and Page's pateut wire coilor. Messrs Kempthorne, Prosser, and, Co. have a stand at which they exhibit samples of manures prepared by them, the 'qualities of which are evidenced by root crops also exhibited by them. Among the latter are samples of swede turnips grown at Milton, and yielding 40 to 45 tons per acre On land fertilised by their superphosphates, used to the extent of about 3cwt per acre ; samples of potatoes grown at Middlemarch from their special potato manure and yielding about 18 tons per acre ; and samples of turnips and potatoes grown at Milton on land which had been dressed with their manufactures. Messrs Nimmo and Blair have a general exhibit of seeds and roots grown from thdr own seeds. The seeds, a great many of which were grown by the firm, are apparently of the finest quality, while the root crops are large and well shaped. For their requirements for the year Messrs Nimmo and Blair laid down close on 600 acres in Canterbury, North Otago, and Marlborough, and their produce has not only found its way all over New Zealand and Australia, but has been largely exported to England, and the firm have also shipped to Germany, France, and Italy, and this year to Central India. A feature of the exhibit is a couple of sods of Chewings's fescue — a grass which is particularly suited for dry, stony, or pumice land. One of the sods was taken from a paddock which has been down 20 years and tho other from land which has been under fescue for three years. The root crops include potatoes, owedes, Aberdcens (in variety), white turnips, and mangolds. Messrs Weight, Sbephenson, and Co. exhibit a special collection of seeds and grain, including a specially dressed sample of cocksfoot weighing 221b to the bushel. A very interesting exhibit by the same firm is a collection of Otago-grown wool, the present market prices being ticketed on each fleece, and they also exhibit wool in the various processes of manufacture, from the raw material to the yarn. A collection of manures completes their exhibit. Messrs Tothill, Watson, and Co., of Invercargill, who are the sola agents in Otago and Southland for the well-known firm of Sutton and Sons, of Reading (England), exhibit full sets of seeds raised by their principals, and displayed in the neat form which is characteristic with the latter. About 50 samples of grasses, clover, and turnip seeds, the productiveness of which is attested by certificates from some of the largest landowners in Southland, are included in the exhibit. Special mention may be made of a sample of Cbewings's fescue, grown by Mr G. Chewings (of Mossburn), after whom the grass was named by Messrs Tothill, Watson, and Co., in order to distinguish it from hard fescue. A quantity of roots grown from Sutton's seeds is also shown. The whole of the exhibit of seeds shown in competition by Messrs Tothill, Watson, and Co. was taken from their bulk stock of samples in Invercargill, and was not specially dressed for competition purposes. Messrs A. and T. Burt show a general assortment of dairy and farming implements, including curdmills, butterworkers, Babock mill testers, Blackstone separators, rabbit exterminator, pumps, rams, turbines, force and lift injectors, and all the necessary brass work connected with dairying plant. A high pressure spray pump for spraying fruit trees, fitted with Burt's patent "triune cyclone jet" — an appliance which is sold all over the island — a vinery heating apparatus which is simple in its construction and effective in its operation and which can be fitted without the aid of a mechanic, and Fischer's patent bath heater, with the use .of which water will, it is claimed, be heated to boiling point in the space of three minutes, are included in the exhibit. As agents in Otago for Messrs Masoti, Struthers, and Co., of Christchurch, Messrs A. and T. Burt show an Alpha separator. Messrs J. W. Faulkner and Co. have a capital little exhibit of their manufactures. They have recently added to the list of articles turned out by them, galvanised iron buckets, tubs, and baths, many of which, in appearance are equal to anything on the market, are exhibited, together with a substantial and ornamental gate and a quantity of wire netting of various widths and different sizes of meshes. Messrs Reii and Gray have a very complete exhibit of their manufactures, including among other items a model of their new patent manure sower " The Eureka," which, it is claimed, will sow any description of artificial manure. On the stand were also Gray's patent steel points for ordinary steel shares, and samples of their new patent reversible wing steel and cast shares. Besides these there are samples of their ordinary castings, and broken samples showing the chill which is given to the cast shares and mouldboards to perfection. This chill makes the casting considerably harder than steel. Samples of wire strainers, patent turnip canisters, rollers for chaffcutters, mill-made spur pinion?, brass bearings, binder twine, pump plungers, and an assortment of threshing mill' fittings complete the exhibit. Mention should also be made of a case containing some of the many medals received by the firm, the mosb noticeable being the gold medal of the Sydney Exhibition for double-furrow ploughs ; three gold medals given at the Melbourne Exhibition for double-furrow plough, force-feed sowing machine, and collective exhibit ; gold medal from the Tasmanian Exhibition for combined grain, turnip, and manure drill. Taking it all through, this stand reflects very great credit on Messrs Reid and Gray, and is full of interest to the farming community. The Mosgiel Woollen Company have an admirable display of their manufactures — the exhibit not, however, having been specially prepared, but having been taken from goods made to order by them (they do not keep stock) for delivery in July and August. There was a large display of Wakatipu and Monowai rugs of a similar description to one which was sent to the Duke of York on the occasion of his marriage last year. A number of tartan rugs which are reversible (two tartans having been woven together), shawls in great variety, and men's, women's, and children's hosiery (including stronger makes for country wear) also form part of the exhibit ; while there are some special lines, such as fine Saxony tweeds of the latest colourings and designs, strong saddle tweeds made of twisted yarns, regulation volunteer and police cloths (including karkee),

Saxony and West of England tweeds, mohair checks in various colours, dress tweeds, gentlemen's worsteds, and table clothing, which are all worthy of attention. The blankets, which are warranted "a' ac 'oo'," include a splendid specimen in lambs' wool of very fine texture, and there is also some admirable flannel from the same class of wool. The most recent manufacture of the company has been heavy merino curtains, suitable for door hangings, a sample of which is shown, and - the exhibit is completed by photographs of the factories and of the interior of the Mosgiel mill. An exhibit which attracted, as it deserved to attract, a large share of public notice has been forwarded from Central Obago, and adduces a powerful argnment in favour of prosecution of the national work of connecting the interior with a market. It comprises samples of root crops, grain, and fruit grown in the Naseby, Gimmerburn, Kyeburn, Eweburn, Hamiltons, and White Sow Valley districts . Some of the root crops, the exhibitors of which are Messrs John Weir, W. N. Mawhinney, R. W. Glendining, R. Sinclair, T. Jackson, and R. Logan, are of enormous size ; there are samples of barley grown by Messrs Baxter Bros., and of wheac grown by Messrs J. Law, S. Law, J. Dawson, Ramsay Bros, and Co. (Hyde), and the Maniototo Flour Mill Company ; and of seeds grown by Mrs John Campbell. Moreover, there is a sample of flour gristed by the Maniototo Flour Mill Company, and there were when the show was opened to the public three tins of biscuits made by Mr J. Dawson, of Naseby, from flour gristed from locally-grown wheat, but the contents of these tins having been sampled were found to be so palatable that within a few hours the whole had disappeared. Apples are contributed to the exhibit by Messrs Hjorring, Dickson, Pearson, and Dr Church, and pears by Messrs Foster and Glen, and concerning one variety of the apples shown there is the authority of a leading local pomologist for the statement that nothing to equal them either for size or flavour has been seen in Dunedin. Mr S. R. Stedman has a neatly fitted up bay devoted to an exhibit of cycles. A promij vent feature of the display is the pneumatic sulky, with which, when it was still in an unfinished state, the trotting horse Berlin Abdallah established a two-mile record at Tahuna Park last month. Tho exhibit also includes a Raleigh road racer, fitted with patent gear case, with lubricator to ensure a continuous oiling of the ohain ; a ladies' Raleigh safety with gear case and 26in wheels ; a special Humber racer, which is fitted — as indeed are all the machines in the exhibit — with 1894 tyres, backed with compressed cotton, an article claimed to be much better and stronger than canvas, which was used for the backing of the 1893 tyres ; a Premier machine with helical tubing, which has, it is said, been tested to stand three times the strain of ordinary tubing ; and an Austral safety manufactured by Humber and Co. for the Australasian colonies. All the Raleigh's in the exhibit, it may be mentioned, are fitted with patent interchangeable gear. Messrs Scoullar and Chisholm exhibit in a tastefully arranged bay, a complete bedroom suite. This includes a 7ft double-winged wardrobe in red pine with mottled kauri facings, and with a bevel plate-glass mirror in each wing. A duchesse table and semi-pedestal marble-topped washstand, an Italian bedstead trimmed with velvet cretonne, and with chairs and towel rail to match the rest of the furniture. The whole of the suite, which is exceedingly handsome in design, was manufactured on the firm's premises in Dunedin, and justly reflects credit upon them. The Phcenix Confectionery Company exhibit, in the form of a trophy, in a conspicuous parb of the hall, a special collection of biscuits, confectionery, jams, candied peels, self-raising flour, honey, and other goods displayed in a manner which, while attractive, is so secure that visitors to the show were not afforded the chance of helping themselves as they freely did in the case of the exhibit of the Maniototo biscuit maker. The Drapery Importing Company having Becured the stage have the best stand in the hall, and have put it to the beßt possible use in displaying a comprehensive selection of their manufactures of furniture. This includes a drawing room suite, a dining room suite in buffalo, and a bedroom suite in red pin? with bird's eye maple facings, in addition to which the company exhibit complete furniture for a kitchen and such other articles as a piano, a dining room sideboard, a hall stand, a writing table, and sundry bedsteads. The exhibit is a very attractive as well as a large one, and secured favourable comment from all who inspected it. Messrs A. Morrison and Co. have a capital display of dairy appliances, including a Babcock tester— the object of which is, as a large placard informs visitors, " to toll the poor cows from the good 'uns" — perfection gates for milk and cream vats, refrigerators for farmers' and factory use, steam injectors for dairy factory purposes, water gauge cocks, milk cans, ventilators, cheese hoopa, factory cranes, curd knives, hydraulic rams, hose, and American planished copper. Mr Charles Hallam, of South Dunedin, exhibits a patent buggy seat, which is adjustable to any description of two or four-wheeled vehicle, and appears to be very convenient. Tho advantage claimed for this invention is that it dispenses with the loose hind seat and cushion as .it present in use, the hind seat being so arranged as to form a comfortable and easy back rest when only two persons are riding, which is moat frequently the case in two-wheel vehicles. If three or four persons are required to be seated, the back rest falls down and forms the hind seat, the ordinary lazy back coming into position at the same time, when there are seats for four persons. There are no loose parts. Mr J. R. Scott exhibits an Alexandra Cream Separator, which is worked on the centrifugal principle, and will, it is claimed, separate more quickly than the majority of appliances in use for the purpose. Messrs J. H. Stanley and Co. exhibit samples of Chesterfield and Coral Queen guano, M'Dougal's fluid dip, and Lawes's dip — these being both cold water and non-poisonous fluids— and Lawes's manures and super-phosphates. Messrs M. Donaghy and Co. (Limited), of Dunedin, show a fine exhibit of rope and binder and seaming twines for woolpacks and cornsacks. Among the ropes is a 12-inch Manila hawser weighing 1| tons, which was manufactured for the Union Steam Ship Company. There are also three and four strand Manila ropes, Manila whale and yacht lines, New Zealand flax whale and yacht lines, and Manila mixed and Italian binder twines, as well as Europe rope and Russia hemp tarred bolt rope. The exhibit is a very valuable one, and the excellence of the manufacture of the rope and binding twino turned out by the firm is ho well known as to make it unnecessary to say any thiug with regard to its duality. The manufacture of seaming twino has only recently been entered upon by Messrs Donaghy and Co , but has already assumed large proportions. Messrs A. and J. M'Farlane, of Maclaggan and Princes streets, have a remarkably good exhibit of hams and bacon of their own curing, which attracted a cousiderable amount of attention. It may be mentioned that they make a.

specialty of curing, and the fact that they secured no less than six first prizes for their exhibits against great competition is sufficient of itself to show, if proof were wanted, that the products turned out from their factory are of a very high-class quality. But the several classes of goods on view looked so tempting that anyone at a glance would be prepared to pronounce them good without sampling them. Messrs Fergusson and Mitchell exhibit samples of 12 kinds of wrapping paper manufactured at their mills at Woodhaugh. Specially noticeable among these are their drapers' cap papers and papers for confection and fruit bags, the production of which in the quality exhibited is a distinct advance in the papermaking industry of this colony. They show also three qualities of glazed brown packing paper, besides an extra thin quality for drapers, ironmongery brown, grocer'B grey, and three qualities of hosiery packing papers, as well as bags of glazed paper for grocers' use. Messrs Bates, Sise, and Co. exhibit a separator made by the Chrystal Creamery Company, of Michigan, in which the ventilation and aeration are claimed td be perfect ; and also an improved separator from the Barden Automatic Cream Separator Company's works, Washington, the principle of which is that when the milk is run off the aperture is automatically closed by a loaded plug. A patent butter box c f a class which is largely used in the United States in shipping is also exhibited by the firm. The Productive Manure Syndicate have an exhibit of manures, of which their f pecial turnip fertiliser is a prominent feature." Mr Walter Blackio, of Glasgow Farm, East Taieri, shows a varied collection of the produce of his farm, which secured the shield awarded by the society, on behalf of Sir J. B Lawe', for the best managed small farts The exhibit includes ouch diversity of products as sheaves of grain, trusses of hay, eggs, ngriculfcural seeds, vegetables, fruit, butter, fruit jelly, econes, and oat cake 3. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Ccmpeny exhibit Maiden Island guano and a collection of roots grown with it, Blundell's wool-marking oil, turnip manure, and Larney's anthelmintic, the latter being a specific for the cure of parasitic diseases. Messrs Murray, Roberts, and Co. show a collection of seeds (the cocksfoot in which was cleaned by Wheeler's patent machine, for which Moritzson aud Hopkins are agents), and samples of Fison and Co.'s manures. Cooper's sheepdipping powder, and Little's fluid sheep dip. Messrs D. Reid and Co. and the National Mortgage and Agency Company show cjllections of grain grown by clients. Mr Thomas Morris, of Sawyers' Bay, has on view a number of his manufactures, consisting of his " Magic Healing Extract," for cuts, bruises, &3., a wash for cows' teats, an ■"electtjc colic drench," a wash for girth galls, sores, cut 3, &c, and other mixtures, for which he has received' testimonials testifjing to the •excellence of their curative properties. Messrs Bannet and Sons have an exhibit of an enamelled mantelpiece and overmantel, a washing machine of simple construction, and a patent table mangle. Mr S. H. Trevena hag a good exhibit of Baddlery, including the latest patent iv men's saddles, and an excellent display of stirrups, bits, spurs, and obher appurtenances. Messrs Brown, Bwing, and Co. have a collection on view of dress tweeds made to their special order, of boys' clothing made by them, and of waterproof clothing made from material specially mauufactured for them. A lr.dy's walking costume in the latest style, exhibited on a frame, is a feature of their display of special interest to the fair sex. Mr F. R Turner shows an admirable collection of art cane chairs and tables, wicker chairs, and lounges, and basketware of all descriptions — goods which have not been specially manufactured for the exhibition, but have been taken out of stock at the factory. Mr Robert Walker, who makes a special feature of the manufacture of milk cans, has an exhibit appropriate to the 6how consisting of various sizes of these cans. Mr Alex. Thompson make? a capital display of tarpaulins, tents, horse clothing, and other goods of a similar description manufaefcured in his premises. Messrs T. and J. Farra show a large variety of their manufactures in the shape of milk cans, patent milk strainers, and buckets, treacle cisterns, grocers' canisters, coal vases, toilet cans, baths, and other tinned and jipanned goods. The Kaitangata Railway and Coal Company exhibit a large block of coal taken from their mine and samples of their " peas " and "nuts." The Milburn Lime and Cement Company show samples of their cement in various forms, some of which underwpofc a test during the day •with exceedingly satisfactory rasults. The New Zealand Starch and Manufacturing Company occupy a stand with a collection of starch made in Duuedin, and exhibited in packets, cases, and in a loose form ; and they also' show soda crystals, made, and culinary essences, prepared by them. Mr James M' Williams his a stand at which there were two machines at work making woollen hosiery. The operations of the machinists were watched with interest as the garments were swiftly knitted from the yarn. Mr R. Lochhead exhibits a Wertheim sewing machine, together with samples of crewel work done by it. Messrs Schlaadt Bros, were unable to find room in the hall itself, but are accommodated with a stand on the landing where they exhibit a kerosene gas engine, which worked with noticeable smoothness, and a circular bench with fret-saw attachments and appliances. Mr F. Perriman, of Ashburton, has an exhibit of Ford's scour and lungworm mixture for sheep. Other exhibits include a special display of flour and oatmeal by Messrs Allan, Steven, and Co. ; a collection of "Planet" flour, made by Messrs R. Hudson ; samples of Van Hassett's rennet, shown by Messrs Neill and Co. ; '•Golden Rock" butter and cheese colouring and rennet, which ii in great use in Victoria, j and is highly spoken of, by Mr John A. Henderson ; an excellent display of plate, cups, and medals is made by Mr Frank Hyama ; and a collection of shields, cups, medals, and other trophies won by various exhibitors at different times at the Otago Society's and other shows, and lent for the occasion, are shown in a case adjoining Mr Hyams's exhibit. Mr Duncan Blair's fleeces of Lincoln wool and Mr John Hogg's crossbred wool form very creditable exhibits ; and the samples of New Zealand dressed fibre, exhibited by Mr James Bell (of Stirling) and Mr A. Simpson (of Kaitangata), are worthy of mention. The hall was "set off" greatly through the assistance of local horticulturists. Messrs Howden and Moncrieff, basides exhibiting a special collection of apples, tested for keepiug and exporting, showed a quantity of cut flowers. Mr John Ings lent a collection of ■choice crysanthemum blooms; and Mr H. G. Carter and Messrs J. H. Pressly and Co. lent .pot plants for the purpose of decorating the "puilding.

PRIZE LIST. The following is the list of awards :— CHEBSE. Judges : Messrs H. Reynolds (Auckland) and J. Familton (Oamaru). Messrs John M'Nairn and Sons' challenge cup for best lOcwt of full-cream New Zealand cheddarshaped coloured cheese, made since Ist November 1593 (with gold medal given by the society). Twenty-one entries— Waikouaiti Dairy Factory 1, Stirling Dairy Factory 2, Wyndham Dairy Factory 3. Two factory-made cheeses, made prior to Ist November 1893. Ten entries— Waiareka Factory 1, Wyndham Factory 2, Stirling Factory 3. Colonial-made stilton cheese. One entry — Tothill, Watson and Co., 1. BUTTER. Four boxes factory-made, fit for export. Four entries —Messrs J. and R. Guddie 1. Two pounds without salt. Thirteen entriesMrs John M'Tainsh 1, Mrs W. Jaffray 2. Two pounds fresh, one week old. Thirteen entries -Miss M'Kay 1, Mrs M'lntoah 2. Two pounds powdered. Thirteen entries — Mr 3 John ai'Tainsh 1, Mrs W. Jaffray 2. Collection of fancy butter. Four entries— Mrs W. Diack 1 and 2; Miss IG. Kempshell highly commended. 101b salted butter in jar. Seven entries— J. and R. Cuddie 1, Miss M'Kay 2. PRESERVED MILK. Four dozen tins of preserved milk, colonial make. One entry— A. 11. Highton 1. HONT.V. ETC. (Judge : W 11. Reynolds.) 201b New Zealand honey. Three entries— Miss Kempshell 1, Mrs A. G. Thomson 2. Scones. Two entries— Miss Grace Fraser highly commended. HAMS AND HACON. (Judge : Mr J. Familton, Oamaru.) Side of smoked bacon. Three entries — A. and J. M'Farlano 1 and 2, A. N. Lindsay commended. Side of green bacon. Three entries— A. and J. M'Farlane 1 and 2, A. N. Lindsay commended. Two smoked harm. Six entries — A. N. Lindsay 1, Allan and Smith 2, A. N. Lindsay commended. Two green hams. Six entries— A. and .1. M'Furlane 1 and 2, Allan aud Smith commended. Rolled bacon (smoked). Eight entries — A. and J. M'Farlane 1, Allan and Smith 2, A. 11. Fal coner and (Jo. commended. Rolled bacon (greeu). TCiijht entries— Allan and Smith 1 and 2, A. and J. M'Farlane commended. Rolled beef hams. One entry— A. and J. M'Farlane 1. Hams, middles. Two entries— A. and J. M'Failane 1. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE. (JRAIN. (Judge : Mr J Fotheringham.) White wheat. Six entries— J. Lefevre 1, D. Murray 2, J. Cameron 3. Red wheat. Seven entries — F. Atkinson 1, W. Bennett 2. Long oats. Seven entries— H. Hamner 1, A. M Kay 2, J. Turnbull 3. Short oats. Twenty-three entries— Mrs Miller 1, D. Lucas 2, J. Turnbull 3. Barley. Two entries — G-. Lintott aud Co. 1, New Zealand aud Australian Land Company 2. SEEDS. (Judge : Mr W. B. Common.) Field beans. One entry — W. Blackie. Linseed. Two entries— Nimmo and Blair 1, John Reid and Son 2. Tares One entry — Large black, Nimmo and Blair 1 ; small black, Nimmo and Blair 1; golden, Nimmo and Blair 1. Rye cirn. Four entries— W. Alexander 1, Nimmo and Blair 2. Perennial ryegrass. Four entries — Nimmo and Blair I and 2. Italian ryegrass. Three entries— Tothill, Watson, and Co. 1, W. Blackie 2. Cocksfoot. Two entries — Nimmo and Blair 1. Crested dogstail. Two entries— Nimmo and Blair 1, Tothill, Watson, and Co. 2. Mammoth long red. Two entries— Nimmo and Blair 1. Mangolds— Champion orange globe. One entry — Nimmo and Blair I. Mangolds— Golden tankard. Two entries — Nimmo and Blair 1. Hard fescue Two entries — Nimmo and Blair 1, Tothill, Watson, and Co. 2. Meadow fescue. Two entries — Nimmo and Blair 1, Tothill, Watson, and Co. 2. Sheep's fescue. Two entries— Nimmo and Blair 1, Tothill, Watson, and Co. 2. Tall fescue. Two entries— Nimmo and Blair 1. Cowgrass clover. Three entries — Nimmo and Blair 1, Tothill, Watson, and Co. 2. Red clover. Two entries — Nimmo and Blair 1, Tothill, Watson, and Co. 2. White clover. Two entries —Nimmo and Blair 1, Totbill, Watson, and Co. 2. Alayko. Two entries— Nimmo and Blair 1, Tothill, Watson, and Co. 2. Best assortment of farm produce. Two entries — N.Z. and A.L. Company and Walter Blackie, each 1. ROOTS, ETC. (Judge : Mr John Elliot, Middlemarch.) Swede turnips Nine entries— X. B. Ferguson 1, J. C. Anderson 2, G. H. Gilray 3 Aberdeen turnips. Eight entries — K. B. Ferguson 1, W. Blackie 2, R. Charters 3, N.Z. and A.L. Company commended. Hybrid turnios. Three entries — Tothill, Watson, and Co. I, N.Z. and A.L. Company 2 White-fleshed turnips. Two entries— N.Z. and A.L. Conipauy 1, Tothill, Watson, and Go. 2. Mammoth long red mangels. Four entries — B. Charters 1, W. Blackie 2, N Z. aud A.L. Company 3. Orange globe mangels. One entry— W. Blackie Golden tankard mangels. Two entries— W. Blackie 1. Red carrots. Two entries— R. Charters 1, N.Z. and A.L. Company 2. Field potatoes (kidney). Four entries — Mr Johnstone 1, N.Z and A L. Company 2. Field potatoes (round). Seven entries— Mr Johnstone 1, John Reid and Son 2, N.Z and A.L. Company 3, D. M'Quilkan commended. Garden potatoes. Three entries — W. Blackie 1, N.Z. and A.L. Company 2, D. M'Quilkan 3. Field Cabbage. Two entries— W. Blackie 1. Second Day — Friday.* The attendance at the winter show of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society on Friday was not so large as on the previous day, the inclemency of the weather interfering materially with it, but there were notwithstanding a considerable number of persons present at all hours of the day, and the visitors had an opportunity — which, in the crush on Thursday, was not available — of examining the exhibits carefully and critically. In the evening the hall was well filled, and the paid admissions fcr the two days were, we are informed, about 3500. Regret was expressed by some of the farming community present that the show did not embrace agricultural implements of the class that is at this season of the year in demand — such implements as dril's and grubbari, and so on ; but while there is, of course, much to bo urged in favour of such an extension of the exhibition, it must not ba forgotten that the holding of a winter show was but an experiment, tried this year for the first time, and it would be unreasonable to expect thut it should be, at once, absolutely complete. The general verdict of the visitors has been that the society has this year accomplished a great deal, and that it deserves considerable credit for the admirable disDlay which it has been the means of collecting." To the executive officers the success of the experiment must be highly gratifying, and to none more so than to the secretary (Mr B. F. Duthie), whose exertions for some time past in connection with the exhibition have baen great and untiring. There was again a large demand on Friday for ehilling's-worths of the large cheese which had been made at the Wyndham Dairy Factory for the society, and which contained various coins to the total amount of £10, and At 8.30 p.m. the last slice was sold-.

a circumstance which was proclaimed by a doubtless well meant but signally feeble attempt at three cheers by the two or three members of committee who had superintended the distribution of the cheese. In connection with the disposal of portions of this mammoth exhibit a capital story obtained circulation on Friday which, if it lacked the element of truth, was at all events ben \trovato, it being to the effect that an*information had been sworn, at the instance of the Social Reform Association, against the president and vice-president of the Agricultural aud Pastoral Society for permitting gambling on their premises. ADDRESS ON DAIRYING. At 2 o'clock on Friday afternoon, at which time there was a good gathering of people in the hall, an address was given by Mr H. Reynolds, of Auckland, on "The Development of the Dairying Industry." The president of the society (Mr W. Patrick) occupied the chair, and was supported on the platform by a number of members of the committee. Mr Reynolds, who was cordially received, said that, before referring to the dairy industry generally, he desired to say a few words about the exhibits. He had been appointed, with his friend Mr Familton, to judge the dairy exhibits, and he thought the whole show did great credit to Dunedin, and was tho first of what iv the future would be an institution of great usefulness to the colony. The exhibition of cheesa was one of which they might all feel proud, and it would do great credit to the leading dairy show of the world — that held at Islington, London. The judges had had great difficulty iv coming to a decision respecting the best exhibit, the greatest number of points naturally going to the cheese which would fetch the highest price in the English market, and Chat was a cheese of light colour. He had expected a large number of entries of butter, but some of tho exhibits were highly satisfactory. The soft butter in jura was, however, not so good as it should be. There wan one exhibit of butter for export which was highly creditable to the exhibitor and to the show, aud if landed in London in the same condition as that in which it was exhibited would command the best price. He was satisfied that next year there would be a large number of exhibits of butter for export, and that a good many would be sent from tho North Island. The show might be greatly extended, too, in respect to exhibit* of roots, and he bel Wed that the large seed merchants of the old country would have no hesitation in each sending a cup or a cheque for a prize for roots grown from seeds bought from their representatives. Respecting ths dairying industry generally, he would strongly urge the necessity of absolutely clean milk being sent to the factory, otherwise it was impossible to make a good article. He impressed upon suppliers that they should look at the matter in tho light of a large co-operative concern for the whole colony, aud supply none but clean, good milk. A cooler should be supplied, and the milk should b3 put through it directly it came from the cow, in order to g«t it free from the animal odour. His experience also was that milk should be paid for by results — this applied more to milk for butter than for cheese — aud in this connection he said that the Bibcock tester had been found to bs absolutely reliable. In order to make good butted, it was absolutely necessary that iv each factory in which the article was made there should be a refrigerator, for unless the temperature of the cream was below 60deg ifc was impossible that good butter should be made. They had heard a good deal about " fishy " butter being sent to the London market, and this was entirely owing to the temperature of the cream being too high before churning, aud to the butter becoming heated after it was packed and was on its way to the port of shipment. It was a fact, he thought, that Victoria had gone ahead more than New Zealand in dairying, and that was partly accounted for, ho believed, by the bonus system which enabled the factory people in Victoria to put up refrigerators and better machinery, whereas in New Zealand it was necessary for them to study strict economy. He regarded insulated trucks 'a3 absolutely necessary for the conveyance of butter from tho factory to the porb, and he thought that trains should be preferred to steamers, because with tho former butter could be taken to the cold htores immediately after it was made. A great deal depended upon this, and he might mention that in New Plymouth — which, without any desire on his part to be egotistical, produced the best butter that had b en lauded in England — butter was sent from three factories direct to Wellington as soon as possible after it was made and was kept in freezing chambers until the departure of the steamer. Then after the butter reached the port of shipment it wag absolutely necessary that it should bo graded, and it was his belief that this matter f-hould be attended to by the Agricultural department. He had himself, in London and elsewhere in Eugland, canvassed for the sale of New Zealand butter, and different people had greatly objected to take it on account of its irregularity, and in a good many instances he had had u> ask people who were not sati c fied with it to return it, payment being made of their expenses. A great deal had been said about sending dairy produce to different parts of England for bale ; but his experience satisfied him that London was the distributing centre for New Zealand produce, for the merchants there were in touch with all parts of the kingdom. During last year some of hi=» time had been taken up with an idea for the formation of a committee, and this had been carried out, and the committee had done a lot of good. If a committee could be formed the members of which had confidence in each other, he believed that prices would be kept up better than they had been in the past, and he urged shippers at this end to get into touch with the committee which had been formed in London. Comparing New Zealand butter with the Victorian, he said there was a strong flavour in the former which was absent from the latter, and he attributed that to the grass here being stronger and to the existence of the animal odour in the milk and cream, but that could be overcome by the use of a refrigerator. To show what immense proportions the margarine trade had assumed in England, he mentioned that in one city on the south coast th°re was a margarine factory which received 20,000g-il of milk from Dorsetshire every morning. A good deal had been said about farmers' butter, but he believed that, although some individual farmers turned out good butter for local consumption, it was necessary for the export trade that, in order to secure uniformity, the butter should be factorymade. English butter was all behind the time, because thj farmers had gone on the individual system of making butter. He urged co-operatioa of the National Dairy Association with the North Island, so that the dairying community might possess a stronger hand in negotiating with the shipping companies and in making arrangements with the Government. The suggesti >n had been made that there was a chance of the English market being overdone by them with their dairy produce, but he was satisfied that it would be a long time before that would happen. There was £12,000,000 worth of butter imported into England every year, Denmark sending £5,000,000 worth besides £2,000,000 worth of baoon, The question was, he

thought, one of the survival of the fittest. The New Zealand dairymen were only handicapped by the freight — they could ship butter from New Zealand to London at double the expense of shipping from Denmark to London, but that was as nothing compared with the difference between the value of land in Denmark and New Zealand. .In New Zealand they could milk their cows for seven or eight months in the year on grass, and the cowa need not be confined at all, whereas in Denmark the cows had to be kept in shed? for six months in every year, and he thought there would be. a very large importation from the colonies during the winter time of Denmark. When he was in London the Danes had remarked that they saw the colonial butter had "come to stay." In concluding his remarks, Mr Reynolds urged the necessity of united action being taken by those interested in the dairying industry, as in that case they might depeud upon the Agricultural department carrying out the few things they wanted, whereas if they were divided it was unlikely that very m«iy of their wants would receive attention. On the motion of Mr T. Buy done, seconded by Mr J. Stevenson (Henley), a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Reynolds for his address. PRKSENTATION OK TROPHIES. The ceremony of presenting the shields and cup, which had been offered to the society for competition, was then proceeded with, the shields having been awarded in accordance with the decision of the judge contained in the following report addressed to the president of the society : — I have now the pleasure of intimating to you that after having visited and examined the farms competing for Sir John Lnwes's prize shields, I have awarded Messrs John Reid and Son, of Monte Christo, the prize for the best-managed farm between 400 and 1000 acres, and to Mr Walter Ulackie, Glasgow Farm, Taieri, the prize for a farm under 'loo acres. There were fourontriesforthe 1 '.rger-sized farms, but unfortunately I found one of them to exceed the limit of 1000, and it had to be excluded. There were six competitors for the smaller farms.

I may explain for your information that as farms cannot be brought into a ring and compared side by side like animals, I decided upon judging by points, and found it to work very satisfactorily. I made 14 separate headings for giving points to— viz. : (1) Cleanliness of farm generally ; (2) condition of English grass ; (3) grain ; (4) root crops ; (5) buildings ; (6) fences ; (7) gates ; (8) farm implements ; (9) stock, generally two kinds ; (10) manuring ; (11) utilising waste products ; (12) reclamation ; (13) drains and ditches ; (14) garden. And, of course, I took into consideration generally the original nature of the ground, what had been dono to it, and what is being made from the farm.

I had much pleasure in inspecting these competing farms, and have to say that the owners were exceedingly attentive and obliging to me, aud I am only sorry that there are not more prizes to give, as some who are left out are well worthy of notice. No doubt some will feel disappointed, and to such I would say, " Visit the farms which have got the awards " ; and I have ievery confidence that they will be satisfied. Should any competitor wish to see the schedule of points I fixed I have no objection, but I do not think there is any necessity for publishing them. I hope that the association will have a large number of competitors next year, and that these prizes will tend to make farmers give greater attention to keeping their land clean, to look better after their fences and gates, to liming and manuring their land, and generally to adopt a niore careful system of cultivation and the keeping of good stock, as otherwise they can hardly expect to make farming successful in these times of low prices.

The Ciuiiiman, in handing one of the shields to Mr John Reid, said : Ladies and gentlemen, this shield is presented by Sir John Bennet ■Jjawes for award by the Agricultural and Pastoral Society to the winner in the competition for the best-managed farm of from 400 to 1000 acres. The judging was entrusted to one of our most competent experts, Mr Brydone, who has decided in favour of Messrs John Reid and Sons. It is now my duty to hmd over the trophy in accordance with that award. Mr Reid, you have fairly won the shield, and I congratulate you on the distinction thereby earned and the possession of such an elegant piece of plate.

Mr John Reid, the senior proprietor of the farm to which the award had been given, said : Mr President, as the first winners of Sir John Bennet Lawes's challenge shield for|the best managed farm of 4-00 to 1000 acres within the large and important provincial districts of Obago and Southland, it becomes us to express our sense of the great obligation which we and the farming community of those districts aro under to Sir John for having so generously and considerately placed at the disposal of your society for annual competition those two very beautiful and valuable shields now before vs — the one for the best managed farm of 100 to 400 acres, the other for the best managed farm of 400 to 1000 acres. It is a pity that such valuable trophies should not have had more competitors, but I feel confident that in future competition will be both abundant and keen, for in imagination I can hear many now saying, or at least thinking, that " had they only known they would have licked the winners hands down and given them points to boot ! " Therefore do I predict keen competition in future — a result which would be as gratifying to Sir John as it would be satisfactory to your society ; whilst the healthy emulation thereby engendered can only prove beneficial to the competitors, whether successful or not, in securing the coveted honour. lam sure, sir, that Mr Brydone deserves the heartiest thanks of the competitors and your society for the instructive and exhaustive manner in which he has so carefully tabulated the result of his inspections. His table shows us at a glance the weak spots in our management, as well as our strong points. Let us, therefore, strive to improve our strong points, and sedulously strengthen our weak positions. As you, sir, are aware, it is to my youngest son, Mr W. P. Reid, who manages Monte Christo, that the credit of winning this elegant shield chiefly belongs ; but, as I have already indicated, if he means to retain it for another year, it will behove him to "put his best foot foremost." But valuable trophies like these are meant to " go the rounds," so to speak, and thus stimulate and encourage a healthy rivalry in good management. We are proud of the honour of being the firat winners of this shield, which I need hardly assure you we value highly, and

when the time comes, as no doubt it will come, that we must yield it up to a better man, we shall do so gracefully if regretfully. In conclusion, sir, allow ife to congratulate you on the success of the show, which I look upon as a great educator. As to what our farms, our dairy factories, our woollen mills, rope works, furniture factories, and numerous other local industries, can produce, we have abundant evidence in the magnificent display now before us, reflecting credit on the numerous exhibitors, and all testifying to the capabilities of our fair adopted land. And just one word in recognition of the services of your indefatigable secretary, Mr Duthie, to whoso indomitable perseverance, I believe, much of the success of tho show belongs. To those who, like myself, are often pestering him for information, he is always ready to listen and prompt to enlighten ; whilst to those who, on the other hand, aro •Jtoo backward to come forward" he finds time to look up, and by his "courteous persistency " contrives to coax into becoming, not only members of the society, but exhibitors at its shows. I thank you, sir, for the honour conferred upon us.

The Chairman then said : This other shield is won by Mr Walter Blackie. It is the prizo given by Sir John Bennet Lawes on the society's award for the beßt managed farm of 100 to 400 acres. To be adjudged the winner in such a contest is in itself an honour not to bo lightly esteemed, and when, as in this case, the award carries with it a trophy such as I now hand to you, Mr Blackie, I feel sure that you will recognise your position as doubly enviable. Mr W. Blackie, in acknowledging tho receipt of the trophy, stated that Mr Rei.i had just said what he should like to have 6aid. It was a pity that there had not been more competitors, though from a selfish point of view ho could not regrot that, as if there had been more competition he might not have been there that afternoon receiving the trophy. The Chairman : One more presentation has to be made. I have to hand to Mr Graham, of the Waikouaiti Factory, the trophy given by Messrs J. M 'Nairn and Sons for the best lOcwt of cream cheddar cheese. That duty gives me a considerable amount of pleasure. To our industries we must look as a means of pushing our colony ahead, and it is highly satisfactory to find that this particular industry of dairying is now receiving fair attention at the hands of men who are able to turn out such produce as we have now before us. I hope, sir, that your success will enconrage others to persevere in their efforts to make New Zealand the premier dairying country in the world. Mr F. L. Graham briefly replied, remarking that he had not expected to win the trophy. EXTRA EXHIBITS. The "Champion" churn, exhibited by tho inventor, Professor A. Tait, was at work on tho landing immediately at the top of the stone steps leading from the front door, and attracted a large amount of attention. The principle of the churn is that of a revolving disc— a principle which seems likely to cause a revolution in the manufacture of butter — and the chief features claimed for this particular invention are : That it churns butter in a shorter time than any other machine yet invented ; that the churn being open at the top releases all deleterious gases that arise in the cream, and that perfectly pure butter is thus ensured ; that it cannot over-churn because the butter granules, as they are formed, rise to the surface, and the disc revolves in the buttermilk, not injuring the granules ; that, the churn being open at the top, the operator can see at a glance when the cream is churned ; and that, as the churn is supplied with a jacket for hot or cold water, the buttermaker is given a complete control of the temperature. Several tests which were made with the churn resulted in butter being obtained in less than two minutes.

In the gallery there was to be seen a special exhibit which attracted a great deal of attention and curiosity, this being made by Mr Robert Lochhead, proprietor of the Wertheim sewing machine depot. The machine has been before the public for many years, and its merits are so fully recognised in the homes of the people — the Wertheim being constructed to do every class of needlework that any househeld may require — that it would be superfluous to dilate upon it. The machine will operate on the coarsest cloth without difficulty, and from such heavy fabrics to the flimsiest textures of muslin there is no material that the worker need be afraid to tackle with it. Another great point aboutthe Wertheim is that the varying materials can be worked without altering the stitch or the tension, and there is consequently little risk of getting the machine out of order. The object of the exhibit was, however, to demonstrate to the public that the Wertheim machine is capable of executing work of the most elaborate description in crewel silks, and this end was accomplished by the spectacle of two young ladies, deft machinists, actually performing this work under the eyes of the visitors. By one machinist the figure of a Japanese woman was being skilfully traced on the material before her, and a fan, held by the woman, was so admirably represented as to ba worthy of special mention, it being depicted with marvellous fidelity and exceedingly good effect in the silks, which lend themselves to a most realistic result. The other worker was engaged in making a group of flowers worked in silks on book muslin, the design being intended as an ornament for a large screen. The arrangement of sunflowers, clematis, smaller flowers, and leaves is admirably carried oat, and the work when finished should prove to demonstration the capabilities of the machine. A finished piece of work, produced by the Wertheim, represents Miss Terry in the costume adopted by her far wear in "The Twelfth Night," and is an admirable example of what it is possible for the machine to do, the shading being particularly noteworthy. This class of work will be performed by any of the new high-arm Wertheim's — the type of machine which has been on the market for the past nine years — without any extra attachment beyond a couple of rings on which to stretch the material. In a few weeks' time the proprietor expects to have a full set of samples, and it is then his intention to hold an art exhibition in various places throughout the South Island.