OTAGO A & P. SOCIETY'S SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 34

OTAGO A & P. SOCIETY'S SHOW.

President, Mr John Roberts, C.M.G. ; vicepresident, Mr James Smith, jun. ; hon. treasurer, Mr John Angus ; consulting chemist and botanical specialist, Tiofessor James G. Black, M.A, D.Sc, Otaga University ; horr. veterinary sur-geons-Messrs J. A. Gilruth, M.R.O.V.S. A. Hamilton.M K.C.V.S..S. 6. Cam-iron, M.R.O.V.S.; hon auditor, Mr Thomas Cullender, M.1.A.N.Z. ; general committee — Messrs Joseph Allan, David Bacon, Thomas Brydone, Robert Campbell, Robert Charters, James Duthie, K. B. Fe-Ruson, Robert Gawu, Jame3 Gow, William Jaffray, A. M'Farlane, William Patrick, PatiickPattullo, C.^. Reid, Jame3 Shiel, Mark Sinclair, J. A Stewart, W. D. Stewart, A. C. Strouach, W. 11-^Taggwt, Andrew Todd, George Todd, John Wright, Hon. T. Fergus ; secretary, Mr E. F. Duthie. The nineteenth annual Summer Bhow of the above society commenced yesterday at Tahuna Park under the most auspicious chcumstances. The weather was all that could be desired by the most exacting critic. A pleasa-it breeze from the northward tempered tha rays of sunjhine that would otherwise have been too ardent, and from its direction was entirely bee from tho objectionable burden of sand that has on previous occasions brought discomfort >, to visitors and onlookers, as well as positive injury to exhibitors of delicate machinery. It may seem at first sight ludicrous that machinery Buch as is usually exhibited at agricultural shows should be susceptible to injury from this cause, which is cne they are especially contrived as a rule to meet ; but it has to bs ' remembered that, other machines than those which are purely " agricultural are frequently exhibited at shows. If the farmer has bsen - catered for with reapers and binders, and so on, his " better half " is entitled to consideration • also, and consequently such household "implements" as eewing machines, knitting machine?, &o. have before now garnished the catalogue, with the result mentiou.-d. But there is satisfactory assurance that before long Tahuna Park will enjoy immunity from injury From any wind that, may blow. The surface of the park ifoelf is now covered with a splendid sward, and on the Sandhills adjoining the marram grass is struggling bravaly against its shifting foe, and with every prospsct of success. Itf serried lines of plantation are maintaining their vitality, and the result promises to ba that the unsightly and broken ridge of Sandhills will soon bo converted into a succession of verdant slopes, pleating alike to the tefthetic *nd practical sense. Here, then, were all the extrinsic features that contribute to success ; when we come to the intrinsic merits, the success is no less gratifying. It is true that the entries are not numerically much larger than last year's, the comparison being as follows :—: —

Bat when the foregoing comparison fs analysed ' it tells a more favourable story. It entirely " excludes an immense number of implements, ' machines, and specimens of numerous kinds of manufactures. It makes no reference to the pleasing exhibits of natural products that are merely entered for, exhibition. Farther, it has to be remembered that the society has now instituted a moit imposing annnal winter show of dairy produce, roots, seeds, &c, and this 'naturally dwarfs the entry in these particulars in the summer show. And, lastly, the table of entries affords no information about the clas3 of the exhibits or the nature of competition. Information on these points can only be obtained by inspection, .and to-day, when the "people" will, no doubt, repair to Tahuoa Fatk en masse, weather indications at the time of writing being most favourable, the judgment of the experts will, co doubt, b9 keenly criticised and subjected to popular disseotioD. It is in the respect jusb mentioned that the show will be a noteworthy one. When such breeders of Ayrshire s as Messrs M'Farlane, K. B. Ferguson, Jsmes Gemmell, and Ireland Bros, ceally strip for battle the contest mast necessarily be keen, and the riveted attention of the onlookers who lined the ring yesterday bespoke the keenness of the fray. The result was ring after ring of Ayrshires that could not be equalled in New Zsaland. The same m»y be said of the polled Angus, which elicited the admiration of all, and challenged comparison even by those who have visited shows at other centres. Again, for to-day's menu, .such breeders of draught horses as Messrs Gawn, Charters, BUkie, Gow, Patrick, Dougla3, Mrs C. Miller, besides others who could be named, have provided items, so , that a memorable contest will be fought. Tahuna Park h necessarily the tribunal by which all competitors in these parts abide, and • we do not doubb that by this time to-morrow many a local judgment will be affirmed or set j -aside, and certainty will rule where doubt existed. As to light horses, the same remarks ' apply with added force. Not only are wellknown fanciers among the exhibitors — and • many of these emulative from trade or business motives, as well as from those which simply relate to the show,— hut the actual number of entries is largely increased, and the quality is necessarily thereby in this case enhanced. The sheep, which were among the exhibits judged yesterday, are of a uniformly high type of quality. It is to be regretted that the entries are some* ■what fewer, and, as we have previously said, it may be that owners would enter more readily if they could land their sheep directly on to the ground. But it has also to be remembered, in explanation, that the breeding of sheep is Just now at one of its stages of transition. It is difficult to say what breed will be fashionable a few years hence, so difficult is the Home, "or principal market, of gauging. And, of courte, we must add to these supposititious reasons the positive one that the weather recently has been so atrocious that breeders might well be paidoned for being reluctant to take their animals from home. As already fainted, the show of dairy produce has been robbed of much of its importance by the institution of the winter show. Yet it could not be said that yesterday's display disgraced the metropolitan show. The butter, and hams, and bacon were of uniformly excellent quality, as must ba expected from the proved skill of the exhibitors whose names adorn the prize-litt. Of course, more critical reference is made to the various classes under their several heading* below ; this outline merely serves to introduce them, as the chorus originally did to Shnkespeare's play?. W>", therefore, resume cur general description. The general plan if the show ground has ben adhered to. On entering, the visitor would find, jhowever, amid an almost bewildering iuzeof machinery, some of it inanimate, but much of it in motion. Continuing on his way ho will cross the oral trotting track, and within this are tho >ariou3 enclosures set apart for judging. The fudging ring has been considerably enlarged, £nd now contains three compartments, 'jrhicb can all ba utilised at once. This

is surrounded by a neat picket fence, so that even the moat timid need not fear tha playfulness of the animals within. Athwart this ara the cheep pens, whose very woolly denizens are now allotted their places in the prize list, and this is indicated by cards so conspicuously displayed fchat even the veriest tyro that runs may read.' In the north-eastern corner are located the fat cattle, and visitors might yesterday see what mighty beeves can be raised on New Zealand pastures. The New Zealand and Australian Land Company sent contributions to this olass from Edendale, Clydevale, .and Totara, and Mr Patrick wa^ the only other exhibitor. Yet the pauci y oF exhibitors did not mean inferiority of exhibits by any means. Runniug along almost the, whole length of the western side of the enclosure are the stalk where the live stock are housed during their stay on the ground. At the northern end of these sheds the pigs find accommodation. We are aware that what constitutes porcine beauty is rob generally regarded as consistent with the lines laid down by admirers of what is graceful. But judged by their peculiar standard the pigs are beautiful — if it be beautiful to be unable to do more tbaa waddle from superabundance of adipo;e tissue, or to be barely able to sac. A novelty here was shown by Mr Rowe in the shape of a Tamworth pig. It is of a red colour, aud is of a very level type, though ifot of large kind. It almost goes without saying that the attendance yesterday was not large. It never is on tha first day, for the reason that many prefer to visit the races and reserve their attendance for the "People's Day," when the show is the sole attraction. It was at first anticipated that his Excellency the Governor would be present at the show, but the detention of the Takapuna at Wellington has now made it impossible. Circumstances have also conspired to prevent fche promised attendance of the Premier, bui td-day it is expeoted that the Government will be represented by the Hon. J. G. Ward. Should the weather keep favourable there ought to be a "record " attendance to-day. Those who were present yesterday were intent on business of ono kind or another. There was scarcely an uninterested person on the ground, consequently no attempt at all was made to cater for mere amusement. Under the new order of things the bar no longer stands invitingly open, and this though it djes not augment the general hilarity no doubt tends to the preservation of decorum. The wants of the public are being capably attended to by Mr I Lean, and some others have made active preparations for the nutriment and delectation of the public to-day. Among these last is the proprietor of a sbe»m "merry-go-round," which | is not only propelled by steam, but carried about from place to place by the same agency, j The public then may view an inspiriting and exhilarating scene to-day, whether they throng the level expanse or station themselves on the esplanade: It only remains to bo said that the management of the show is aa near perfection as it is possible to attain. In the midst of sce-ning confusion there is perfect order — the result of careful forethought and planning. Yesterday's proceedings were conducted without a hitch, and the praise, therefore, must be assigned to the secretary, Mr E. F Duthie, who has proved himself the right man in the right place. Particulars of the exhibits judged yesterday are appended : —

iheep M «, }*ttle lorees, draughts „ light ... 'igs # >airy produce ... )oga ... ... Ues ... ... XBVD. ... 115 ... 174 «. 92 .„ 187 ... 23 ... 57 ... 7 ... 22 118 149 102 146 29 91 11 22 Total ' ... »•« - 677 668