PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2207, 18 June 1896, Page 24

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

The winter show of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society was again very largely attended on Friday. Among the visitors during the afternoon were the childreu of the Industrial School, who were present "by the invitation of the president and committee of tha society. The special pr'zas won at tha show were presented to tbe successful competitors at the Chamber ot Commerce yesterday afternoon. Mr James Smith, juu., vice-president, occupied the chair in the absence of the president-, and there was a large attendance, the hall being crowded.

The Chairman, before presenting tho prizes, said he very much regretted that Mr Roberts, the president, could not be with them that afternoon. However, all present would be glad to hear that Mr Roberta's health was improving rapidly. He wished to apologue to a lob of country people for the crushing they had been

subjected to at the Garrison Ball daring the ■how. The committee made most of the room at their disposal, but they were simply blocked for want of room. This would be remedied next year, when the new hall was erected. He desired to thank the various gentlemen who had judged the exhibits at the show for the careful attention to all matters placed before them. He thought special thanks were due to Mr MaoEwaa for the great trouble he had taken in judging the cheese and butter. He had, however, "to do a growl " at the farmers for not entering more fax ma for competition. There were only four entered, and he thought it was a crying shame when the oom- ' petition was open to such a large district', extending as it did from Waitaki to (the Bluff.— (Hear, hear.) One of the judges, accustomed to travelling through the country, had told him that he had seen a number of farms that could have competed. He (Mr Smith) did not know why they had not done so. The dairy exhibits hid kept up well, and he thought there was as fine a show of cheese and bufcter^aa one could wUh to see anywhere. Mr BlaoEwan had said that some of the exhibits were as good as was wanted for the London market— in fact, as near perfection as possible. He had noticed a letter in one of the papers complaining about the result of the farm competition, and he would say in reply that they could not give more than one prize, and competitors should be prepared to accept the decision of the judges. He wonld "now prooeed to present the prizes. — (Applause.) The Chairman then presented the following prizes : —

Sir John Bennet Lawes's shield, for the bestmanaged farm from 400 to 1500 acres — The executors of the late W. Scoular, Almondale, Southland. A gold medal, presented by the society, was given to Mr M'Gillivray as manager of the farm.

Second prize, a silver medal and an order for six ton 6of lime, presented by the Miiburn Company—Messrs J. Iteid and Sons, for .their M jnt» Chnsto farm.

Sir John Bennet Lawes's shield, for the bestmanaged farm from 100 to 400 actf s -Mr Q. H. Gilroy, Inveresk farm. la place of the usual gold medal, which Mr Gilroy had previously won, a silver jug was presented to Mrs Gilroy. Second prize, silver medal and six tons of lime, presented by the Milburn Company— Air W. BUckie, Glasgow farm. Messrß John M' Nairn and Co.'s challenge cud, value £25, for best lOcwt of full-cream New Zealand cheddar-ahaped coloured cheese, fit for export (to be won three times before becoming the property of tbe exhibitor) -JEdendale Dairy Company. This company has already won the cup once before. The same company also obtained the silver medal

Messrs Nimmo and Blair's challenge cap, valued 50gs, for the best scwt of factory-made butter, suitable for export (tv be won three times before becoming the absolute property of the exhibitor), and *he gold and silver medals for first and second prizes. — Taieri and Peninsula Milk Company.

After the presentation Mr John Reid, senior partner in the Monte Christo property, congratulated Mr M'Gillivray on having twice in succession secured the coveted trophy, and assured him that if the fates— or rather his superior management — should bring it his way for the third and last time, he (Mr Reid) would not; wish it otherwise, unless of course his own firm can woo it back again to their tide the fence.

Mr Eskdaieb, on behalf of ths trustees of th« late W. Scoular, returned thanks for Sir John Bennet Lawes's cup. In doing so, he referred to the great liberality of the donor, and also congratulated the society upon the splendid exhibition which was beiDg held in the Garrison Hall. He thought it was second to none that had been held in tbe oolony up to the present; time.. The speaker proceeded to give his reminiscences of Dunedin 25 year* ago, contrastirg the present state of affairs with that which prevailed at that time, but his remarks were mostly inaudible to the majority of those present. In concluding, he expressed a hope that the OUgo Agricultural and Pastoral Society would continue to prosper and to be the premier society of Otago.— (Appkuie.)

Mr John Reid, af tar receiving his prize, said : Sir, in thanking you for this handsome medal, and through you the Milbarn Lime and Cement Company for their very seasonable and acceptable prize of a truck of lime, I cannot help regretting the paucity of entries for the farm competition, evidencing a disappointing lack of emulation amongst farmers for the honour of securing these valuable prizes which is as discouraging to the society as it must be to the generous donora of the prizes. Sir, I j iv in the general regret at the absence of the president through illnesi, and sincerely hope on his return from his contemplated trip to Britain that he will be able to resume his active duties), and have many, many years of a healbhy, happy, useful, and prosperous life befora him. Mr Gilboy briefly returned thanks on behalf of bimielf and Mm Gilroy, and in domg so congratulated the society on the good work they were carryiog on, and, expressed a hops that the society would continue to prosper. He thought that more farmers should support the society, which hs was afraid was at present more supported by business people. Mr Bktdone, after receiving the cap for the Edsndale D*iry Factory, said it afforded* him very great pleasure indeed to see the Bdendale Factory had again oome to the front. When they gaiaed the cup lasfc year ha never expected to have it for two years in succession. He then hoped that those factories that were & bit behind in the number of points would go past the Edendale Factory this year ; bat it seemed that this factory was able to keep to the front. He believed that the points were not quits up to the same average as they were last year for cheese. This was rather disappointing. It might, however, be explained by the difference in the weather and the cold season they had experienced. In looking over the points he noticed that the Bdendale Factory had scored 98 points, whilst the others ranged down to 83 pointi. He thought that there should not be sach a marked difference. If the cherssmakers paid some attention to the advice given by Mr MacEwan every factory would be able to score 96 points. Next year he hoped the competition would be closer whether the Edendale Factory won it or not. He then went on to refer to the small number of entries for the farm competition, and with the chairman he regretted th*t the farmers did not better support the society. In concluding he alluded to . the new hall, and said there were a few debentures left which had been specially kept for tho farmers. Mr Walteh Blackie and Mr Riddle (of the T*ieri and Peninsula Milk Supply Oooopasy) also returned thanks for the prizes presented to thorn. The Chueman subsequently intimated th\t ord€r-» f.ir the under-mentioned prizes could be obtaiued from the secretary :—: — TURNIP COMPETITIONS. Class I : Messrs Nimmo and Blair's prize of two tons of bone manure for the best 10 aore3 of Aberdeen or yellow-fleshed turnips— W. S. Mo3ley flnchtiutha) 1. W. Grey (Milburn) 2. Class II : Milburn Company's prize of six tons of agricultural lime for the beat 10 acres or over of Aberdeen or yellow-fleshed twnips grown on lanrf tested with lime au\y—W. Grey (Milburn) 1, W. Black 2. Class III : Mes3r3 D. Reid and Co.'s prize of one ton of Islington fertiliser for the best fira I acres or under 10 acres of Aberdeen or yellow- '

fleshed turnips.— W. Gray (Milburn).' Second -prixe (one ton of Lady HOiott guano, given by Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co.)— W. Blftckie, Clas* IV : Mesßrs D. Reid and Oo.'s pri» of ona ton of Islington fertiliser for tbe best five aorsi of over of Swede turnips— D. Sutherland (LochendJ 1, J. Pallas (Kaitangata) 2. Clans V ; Messrs Tothill, Watson's priie of £3 5s for beat 10 acres of turnips grown from Button's seeds— D. Sutherland. Glass VI i Messrs Wright, Stephenson, prlza of 10c wt of Gear Company's manure for two to flva acres of mangels-R. Chatters (Ury Park). < ." Class VII : New Zealand Loan and Meroantflj Company's pnae of three tons of Maiden Island guano for the best 15 acres of turnips— G. a. Gilroy (Stirling). Second prize two tons guano given "by same company — w. Patrick.

On the motion of Mr J. Singlaie Thomson, a vote of thanks having been accorded to tha chairman, the proceedings concluded. One of the most interesting exhibits at tbe show was that entered by Mr J. C. BUokmore, the Government; pomologist. It oomis'.ed of various kinds of fruit dried by a process of evaporation ; and also a collection of 170 different varieties of apples, all of whioh were labelled with their correct names. Mr Black* more has been in attendance every day during tbe show, and has been very ready and willing to explain the process of frait evaporation to those taking an interest in the' matter. The society, it should be stated, have also bf en greatly indebted to other Government offi ials for the assistance rendered by them during tha show. Messrs J. D. Ritchie (secretary of the Agricultural department), J. B. MaoEwan, and J. T. Lang (dairy experts) were in attendance every day, and did everything they coald to assist the committee in carrying .out the arrangements in connection with the show. Mr S. S. Cameron, M.R.C.V.S., it may also ba mentioned, has helped by hit service*, voluntarily rendered, to mska the show a iucco^b.

The interior and exterior of the building has bsen lighted at night during the three show nights by electricity, the New Zealand 13nV gineering and Electrical Company providing th« lights and ako the motive power to generate the electricity.

A large crowd of farmer* and others inter* ested have witnessed tbe various trial* of the "Albert" ohurn, and havo expressed thdr entire satisfaction nithifc. At a trial yesterday butter was turued ont in the shorb time of four minutes and a-half, some watches making it 4-mio. lOseo. One advantage possessed by this ohurn over the ordinary box or barrel kind is fchab a con&lant rapply of fresh air is admitted to the cream during the process of churning, which results in perfect ceration. At the same Uion the foul g&ses are allowed to escape. This is particularly advantageous in what is known as lurnipy cream. A farther important advantage is' that owing to the perfect commotion every particle of oream ii equally churned at the 1 same time, resulting in the fullest possible percentage of butter. Messrß Edward Thomas and Co., the agents, report having booked a large number of orders.

The guessing competition for the prize offered by Messrs Nimmo and Blair to the ptr*on whoie guess as to the number of needs in a pumpkin exhibited provtd to be nearest to the actual number has excited considerable interest. Messr* J. F«rd (Owaka), A. 'Eh-miug (Gore), and James .M'Kewe 1 (Dunedin) guessed ths actual number— viz., 435, and it; waa decided to divide first ' and second piizcs between tbera. Messrs B. Or&ig (Riooarton) guessed 436, Mrs Keenan 433, Mr A. Aburn 439, and J. H. Wilgon 427.

In connection with the exhibit! of Mr R. 0, Lindsay (of Invereargill) of preserved milk, *■ there was only one exhibitor, Mr Lindsay had the milk tested by several experts yesterday morning, who all pronounced it of excellent qu/vlity, &ud equal if not better than the in> ported. '•