OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2230, 26 November 1896, Page 25

OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SOCIETY.

TWENTIETH ANNUAL SHOW.

Office-bearers : Governors— Moms John Roberts, 0.M.G., Thomas Brydone, Geo. (J. Russoll. William Patrick, Ilobert Charters ; president. Mr J, Smith, jun. ; vice-president, Mr James Shell ; hon. treasurer, Mr John Angus ; consulting chemist, Prof. James G. Black, M.A., D.So. : hon. veterinary surgeous-Mesw-s J. A Gilruth, M.R.0.V.5., and A. Hamilton, M.R.C.V.S. ; hon. auditor, Mr Thonun Oalleuder, F.1.A.N.Z. ; General Committee—Messrs J. Allan, David Bacon, \V\ Blackie, Robert Caninbell, Wm. Chaiters, James Duthie, Alex. Douglass, H.- V. Fulton, Robert G*wn, James Go*. G. H. Gilroy, Win. Jaffray, John Lethbridge, Al<?x., Math«ioi, A. M'Farlaoe, Fred. Oldhain, A. S. OrbcH, I*. PaWullo, George Roberts, C. 8. Keitf, A. W. Robin. M. Sinclair, J. A. Stewart, A. C. StroßH.'h, W. Cunioehani Smith, William Suuter, Aedr.yr Todd, W. 11. Taggarl, John Wright, Il^n. T. JtcifiU , Mr JKd. F.,Duthie.

The twentieth annual show commenced yeate:day at Tahuna Park, and will be continued to-day. Oa such »n oaoaeion &i a show, which must necessarily b* held in the open air, the weather it an important factor, aid the season so far did nob warrant; sanguine hop as that the elements would raodertti the s a verity with which th«y h*v« of late visited Otigo The morning did not look very promising, bit as the j forenoon wore on the presiding deities relented, and the sun shone out brightly', his rays baing tempered by a slight southerly breeza. At thq time of writing the weather continues propitioug, and the crowds, who are sure to attsn l" today — the " People's D«.y " — may safely indulge in the hope that atmospherical freaks will not cloud their enjoyment of the gay scene which will be presented to them. There is one thing on which visitors m»y rely, and that is that no matter how much r*ia f tils it will bo dry underfoot at Tahuna Park, for the porous nature of tho soil admits cf the recep'ion of any amount of moisture. Daring tho year the society has made tangible improvements in the Park. A considerable area has been enclosed on the northward, and along the lateral epacs so gained additional permanent sheds have been erected, and these are intended for the accommodation of the various, oksses of horses. New yards have also been built for the fat cattle, it baing found that the material in the old ones had decayed so much as to be unsafe for holding strong, fat auim»ls. This was accentuated last year by the escape of a bullock, which got away down into St. Kilda, but was luckily destroyed without doing any damage. New sheep peas have also been built. They are very substantial, and each pen is permanently numbered in paint. Some exhibitors s&y that it would have been belter if the hard imported timber of which the peas are built had been dressed a little so that the sharp edges and possible splinters might not injure the inmates, bat doubtless that will be attended to in due course. Other exhibitors complain that the pens, or some of them, are too high, and have ths effect of in a measure hiding the sheep as it were in a box aud thereby detracting from their appearance, and this might be remedied by a liberal top-dressing of soil, which would permit of a growth of grass. The additional space enclosed it a vast improvement to the park. The new area has not yet bean improved, but a plantation of trees has been put in, and these will soon giire the park that shelter which is sometimes so b&dly needed. The marram grass planted on the Sandhills does not appear to have made much progress since last year, aud the aand is encroaching at the south-east corner of the enclosure, but energetic steps have been taken to plant more grase and bring about the desideratum — gieeu knolls instead of bare sandhills who« constituents were the sport of every breeze. Even now there is a great improvement, and Tahuna Park presents a great contrast to what it did a few years ago. Yesterday was a practical day. The townspeople who could command a holiday and the country people who have arrived in large numbers seeking pleasure appeared to have determined to tempt Dame Fortune at the neighbouring racecourse at Forbury Park. Those who attended at Tahuna Park had some serious object in view. The officials, including tha judgee, of coarse had their work allotted to them, and appeared to be doing it zealously, while thoee who lined the judging rings -- keenly watched the judges and criticised, in most oases favourably, their decisions. Though the society cannot boast much numerical progress in the entries for its shows, ifc is generally conceded that che quality of the exhibits is becoming better year by year. Following is a comparative statement of entries for three years : —

The comparison makes it appear as if a serious falling off had taken place in the entries, bufc this is more apparent than real. In the first place, some falling off might have been expected this year because of the unfavourable weather which has prevailed daring the past month, and in which it was difficult to prepare exhibits so as to have them in the desired pink- of condition. In the next place, the exhibits now are all genuine. All the entries made are for competition, and the practice is not resorted to of making a large entry by including all the exhibits entered for exhibition only. It has also to be remembered that the society's now well-established winter show to a large extent robs the summer dairy show of its importance, and the entries in this elms formerly ran into hundreds. For instance, in 1893, out of a total of 1224- entries, 481 were implements and carriages, aud 56 New Zealand manufactures and produce, while the dairy exhibits numbered 73 and agricultural produce 125. These items are still on the catalogue, and are on exhibition at the show, but they are not numbered as entriei, which accounts for tha apparent falling off* On the contrary, the society furni«he» ample proofs at its vitality. Its new Agricultural Hall in Crawford street will probably be re*dy for the next winter show The improvements at the grounds are substantial and expensive, and on every hand evidence abounds that progress is the order of the day. As already re* marked, the additional space gained by the new enclosure slightly alters the arrangements in detail, but generally they are the same as on previous occasions. The new cattle yards are farther bank than the old ones, and the sheep pens have been moved a little, with the result that a great deal more promenading anaoa hoa hean eiven to the public.

With the esplanade seated and with the additional area gained, nothing remains that canba suggested to be added to provide for the comfort of the public. The esplanade in particular is an advantage which few show grounds posses*. Visitors to-day will find the macbiaery and implements to right and left of tbe main roadway from the antcanca. If th*y cave to enter the dairy produce ehed,,they may regale their sight on specimens of plain and funcy butter and hams and baoon, as well m a number of articles of New Zealand manufacture, from a huge coir cable from Donaghy and Oo.'b to Worcestershire sauco made by Mr Menzies, who has ingeniously adapted a number of Shakesperean quotations to the exigencies of advertising. A bedroom suite from Scaullar and Chisholm's suggest* Oriental magnificence, and at the other end of the building the harmless necessary Albert churn is kept in countenance by a case of artificial limbs. The space allotted to machinery and implements pwser» the appearance of a fair, so gay is it with tonts and bunting. Many of the exhibitors, with a prudence doubtless begotten of experience, have sheltered their goods under tests. Beyond, quite a street of tents is erected, and the most of these will to-day contain marvels for the delectation of the people and the extraction of the humble shilling. Facing the rings is another colony of tents tenanted by Mrs V&nnini and her myrmidons, who have three rcfruihment tents, and a number of others at the back for culinary operations. The central tout is- set apart for the refection of the committee and " their guests, and whea at a suitable hour yesterday an adjournment was nude for luncheon it was, found that the society had placed the. catering in experienced and skilful hands. Taere were not many , side showa yes'erdsyy. An enormous tent .bore' a startling placard intimating fchiifc on view within at the ridiculously small price of sixpence wero an Egyptian mummy from Thebes, octopi (whioh is, no doubt, the correct plural of octopus), a cowboy outfit, a petrified sea lion, a wild pig, & Mauritius monkey, and the giant of the Waitr.kore Forest. Such a collection does infinite credit to the iogeuuity of the collector. Our report below gives details of the exhibits judged yeet-erday. The general was that the show was fully up to t"e high standard of late years in point of quality of the exhibits. In many cases great difficulty was experienced in 'deciding as to relative merits, and one gentleman, who is a wellknown and capable judge of sheep, and was engaged yesterday in the task, was heard to declare that finer exhibits h*d never paiscd under his hands. The competition in cattle, especially in shorthorns and Ayrshires, was unusually keen, and while the polled Angus represented only a few owners the undeniable quality was there. We are advised that the unfortunate aooident which occurred to some sheep on Monday night or early on Tuesday morning is susceptible of explanation, which largely exonerates the society from blame. It seems that the secretary was at the park until 7.30 en Monday evening, and was not advised of the despatch of the sheop, and. knew nothing of their arrival. The owners or their rqprssfsntativeß unloaded the sheep and placed them in the park, and though there ia a telephone on the ground did not apprise the secretary, . If that had been done a watchman would have been insttuoted to remain ■on \ the ground all night. It may be mentioned tbat in accordance with the usual castotntwo watchmen were instructed to be on duty on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights, and if it had been shown to be necessary they could have been on duty on Monday night also. Nothing remains to be added but to state that the arrangements were in their ueual apple pie order, and that the secretary (Mr Duthie) seemed to have exercised so much forethought that nothing remained for him to do but to see the arrangements carried out.

Following are details of yesterday's, proceed* ings .—

Sheep , ... 105 Cattle 171 Horse 3 (draught) ... 83 „ (light) 148 Pigs ... . 24 Dairy produce, hams, &c. 50 Dogs 4 Ales — xanv. xoaUi 115 118 174 149 92 102 187 146 23 29 57 91 7 11 22 22 Totals 615 677 668