RIVERTON SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 26

RIVERTON SHOW.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Invkrcahgill, December 2.

The Western District Agricultural and Pastoral Association held their sixteenth annual cattle show at Thornbury to-day, when despite a very strong north wind blowing there was a large attendance. The arrangements were good, and Mr F. C. Mills, the secretary, is to be complimented on the success of the show. The draughts, though weak in numbers, were a very superior lot. Mr R. Cupple'a Craigievar, by Old Times — Maggie, was the champion draught stallion and first in his class, with Young Reformer second. Ml- W. Blakie's horses were placed first in all the other classes except in the two-year-old and yearling fillies, which were won by Messrs J. B. Lindsay and James Drain respectively. In the gelding classes Messrs- W. Blakie and T. Stuoud each took two firsts, the other falling <o Mr W. P. Smith. The thoroughbreds were goad, Silvermark beating Lorraine and another in the entire class. Mr J. M'Eay won the yearling colt and mare classes, the other class b&ing taken by Mr J. M'lntyre. The Dunedin Stud Company's Wioklow won the prize for carriage stallions. Better quality in the hackueys and harness classes has seldom been seen. Mr T. Ryder winning the heavy-weight class, and Mr A. Lyon the light-weight class, both horses being very good ones. The lady's hack class was also won by Mr T. Ryder, and Miss M'Dougall was adjudged the beat lady rider. The harness classes, 15 hands or over and under 15 hands (two very good claeses), were won by Mr T. Stroud and Dr Young respectively. The pair buggy horses class was won by Mr T. Stroud, and the tandem class by Dr Young. Mr Swales'a Sweetbriar won the hunting competition. The cattle clashes were not very well filled, but some goad quality animals were shown. Messrs W. Foley, R. Grieve, J. Playfair, and W. Johnston wete mosb successful in shorthorns. In Ayrshire?) Mr R. Meek took nearly all the prizes, while in polled Angud Messrs R. and A. Officer scooped the pool. Their bull Monarch was awarded the prize for the champion bull on the ground. Only one Hereford was shows, and in crosabreds Messrs R. Meek, W. Foley, S. R. Merritt, and Allen Jones too first prizes. In fat cattle Mr S. R. Merritt took all the prizes. The sheep were well up to former years regarding quality, and in Lincolns Mr J. B. Sutton'o flock took every prize. Messrs R. and A. Officer were the principal prize-winners in Leictstera, with Mr D. Reidie next. In Romney Marsh Messrs W. Haywood, R. Boyd, and W. Fraser took the prizes. Messrs J. Reid and Son's had no opposition in Downs, and iv croEsbreds Messrs A. R. Hare and S. R. Merritt equally divided the prizes. In Lincoln and Leicester crossbred classes Mr P. Sheridan took most prizes, with Mr S. It. Merritt next. The prize-lakers in fat sheep were Messrs J. Reid and Sons, R. and A. Officer, S. R. Merritt, and W. Saundars. Very few piga were shown, Mesars J. W*. Hamilton and J. Reid and Sons taking first prizes. The dairy produce was good, Mrs A. Lindsay taking all the prizes but one, when she was beaten by Misa Younger. Messrs Whittingham Bros, and Instone had no oppesition in the bicon and ham classes. The judging throughout the show was good. The draughts were judged by Mr James Duthie, of Dunedin, thoroughbreds by Mr James Gow, of Mosgiel, cattle and pigs by Messrs J. Grant and W. Wills, and sheep by Messrs A. M'Neill and R. Grieve.

A young nian, who gerved his time as apprentice to a leading firm of painters in this oity, has written a letter to his old shopmates, from Johannesburg, where he has gone to seek his fortunes. He says that painters there receive £4 to £5 per week ; but he adds that he has to pay 35s a week fci- his board, exchi•ive of washing, and though he could get board for much less, it is " awful." Bricklayers are paid 22s 6d a day, carpenters 20s, and plasterers 22s 6d. His opinion is that too many artisans fire going to Johannesburg, as they are arriving there in hundreds. Speaking for himself, he would rather^e in- Duuedin reoeivingJ3*-a day than reoeiving 15s in iJonanneWurg \ aod,' though things are very busy in the building, line, ho says he would hob advise anyone to go there.