TUAPEKA SHOW

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 15

TUAPEKA SHOW

The Tuapeka Agricultural Society was favoured with perfect weather conditions for its twentieth annual show, held at Lawrence on Wednesday. The show has usually been held immediately after Christmas, and the experiment of holding it a fortnight earlier, which was not made without sonic misgivings, was justified by the result. The entries exceeded those of last year, even apart from large numbers received in the new home industries section. Last year's entries totalled 183, as against 187 received in the corresponding sections this year, while 83 entries in the home industries section brought yesterday's total to 270. Since last show considerable improvement have been made about the grounds, which now offer a large shed for offices, refreshment rooms, and home industries display, extensive pens for sheep, and scats completely surrounding the ring. The attendance was not so large as in previous years, but keen interest was shown in the judging. Collectors for the King's Red Cross appeal were busy during the day, and met with, a generous reception. Jumping competitors were carried through later in the afternoon, when the judging had been completed. The secretary (Mr .1. C. Browne) and the stewards are to be complimented on the businesslike and efficient manner iii which the arrangements were carried through. CATTLE. There was a very good display of cattle, the entries numbering nearly double those of last year. Mr J. Young won a first prize and the shorthorn championship with a three-year-old heifer. Mr A. Frasor was first with a one-year-old shorthorn heifer. There were but few entries of Ayrshire*, but these were fairly true to type, and Mr A. M'Millan's first prize and champion cow was a very good specimen. Mr M'Millan was first in the one-year-old heifers, with Mr R. Ferguson second. The positions were reversed in the two-year-old class. In some of the crossbred classes competition was good, and there were a number of very nice cottar's cattle. Mr T. H. Clark's dairy cow was an outstanding exhibit, and won two first prizes. Mr R. Loudon was first with two dairy cows, and also with his three-year-old heifer, and secured two second awards. The first award for two-year-old heifers went to Mr D. M'Laren, who also secured a third in the cottar's or tradesman's class. Messrs Smith Bros, got a first and a second, and Mr M. Girvan was first in tiie one-year-old heifers. Mr A. Aitkem (Gore) was judge of the cattle. HORSES. The draught horse classes, judged by Mr A. Oarruthers (Ngajmna) were comparatively well patronised, though in most of the classes competition could not bo said to be keen. Mr A. Rendall secured the entire championship with a good horse, but the other competitors were of no special merit, and were of old-fashioned type. The award for an entire colt of one-year went to Messrs R. and W. Bulfin. Messrs Trcacy Bios., A. M'Millan. and Smith Bros, were placed first, second, and third in the class for geldings of any age with three good beasts, the winner being of specially fine quality. The aged mares of any age made the best class in tho section. all three awards going to Mr A. M'Millan. The winner, which also won in tho three-year-old filly class, proved to be tho champion. The mares or geldings up to 15cwt in harness made a very creditable showing,

the .awards being Trcacy Bros. 1, \V. M'Ken/.io 2, Smith Bros. 3.. The prize for most, points among draught horses went to Mr A. M'Millan. who _ scored five firsts, seven seconds, and a third. Messrs Trcacy Bros, ■were also very successful, and won four firsts, throe seconds, and two thirds. A pood proportion of the remaining first awards wont to Messrs It. and W. Bulfin, wlio carried off three rod tickets. Most of the horses were shown in working condition rather than in correct show condition. Taking them as a whole, they were a creditable lot, but in view of the extent of the

district larger entries might well bo expected. The light horses mado a dissappointing section, and mustered only about a dozen altogether. Mr J. F. Muir's three year old weight-carrying hack was an exceptionally good animal, the only tiling against him being his colour. Mr Muir carried off Jour first and two second prizes, another notably successful competitor being Mrs Mundell, who had three fusts and two seconds. Several nice ponies were shown, and Mr R. Hawker secured a clear win in the class for ponies not more than 14 hands high. There wc.ro no thoroughbreds in the show. Light horses were judgd by Mr J. Sheohy, of Miller's Flat, SHEEP. Sheep continue to bo an important feature of the show, though apart from Romneys competition was almost confined to crossbred classes. Mr T. Davidson, who was the only exhibitor, secured a first and second, and the merino ewe championship. Messrs R. and W. Bulfin owned the champion Border Leicester ram, and also the second prize winner in the class for rams, four tooth oi- over. Mr M'Millan ewept the board with first, second, and third awards for ram hoggets, ewes with lamb, and ewe hoggets, and also annexed the female championship. Honours in the Romney March section were shared by Messrs A. M'Millan and A. Murdoch, who each got a championship and two firsts, Mr M'Millan adding also two seconds and a third. The best class among tho Crossbreds were the long-woolled hoggets, which were exceptionally good, both in sizo and quality. The fat classes were also good, and particularly creditable was Messrs Fahcy Bros.' winning pen of fat lambs. Awards in Crossbreds were fairly well distributed, three first tickets going to Messrs Fa hey Bros., and two each to Messrs A. C. Leary and M. Girvan. DOGS. Mr J. Begg (Pukeawa), who judged the sheep, also judged the half-dozen dogs that wcro forward, and awarded two red tickets to Mr A. Robertson, and one to Mr D. M'Larcn. HOME INDUSTRIES. The home industries' exhibit was a new feature of tho show, and it was heartily supported by the skilful housewives of the district. The judge, Mrs A. Carruthers (Ngapu.na), spoke of it as a very creditable exhibition, and said that some of the butter was equal to anything she had ever judged. In the baking classes the fruit and sponge cakes stood out as exceptionally good, and the entries of hen eggs forward were also excellent. Mrs S. Young, who secured the prize for most points in (ho section, was first in both tho fresh butter and powdered butter classes, wiUi Miss Read second, and Mrs T. Fahcy and Miss Munro following in each case. The girdle and oven scone classes were also won by Mrs Young, Miss Munro getting second and third in girdle scones. Mrs W. Simpson's home-made loaf was placed first, and Mrs W. H. Leary won in the brown bread class. In the pound cake class, Mrs J. C. Brown was first; in seed cake Miss Munro; and in sponge cake Mrs W. R. Smyth, with Miss Munro 2 and 3. and Mrs J. C. Brown highly commended. Mr S. Young secured a first and second for bacon, and first for a home cured ham. The prize for a dozen hen eggs went to Mrs R. Brydie. Mrs S. Young, with four firsts, gained most points in the section.