STRATH-TAIERI SHOW

Otago Witness, Issue 3291, 11 April 1917, Page 14

STRATH-TAIERI SHOW

The sixteenth show of the- Strath Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society took placo at Middlemarch on Monday, and attracted a largo attendance of the public, a great many travelling from Dunedin to the fixture. The weather was typical of a real summer day, and this added considerably to the enjoyment of tho outing. The entries received for tho various sections in the show wcro considerably in excess of those received for last j'cars fixture, a feature being tho light horse section. Cattle came forward in good numbers, and in one class there wore 36 animals penned, this being in tho class for two-year-old heifers most suitable for dairy purposes. A noticeable absence from tho show_ was tho Gladbrook polled Angus stock, which have figured largely at previous shows, but, notwithstanding this, tho entries in cattle were a record for the society, all tho available accommodation for this class of stock bsing occupied. Tho judges of the various classes of cattle were most eiilogistio of the quality exhibited. The fats were very _ fine, whilo too much praise cannot be given to the exhibitors of cattle in the other classes for tho manner in which their stock was shown. The sheep shown wero of exceptionally good quality, and the judgo (Mr Miller) said that, generally, they were well finished, and the iambs would take a great deal of beating in any show. In draught stock tho Poplar Grove stud, Mr Jas. Tisdall, and Mr A. Carruthcrs were the principal exhibitors, and, as usual, the competition was keen owing to tho high standard of the animals shown. The domestic produce section was again largely patronised, and some good exhibits of bread and other articles wero to be seen. The entries of field roots and farm produce were in excess of those at former shows, and tho quality of the exhibits bore testimony to the fertility of tho soil in the district. Chief interest was centred in tho sporting events, but one thing most noticeable was that the competitors were for the most part men who had passed tho military ago by some yeans, and tho impression gained from conversation with theso veterans was that, whilo their sons were away fighting for King and country, they were trying to keep the sport alive here. It was really fine to see somo of them entering into tho various competitions with all tho enthusiasm of youth, whilo those dear to them are with equal enthusiasm away assisting to fight the battle of freedom.

Taking the show right through it was a great success, and the officials of the society have -reason to bo proud in consequence. The catering was dono by tho Ladies' Red Cross Society. They did' it well, and their efforts received most favourable comment on all sides.

Judging commenced with the cattle section. In shorthorns Mr James Tisdall secured first for bull three years or oyer, with Mr C. Patterson second. For yearling bull Mr Duncan M'Rae was first, with Mr F. James second. For cow three years _ or over Mr W. Bennett was awarded first prize, and Mr Tisdall second; while for heifer two years old Mr Patterson was first and Mr Tisdall second. There were a good number of Ayrshires penned. Mr W. D. Mason was the only exhibitor in the class for bull two years and secured first honours, and among seven entries . in the class for cow three years and over the same owner was first, with Messrs G. Robertson second and J. Orlowski third. There were six entries in the two-year-old heifer class, and Rene Robertson secured first prize, with Mr Mason second and third. For yearling heifer, for which there were five entries, Rene Robertson was first, Mr Mason second, and Mr Tisdall third. In Holsteins, Mr B. J. Doherty was first in the two-year-old bull class, and Mi- William Robertson in tho yearling class.* Mrs E. E. Elliott was. awarded first and second honours for cow three years or over, with Mr Doherty third, while in the two-year-old heifer class the last-named exhibitor was first, with Mr John Tisdall second. For yearling heifer Messrs J. and J. Beattie were first, with Mr W. Guy second and third. In the dairy cattle Mr W. Robertson was first for cow most suitable for dairying purposes and three cows with similar qualifications, and the same exhibitor was second for cottar's cow, the first prize going to Dr Menton. For two dairying heifers Mr P. M'Fadyen was first, and' for two heifer calves Mr F. James. Mr w. Bennett was awarded first honours for fat bullocks and heifers, and Mr F. James for two fat calves. In tho Clydesdale horse classes Mr James Tisdall was first for entire three years or over, brood mare, two and three-year-old fillies, dry mare, mare and two of her progeny, mare and two of her progeny over three years, gelding, and three-horse team, while Mr A. Carruthers was first for foal, and tho Poplar Grove stud secured firsts for colt or gelding, yearling filly, Siding two years, and pair of geldings. The thoroughbreds were confined to the entries of. Mr E. J. Doherty, whose pair of fillies were awarded first and second prizes. Tho hackney and carriage horses were numerous, and some good rings were judged. Mr E. J. Doherty was first for 13st and list hacks, second for weightcarrying hack, second for lady * hack, and first for dog-cart horse and best-paced u&ek. Mr John Tisdall wa* &»st for colt otbltt and yearling colt or filly. -Mr John \\eil* man "secured first for weight -carrying hack and ladv's hack, and he was second for be3t paced hack. Mr W. Charters, was first for buggy horse and cvb, and second for 11stone" hack, while Messrs J. and J. Beattie were second for colt or filly and for yearling- colt or filly Mr NY. S. Williamson wass second for buggy horse, and Mr P. M'Fadyen for spring-cart horse Mr J. Walker secured first prize for pony 14£ hands, and Mr A. M'Rae was first for pony 13 hands. In tho wool competition Mr John Williamson was first for halfbred and crossbred wool, and Messrs Fraser Bros, for fleece quarter or oomoback. with Mr Ken William* In Border Leicester sheep Mr W. Moynihon was first for two-tooth ram. Ho was also first for Roinuey four-tooth ram. Mr F Atkinson secured first and second for two-tooth ram. In fat Bheep Mr W. Bennett was first for three wethers and second for three two-tooth wethers, while Mr F.Atkinson was second for three fat wethera and first for throe two-tooth wethers. Messrs J and J. Beattie were first for three fat wethers anv breed, and second for three fat lambs suitable for freezing. Mr Moynihan was second for two-tooth wethers and

maiden owes and first for fab lambs, while the Poplar Grovo Farm was first for maiden ewes and second for fat lambs. In dogs tho prizes were distributed between Messrs J. Kcasfc, W. Charters, A. Mathcson. and G. Whitton. Tho entry of pigs was good, and W. Bennett was the principal prize-winner with flrst for Yorkshire boar and sow any ago, Berkshire sow any ago and Devon sow, ■while for Berkshire sow Mr F. Moymhan was first, and for porker Mr D. Dmton. Tho domestic produce section provided jrood competition between Miss Eraser, Mrs J J. Nyhon, Mrs James Tisdall, Mrs Jitobortson, Miss J. M'Donald, Mrs T. Carttrthers, Miss V. Gamble, Mrs R. Tisdall, Mrs W. Charters, and Mrs D. Fisher, who were the principal prize-winners, tho prizes being evenlv distributed. In tho competitions tho hunting competition was won by Mrs Millar's Lady Bell tho high jump competition by Mr G. Robertson, the pony trots by Messrs E. J. Dohcrty and R. Robertson, and tho rescue raoo by Mr W. Moynihan.