OWAKA SHOW

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 12

OWAKA SHOW

GOOD DISPLAY MARRED BY RAIN. It was a determined and undiscourageablo crowd that gathered at tho Owaka Show Grounds on Friday. Tho occasion was tho tenth annual show of the Owaka A. and P. Association, and nothing s except the weather was wanting to make it a record success. Tho entries catalogued, amounting to 413, were slightly better than last year's total, and the all-round standard of quality showed an equally satisfactory advance. The driving and drenching rain that set in all day, however, made conditions so unpleasant that it said much for the couragd and enthusiasm of thoso concerned that the show was held at all. The attendance was, of course, much reduced, but at tho samo time a surprising number of settlers from far and near showed their keen interest in the display by attending and examining all that was to be seen, regardless of the weather. The large number of motor cars in the vicinity gave proof that tho Catlins River roads —as well as the bank balances of the settlors—have improved since those roads were first known to fame. Among tho visitors present was Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P. Tho actual attendance is indicated by tho fact that the gate takings this year amounted to £2l 17s, as against. £4B last year. There was a slight increase in the number of oattlo forward, but tho chief features of tho show were the light horses and the sheep. The cattle were judged by Messrs Joseph Moslcy (of Clydevale) and W. Lee (of Goodwood). Speaking generally, Mr Mosley said ho did not find tho improvement in quality that might have been expected during the last four years. Shorthorns, as a whole, were very fair. Mr G. S. Wilson's champion aged bull was true to type, and was an animal that would bo hard to boat in any show ring in-■the country. The other bulls shown were of only medium quality. The cows were fair, the yearling heifers being tho best in tho section. Ono of tho best filled classes was

that for aged cattle in milk, Mr G. S.'.Wilson coming- first in it, and Mr G. Johnstone taking second and third. Mr Johnstone, J who won the prize for most points in the whole section, also'came first in the classes for aged dry cows and for three-year heifers, second for bull three years and over, second for yearling bull, and third ; for three-year heifer and for two-year I heifer. Mr G. S. Wilson had the champion ! bull, and won first place and reserve championship with a year-old heifer. His threeyear heifer took a second, .Mr A. North got a first and second in the class for two- ! year heifers, a second with his two-year I bull, and a third with a year-old heifer. i The winning two-year-old hull belonged to Mr T. Barr, and the winning yearling to | Mr Maginness. In Ayrshire cattlo Mr T. Bart was tho only exhibitor. Ho secured I two championships, nine first prizes, and threo seconds. The judge characterised his champion cow as a splendid animal. Only three Jerseys were shown, first prizes falling to 'Messrs G. Gorman, J. Logan, and T. Barr. In Holsteins Mr Barr again swept the board without opposition, and secured five red tickets. There was nothing of outstanding merit among the crossbred cattle, though there was satisfactory competition in several of the classes. In the class for aged cows in milk Mr W: Adam camo first, with Mr P. Laughton second, . and Mr T. Barr third. Mr Barr was first in three-year heifers, two-year heifers, pair of cows, and best dairy cow, Mr P. Laughton getting the red tioket for tho best cottar's cow, and the trustees of the late A. Bradfield winning in the yearling heifers. The entries of fat cattle' were inconsiderable. Mr Phil Clent won a first and second for cows of any age, and a first for a pair, of fat steers two years or over. _ The sheep were in three sections—Leicester*, Romney Marsh, and crossbreds—all judged by Mr A. ■ Murray, of Clydevale,The principal exhibitor of Leicesters was Mr A. North, who took seven first prizes, four second?, and four thirds. The: trustees of the late A. Bradfield were also successful in taking two firsts and two-seconds with • their only exhibits. . Mr G. Johnstone won two seconds and a third. The judge found the Leicesters decidedly good. Mr North's champion four-tooth ram and his winning two-tooth ram were both splendid animals, and the winners in the ewe classes were also very good. There were no specially fine exhibits in the Romney classes, but Mr W. Adam's four-tooth ram was of good type and showed breeding. The ewes as a whole were a good lot. Mr W. Adam owned the champion owe as well as tho champion ram, and also took first place in the class for two ewes, four-tooth and over, and won tho prize for the most typical Romney sheep. Mr/ W. Blackie secured two firsts, two seconds, and a third, and Mr Barr two firsts, a second, and a third. The crossbred section contained a number of capital animals, Mr J. Logan's winning pairs of ewes being a feature of this section. Tho fat and freezing wethers were exceedingly good, and the fat lambs made an exceptionally strong class, both numerically and in the matter of quality. Mr \V. Grant avos tho winner. Mr G. Gorman taking second and third places. For the pens of three strong wool hoggets Mr W. Blackie secured first and second awards, and Mr Logai} was successful with his pwaa of Una wo«*

hoggets. Mr Maginncss took first and second for shorn wethers, and Mr J. D. Calder first for heaviest wethers. ' The judging of tho draught horses was in the nands of Mr A. Campbell, of Milton. He found tiie entries disappointing, no doubt largely on account of tho weather. Mr Mughmess's champion stallion Major Stewart was a fiue type of beast, and was selected as the best animal of the Clydesdalo breed in the show. Mr J. Logan secured the female championship. The yearlings and two and three-year-olds were •useful sorts, Mr Logan's three-year-old filly being specially good. In tho .spring-carters there were some good animals, and Mr T. Barr's winner in the 15cwt class was well ahead of competition. This horse was also

the best in the class for milkman's turn

outs. Mr J. Logan was winner in the / classes for two-year-old colts or geldings, yearling colts or fillies by Major Stewart, and three-year-old fillies. Mr Maginness got a first with an aged entire. Private Jesse Morris was first for yearling filly, for colt ' or filly three years or under, and for aged dry mare. For the best pair of mares or geldings and the best springdray horse the awarjls went to Mr John Ford. Mr G. Johnstone had the best aged gelding and the best spring-carter upt,, to lOewt. In thoroughbreds the one entire sent in by Mr A. North won a red ticket. There were eight mares entered, the awards falling' to Messrs A. Allison,-J. Campbell, and. R. P. Galbreath in that order. Mr J. Crawford Anderson, of Stirling, one of the judges of the light horses, said that the entries comprised a fair lot of animals. The' judges had no difficulty in * making their awards, as they found the prize-winners standing out well above the other exhibits.. The awards were .well distributed among., a number of competitors. Mr A. North cam© first in the two-year-old colt, gelding or filly class, with his pair of buggy horses, and -with his riding pony up to 13 hands. Mr J. D. Calder had the best yearling colt, gelding, or filly. The class for haaics up to 15 stone was won by Mr R. Houliston, witli Mr F. Ayson second and Mr T. Telford third. There were no fewer than 11' hacks entered in the class Up to 13 stone, Mr F. Ayson 'winning, followed by Mr T. Telford and Mr A. M. Macdonald. Mr J. Paterson had the best ladies' hack up to 11 stone, Mr R. E. Wood second, and Mr Walter North had the best ladies' hack, to bo ridden by a lady, Mr G. F. Sargent coming second. Miss Ivy Latta won tho prize for the best lady rider, and Mr Charles Latta got the red ticket for hie 15 hands cob. Mr John Ford won the prize for pair buggy horses, Mr R. E. Wood for a single buggy horse, and Mr R. Houliston for a dog-cart horse. Mr G. S. Wilson got first and third with his pony mares, arid Fergus Thomson-won a -first for best-ridden pony and another for best pony in harness. Mr R. K. Wood was also successful in the class for the best turn-out of horso, gig, and harness. The judgo of the dairy produce section •was Mrs James Craig, of Balclutha, who ■was greatly pleased with tho high standard reached by exhibitors. The bread she described as beautiful, and the cakes and scones were also of splendid quality. The butter was all good, ibut the first prizetakers "won by outstanding merit. Altogether it was often a most difficult matter to decide the winners in this section. Mrs C. M'Donald, who came first in oatcakes, home-made girdle scones, home-made oven scones, and gingerbread, and second iri the sponge roll class, won also the special prize for most points in the baking classes. Miss Jean Barr, who secured the champion card for most points in -dairy produce, took a second for oatcake, h.c. for girdle scones* first and second for .pikelets, and second in the display of home-made goods and household produce. She also won prizes for the heaviest duck and hen eggs. The display of home-made'' goods class brought two most oreditable and comprehensive entries, the winner (Mrs Hauptfleisch) sending in a remarkably fine collection. Ihe Taieri and Peninsula Company secured the prizes for export cheese. For two pounds of fresh butter Mrs W. Richardson came first, with Mrs R. Coker second and Mrs H. H. Rix third. In powdered dairy butter Master A. E. Kerr was first, and Mrs A. M. Anderson second, and in powdered separator butter the, awards went to Mrs W. Wilson, Mrs R.' Mudie. and Mrs D. Needham in that order. Mrs R. Mudie won a first for salt butter in a crock, and Mrs James Thompson a first for a display of fancy butter. There were nine entries in the home-made loa: class, the winners being Mrs A. Sharps, Miss A. Wilson, and Mrs J. Christie. The wirner of the shortbread class was Mrs D. Neil, with Miss A. Wilson second, and Mrs W. Stevenson ..third, out of 11 entries. Mrs < A. Williams won the fruit oaike competition, Mrs J. Horan the seed cake competition, and Mrs J. Logan the class for sponge rolls. Tho entries of dogs, judged by Mr A. Murray, numbered 10. Mr G. Johnstone got the red ticket for rough collies, Mr M. T. Jackman for smooth collies, and Mr S. T. M'Calman for bcardies.

Most of the competitions were carried through in opite of the conditions prevailing, and provided some interesting contesta. They resulted as follows: —Hunter over jumps, A. M. Maodonald 1, F. Ayson 2, A. North 3. High jump: A. M. Maodonald 1, F. Ayson 2. P.olo race:. J. Andrews 1, A. M. Maodonald 2. "Best walking horse (six entries): R. Houliston 1. A. M. Maodonald 2. Pony trot: A. North 1, Munro 2. The silver cup, donated by tho president, to be won twice in rucoession or

three times at intervals, for the competitor obtaining most points in sheep, cattle, and horses, was again won by the present holder, Mr T. Barr. Every credit is duo to the secretary of the association (Mr F. B. Jiauptfleisch) for the very complete and satisfactory manner in which all arrangements were carried through, and the pressmen are specially indebted to the press steward (Mr W. Adam) for his very courteous and businesslike assistance,