BLUESKIN A. AND P. SOCIETY

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 13

BLUESKIN A. AND P. SOCIETY

JUBILEE SHOW.

On Saturday the Blueskin Agricultural and Pastoral Society celebrated its fiftieth summer show at Waitati, and, as was to be expected', the fixture attracted a large attendance of settlers in the Blueskin district as iWell as many visitors from Dunedin, Palmerston, and Qamaru. Generally the show was a great success, and easily eclipsed any of the society's previous gatherings. A feature- of the function was a presentation by the vicepresident of the society (Mr P. Briscoe), on behalf of the members, to the president and his wife (Mr Thomas M'Connell and Mrs M'Connell) of a gold medal and 1 a cut-glass cake dish mounted on a silver stand. In

making the presentation Mr Briscoe said that tho officials of the society had considered that it would fittingly mark the celebration of their fiftieth show if they made presentations to their esteemed president and his good lady. Mr M'Connell had been a member of their society for 50 years, which was a very line record; but when he told them that Mr M'Connell had only missed something like two meetings of the committee in that period they would realise the great interest he had always taken in the welfaro of the society.—(Applause.) They would agree further that such an excellent record was worthy of some recognition at the hands of the members. The token which ho "had to present to Mr M'Connell was symbolical of the goodwill, regard and esteem in which he was held throughout the neighbourhood. —(Applause.) Mr M'Connell, request of tho speaker, then stepped on to a platform arranged for the occasion and, amid loud cheering by those witnessing the ceremony, had the gold medal pinned to the lapel of his coat. The medal bore the inscriptions: '"Blueskin A. and P. Society, 1868. Thomas M'Connell, Esq.. 1918, and "Fifty years membership." Further cheering took placeafter Mrs M'Connell. had received her present, and then followed "For They are Jolly Good Fellows" and more cheers, after which Mr and Mrs M'Connell were photographed with the public around them. From the point of view exhibits the show was a remarkably good one, and in not a few cases were animals which had been successful at previous shows held this season beaten out of a place, so good was the quality of the opposition. In tho cattle sections, Ayrshires predominated, there being only a limited number of crossbreds and Jerseys and Alderneys. In the firstmentioned breed Mr O. Crawford was first for - bull three years and upwards, first for heifer three years, and third for yearling heifer, cow bred by exhibitor, and cow any age. Mr P. Ireland was first for two-year-old bull, heifer two years, cow four years and over, cow o* heifer bred by exhibitor, cow any age with two of her progeny, and he also secured the champion ribbon for the best Ayrshire cow or heifer on the ground. Mr D. Reid was first for dry heifers, two and three years, and in addition was placed second for' dry cow four years or over, cow any age with two of her progeny," as well as filling second and third places in other classes. Mr Wm. Sutherland was first unopposed in the yearling bull class. Mr James Perry was chief prizetaker in crossbreds, Mr G. Connor being next, and Messrs Mitchell Bros, and Mr J. Baird next. The other prize-winners were Mr John .Wilson, Mr A. Ross, and Mr A. Miller. In the Jersey and Alderney class Mr E. Smith was first in each class, with Mr J. R. Scott and Mr J. Baird filling the minor places. There were only three rings, these being bull, cow,. and heifer classes. Mr M. Beasly won the prize for cottar's cow, Mr A. Ross being second and Mr G. Connor third. Mr D. Reid was first for pair of heifers two and three years old respectively, Mr O. Crawford being first for pair of yearling heifers and Mr Ireland first for pair of cows any breed fit for dairy purposes.

In the Clydesdale section there were some good horses shown, there being keen competition between Mr J. Birtlos and Messrs Kenyon Brothers. The former secured first awards for entire two years, entire one year, two-year-old filly, gelding two years, yearling gelding or filly, dry mare, four-year-old gelding, pair of horses three years or over, brood mare with two of her progeny, and he received the champion ribbon for best mare or filly. Messrs Kenyon Brothers, in addition to being runners-up to Mr Birtles in each of his successes, were awarded champion ribbon for entire over three years, and carried off the first, second, and third honours for brood mare with foal at toot, and for Clydesdale foal. Others who secured minor awards were Mr JDriver and Mr George Fry. In the working horse class Mr D. Shand was first for handy horse suitable for farmer's general work, with Mr W. Hastie second and Mr D. Young third. For spring-carter over 15owt and up to one ton, Messrs Kenyon Brothers were first and Mr M. Geary second. Mr W. Hastie was first for springcarter up to 15cwt, Messrs Kenyon Brothers being second and Mr Landreth third. For spring-carter up to lOowt Mr D. Yqung was first, Mr Hastie second, and Mr F. Driver third.

In tho thoroughbred class Mr D. O'Connell was the most successful exhibitor. He secured first with Silver Cross, a veteran of the racing track, in the class for dry mare, gelding, or filly over three years, and was second in the same class with a close relative of Afton Loch, Mr A. M. Shugar being third. Mr O'Connell was first in the two : year-old class with a fine filly by Grafton Loch. Mr O'Connell also showed a fine filly by Rothcliffe, out of Ngawe, for which he was awarded first prize. In the hackney classes there was strong oompetsiltfion. Mr P. Bell was* iirst ,for brood mare, Mr T. Driver first for two-year-old, and Mr O'Connell first for yearling. Mrs Conn was first in 14-stone and 11-stone hacks, Mr A. W. Douglas being runner-up in tho former and Mr M. Prydo third, while in the latter Mrs M'Kay and Mr Wellman filled the minor places. Mr Douglas was first in the cob class, Mr J. Mee second, and Mr T. Driver third. Mr Douglas was first in the class for horses suitable for mounted work, Miss Hay ward second, and Mr P.ryde third. Mrs Conn was first for lady's hack, Mr Douglas second. Mrs M'Kay was adjudged the best lady rider, Miss Sloan second, and Miss. Driver third. Mr Douglas was first for local lady's hack; Miss Driver being second. Mr Montgomery was first for buggy horse, Mr Douglas second, and Mr J. Park third. Mrs Conn was first for dog-oart horse, Mr Douglas being second, and the Messrs Chesney Brothers third. For pony under 14.2 Master A. Douglas* 'was first, Master' W. Hughes second, and Master D. Shand third. Mr 6. Strong Was first for pony stallion. Mr W. Hastio's. Wee Wee was first in the 13 hands pony class, with Master G. Shand second. Tho winner was first in the same class when driven, and was runner-up in the harness class for ponies under 14-.2 to Master A. Douglas, Master D. Shand being third. Mr W. Hastio's Lord Kitchener was first in tho 12 hands pony class in both saddle and harness, tho runner-up in the first class being Matser A. Douglas, Master T. Murphy third, while in tho second Master A. Douglas was second. Daniel O'Connell was. awarded tho prize for best boy rider, Master B. Hastio second,, and Master R. Hastie third. A good deal of interest was taken in the competitions, and some good jumping was witnessed. A feature of the leaping events was tho exhibition of riding given by Master B. Hastio, a boy just 12 years old. His best performance was when ho rodo

Dandy in the high jump, and tiocl wjth Mrs MilW's Lady Bell, tlio local champion high jumper, for second place, the winner being Mr A. Farquharson's Dr Jini. Mrs Conn won the hunting competition with Luigi, Mrs Miller's Lady Bell being second, and Mrs M'Kay's Lady Loo third. Mrs M'Kay's Lady Loo was first in the competition over three flights of hurdles, Mrs Conn being second, and Miss H'ayward third. Mies Hayward's Niger was first in tho Bland Cup, Mrs M'Kay's Lady Loo second, and Mrs Conn's Luigi third.