FEILDING A. AND P. SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 3335, 13 February 1918, Page 11

FEILDING A. AND P. SHOW.

(From Ooe Nobth Island CosnESPONDENT) Feilding A. and P. Show took place on Wednesday and Thursday, February 5 and 6, and despte shortage of labour conditions, preventing' many breeders from competing, the Show was a very successful one. It. is true ihere was a slight falling off in some entries; but, really, the main portion of the exhibition was as good as ever. In fact, in the dairy division the Show of 1918 outclassed its predecessors; and the same applies to pigs,* the entries being so many in advance of last year that five additional pens had 'to be erected to provide accommodation for the increased entry. In the cattle classes there were 150 head shown, mostly of the favourite milking breeds, the Jerseys being the most prominent, with Shorthorns, Friesians, and Ayrshires in lesser numbers. But in this class of stock it was pleasing to note that, so far from there being any deterioration, the quality has steadily improved, until now, j with the best that breeders can show, it is j difficult to imagine in what way there can ! bo an improvement, except in the general get-up of the exhibits. The yearling classes were a very strong feature; but the ques j tion always arises on an occasion like this, How is it that so many yearlings showing excellent promise never reach the judge as two-year-olds? Of course, an unfavourable change sets in in the interval, and there is an udder defection, or the animals fail to develop satisfactorily. Nevertheless it is a fact, and one that is very marked. As a survival from the time when the horse was deemed the most useful domestic animal, he still occupies first place in all show catalogues; but at Feilding his num- j ber does not entitle him to the honour. Here it was 55, making good competitive entries in the pony, mare, gelding, and hack classes, but not so good in the harness and draught classes, though the quality was satisfactory. The fat sheep classes were well filled. Messrs J. M'Kel- : vie and W. Roid and Son being the largest exhibitors. As usual at ehow3, some of the , a*nimals wero too fat for practical purposes, j except, as the judge remarked, if they could be disposed of in Germany, where fat is so highly prized. These remarks. however, only apply to certain pens, and not to the bulk of the entries, which wero good. There was also good competition ! in the fat lamb classes. Stud sheep showed j up well, Romneys predominating, and it j was pleasing to note 'that very few inferior j sheep wero exhibited. This can be under- | stood when it is mentioned that nearly all the best breeders of the district competed. CHAMPIONSHIPS. Following is a list of championships: Shorthorn.—Bull, W. F. Jacobs; cow, W. H. Oibson. Friesian.—Cow, John Donald. Jersey.—Bull, F. J. Watson; cow, L. R. Lancaster. Ayrshire.—Bull, A. Weir ; cow, J. M'Farland and Son. Pvomnoy.—Ram and ewe. G. E. Allen. Lincoln.—Ram, W. H. Booth; ewe, W. H. Gaisford. Leicester.—Ram and esva, S. R. Lancaster. Southdown.—Ram and ewe, J. Knight. Harness Horse.—Mrs W. H. Gibson. Hack.—Mr H. EL«*:~"

POINTS PRIZES. Knight's Challenge Trophy, to be won two years in succession, or three times at intervals, for most points in all classes of sheep. and lambs.—W. Reid and Sons; winner last year, J. Knight. Challenge Trophy, for most points in fat sheep and lambs. —W. Reid and Sons. Trophy, awarded to the competitor scoring the highest aggregate of points in farm classes.—Reid and Sons. Trophy, for most points in stud Romneys.—G. E. Allen. This is .the second time in succession that the Wairarapa breeder has secured 'this coveted trophy. Special, for the competitor 'scoring most points in grade dairy cattle classes.—S. R. Lancaster 1, BE-. J. Lancaster a" close second. Shield, for the exhibitor obtaining most points in home industries. —Mrs D. MacDonald. As _ this is the exhibitor's third successive victory, the shield, valued at lOgs, becomes Mrs MacDonald's own property.