TAPANUI SHOW

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

TAPANUI SHOW

The forty-third annual show of the Tapantii Farmers' Club was held at Tapanui on Wednesday. The v weather looked threatening practically all day, and at times a drizzle fell, but it was not sufficintly he"avy< to oauso any inconvenience. At about 5 o'clock, however, it commenced to rain in real earnest, and many show patrons who had to uso the less modern means of returning to their homes—that is, by the use of horse vehicles—must have got more or less drenched. The entries in the aggregate, were in excess of those of last year. Light horses were particularly well represented numerically, but there was a slight falling off in some of the other sections. As compared with .previous «years, the quality of the stock could not bo said to have improved, and what wa3 probably more pronounced was the poorness of tho condition of some of the animals. This was especially noticeable in the sheep classes, a few of the exhibits being little better than skeletons. In this connection it has to be remembered that the season of the year had a good deal to do "with the condition of the stock, and it is a matter for regret that the! show could not be held earlier in the season. The management of the exhibition was in capable hands, the secretary (Mr W. R. Quin) being largelv responsible for this fortunate state of affairs. Inspector Craig was present in the interests of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, but nothing of a nature demanding his attention was in evidence. The Tapanui Brass Band was present, played a number of selections, which added greatly to the enjoyment of patrons. The attendance of the ..general public was much in excess of last year, and included visitors from Dunedin. \ Cattle have never \ been a feature of Tapanui shows, and this year was no exception to the rule. In Shorthorns Mrs J. L. Herbert had matters practically all her own way, and won all the prizes, with the exception 'of the second in the class for cows, which was won by Mr W. A: Baxter. In Ayrshires the only exhibitors were Mrs D. Colquhoun and Mr A. Mason, the latter winning the bulk of the prizes. In the crossbred classes the exhibitors were Messrs W. A. Baxter, A. Mason, Thos. Edgar, J. O. Smith, and Miss Quin, and some fairly good anmals were on exhibition. The fat cattle classes were well filled, and some prime quality stuff was forward, Mr K. M'Kenzie being the most successful exhibitor. The others who obtained tickets were Messrs M. M'Auley, W. Redditt, Geo. Stuart, W. A. Baxter, and Miss Quin. Mr Mason was awarded the certificate for most points in the cattle classes. Mr A. Reid, manager of the Knapdale Estate, allotted the awards. / There was a fair exhibition of draught horses, but competition was not keen. Messrs 0. Cooper (Gore), and G. Morrison (Waikaka) were the judges. Messrs Milligan Bros, were the only exhibitors in yearling colts, and in brood mares Mr Alex. Haugh annexed the pink ticket with a shapely matron, which also achieved a similar success in the class for brood mares bred in. the dominion. The other classes in which there was only one entry, and in which full honours were awarded, were: Two-year-old filly (Mr Jas. A. Jenkins); gelding, one year (Mr J. D. Rodger); threeorse team (Messrs Milligan Bros.), and best foal (Mr Haugh). There were six entries in the class for dry mares, the pink ticket going to Mr Haugh, second to Mr Jenkins, and third to Messrs Milliga'n Bros. • In the gelding class Messrs Milligan Bros, got first and second prizes, and Mr Rodger the third. Mr Haugh had an easy win in pairs, Messrs Milligan Bros, being second and Mr G. Turnbull third. Mr Haugh scored in the class for mare with two of her progeny, with Mr Turnbull second. There were seven entries in the class for dry mares, dominion bred, Mr Haugh taking first and third awards and Messrs Milligan Bros, second. Mr Haugh ■had another easy win. in three-horse teams, Messrs Milligan' Bros, being second. The champion certificate for the best mare on the ground was won by Mr Haugh, who also secured the cup for most points in draught horses.. Messrs M. R. Lawlor and Geo. Russell (both of Gore) adjudicated in the light horse section. There was only one entry. in yearling thoroughbreds—viz., that of Dr Robertson, which gained the pink ticket. In 15-stone hacks Mr A. M'Gillivray won in a class of seven entries with a stylish beast showing considerable breeding; MissM'Leod got second and Mr R. L. Morland (Edendale) third.- In the_ 13-stone class Mr H. E. Pannett (Waipahi) was allotted first and eecond prizes and Mr Morland third. There were 11 entries in the 11-stone class, Mr Pannett gaining the coveted pink ticket, and Mr A. Sim second and third. The class for three-year-old hacks attracted only two entries, Mr Morland's defeating Miss Cameron's. There were nine entries in 12stone cobs, the judges' choice being that exhibited by Mr Sim, with Mr Morland second and Mr Pannett third.'/ For cobs under 15 hands Mr Roy Edgar was first, Mr Pannett second and Miss Ella Mackenzie third. For ponies under 14g hands first, prize went to Mr Geo. Potter, second to Mr Geo. Stuart, and third to Miss X. Sullivan. Miss Ward got first and second prizes for ponies under 13 hands, Mr Morland being third. Mr A. Sim won in the class for lady's hacks, with Mr Morland socond and Mr Pannett third. Miss Taylor was adjudged the best lady rider. The first prize for the best single buggy horse went to Mr Pannett, Mr Sim being second, and Mr Morland third. There were eight entries in the dog-cart class, Mr Morland having an easy win, MissM'Leod being second, and Mr Pannett third. There wa3 one entry in the spring-cart class —viz., that of Mr Jas. Isteed, and it was awarded first honours. The class for best-paced horse attracted 13 entries, the pink ticket going to Mr M'Gillivray, second to Mr Sim, .and third to Mr Pannett. There wire eight entries in the class for troopers' hacks, Mr Pannett annexing first and eecond prizes and Mr Sim third. Mr Pannett was the only exhibitor in buggy pairs, and was given the pink ticket. Mr Isteed was the only entrant in the class for milk-cart turn-out, and gained tho premier award. Mr Pannett, who won tho committee's fiveSuinea cup last year for most points in the ght horse classes, pehievod a similar distinction on this ocoasitrh, and thus 'A'ins the cup outright. The sheep section was judged by Messrs .Walter Murray (Warepa), John Allan (East Taicri), and John Tiunbull (Waikaka), the

duties being divided. Mr G. Turnbull was tho only exhibitor in Border Leicesters, and gained all the prizes oompeted for. His sheep wero quite up to tho average in the matter of quality. Mrs J. L. Herbert had no competition in Romney Marsh sheep, and exhibited sheep thoroughly typical of tho breed. She was awarded full honours and both championships. Crossbreds were a very mixed lot, although some good individual sheep were shown. Tho most prominent exhibition were Mtssrs A. Robertson, R. Potts, D. C. M'Pherson, M. Ferguson, A. S. Herbert, S- Crawford, and G. L. Herbert. In the fat sheep classes Mrs J., L. Herbert was unusually successful, her animals showing a strong strain of Romney, evinced ovidenoe of oareful selection and breeding. In the freezing classes Mr M'Phedran showed 1 some exceptionally good quality Down cross sheep in both the sheep and lamb classes, and staved off all competition. This'exhibitor also won in the class for three heaviest fat lambs with animals which would probably kill at close on 601 b. Mr George Stuart won in the class for five freezing wethers or maiden ewce, ■ Mr R. Potts being second, and Mrs Herbert third. The other prize-takers in this section were Messrs Milligan Bros, and N. M'Ritchie. Mrs Herbert again exhibited her heavyweight Romney wethers —veritable veterans of the show- yard—and scored. There was good competition in the dairy produce section, which was judged by Miss Kempshell (Maungatua). ' In tho .butter classes Mrs M. Robertson was the most successful exhibitor, winning three first and three S£Cond prizes, in addition to the special prize for most points in the butter classes. Miss E. F. Shanks and Mrs R. M'Donald were the other successful ,ejchibitors in butter. The latter exhibitor 1 was tho only entrant in cheese, and secured the pink ticket. < ln the strictly domestic section the principal prize-takers were Mrs Brandigan (three first in cakes and scones), Mrs R. M'Donald (two first and one second in cakes and scones), Mrs M. Robertson, Miss Davidson, Mrs R. A. Rodger, Mrs Gavin BrownJie (two firsts and a second), Mrs Ferguson, Mrs J. A. Thomson, Miss Braudigan, Mrs A. S. Jenkins, Mrs James Robertson, Mrs Hawkins', and Mrs C. Smith.