NORTHERN A. AND P. SHOWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 12

NORTHERN A. AND P. SHOWS.

(From Our North Island Correspondent) TARANAKI. ' The Taranaki A. and P. Association held its annual show on its new show grounds on Wednesday and Thursday. February 27 and 28, and one of the outstanding features was the splendid entries of stock. In the 4airy seotion the three favourite breeds — Jerseys, Friesians, and Ayrshires—predominated. The first-named made the strongest phowing; but that the Friesian is gaining jn popularity is manifested .from the growing entries, the black-and-white running the Jersey close for numerical supremacy. Milking Shorthorns were also sho'wn freely, but some of the classes were disappointing. Fat' cattle were not numerous, but tho specimens penned provided a good advertisement os to the grazing qualities of the land in Taranaki, especially the first-prize winner, owned by Mr T. Bottomloy, of Hawera. The judge considered that the fat cattle shown wore of great quality. With regard to tho Friesians, the pedigree classes were exceptionally strong, and showed uniformity in quality. The judge found it very hard to separate the winners, particularly in the young classes, so numerous were the entries. One of the deficiencies was the limited number of aged oows; but it is reoognised that an autumn show is not as good as u spring show for exhibiting cows in milk. Entries came from all over Taranaki in that class, Mr Newton King's silver cup for most points going for the second year in succession to Mr J. W, Gardiner. Mr G. A. Marchant's aged bull appropriated tho championship, and Mr W. James s cow the championship. In Ayrcshires W. Hall and Olson Bros, were tho strongest competitors, tho latter annoxing the silver cup for points prize, which last year was won by W. Hall. She Egmont villago breeders annexed both mmpionehip3, as Well as tho reserve championship for cows. Tho bull championship5 hip was won bv W. Tait's (Auroa) Style of Jrookside, by Stylo of Inglewood, W. Hall (Lepperton) gaining the reserve. In Jerseys A. A. Ward (Miro) again won the silver cup points prize for the second successive year. _ As at Hawera, his cow Sofeated J. Nicholson for championship ohours; but his bull, the Hawera cham-

pion, had to give place to Mr John Halo's, , of IS'ew Plymouth. In dairy Shorthorns the young stock shown was very good, and were a decided ' improvement on old stock. I SHEEP. | Sheep mado a very creditable exhibition this year —in fact, so large were the entries '. that the judge had no light task, arid in order to expedite the work it was necessary to secure the assistance of a second judge. Even then it was late in the afternoon before all the tickets were up. Every class was keenly contested, and some very fine specimens were shown. In English Leicesters J. H. Street, of Bell Block, took tho ram championship, and A. J. and O. R. Old the ewe. j W. B. Grant annexed both championships j in the Lincoln classes. In Southdowns C. M'Laren was awarded the ram championship, whilst the Moore Hunter Estate carried off the main honours in the ewe classes. Romney Marsh were well represented, Cleland Bros., of Kaponga, winning the ram and J. Blair the ewe championships. J. Hi Street was the only competitor in Shropshircs, and he swept the board. Some fine sheep 'were shown in the farmers' classes, thus making up one of the j best exhibitions of wool and mutton ever ! seen on tho New Plymouth Show Grounds. PIGS. j Pigs we.ro numerically stronger than last year, but the number penned was not what should be expected in a district like Tara- ! naki, where tho pig should be a valuable side line. In the Berkshire classes Symons Bros., of Pungarehu, and iStewnrt and Landsberg won the boar and sow championships respectively. HORSES. Draughts mado a fair competition, E. W. Walsh's HI, by Lord _ Roberts— Whakamara, annexing tho entire championship. The thoroughbred entire championship went to J. Bond's'(New Plymouth) Campfirc. Other championships awarded wero: —Hack, J. Barraclough's Cliff; saddle horse, E. Short's (Feilding) Scout; and pony, W. D. Linn'B Darkie. TAIHAPE. The Rangitikei A. and P. Association's seventh annual show, held at Taihape on Wednesday, February 27, proved a ( great success. The exhibits were, of course, the ininortant feature of the show, but they wore more so on this occasion, as they were more numerous, and of a uniform J quality not before equalled at any previous ! show. The most interesting, and perhaps tho most imposing, display was in sheep, the Romnoys constituting a show that would do credit to any exhibition of tho kind. Tho chief exhibitors in Romnoys were Messrs A. R. Fannin. G. A. Wheeler, J. G. Collins and W. H. Gibson, of Kiwitea. For three consecutive years Mr Fannin has secured the highest number of points; thereforo ho becomes the winner of tho handsome £lO 10s cup presented by Mr W. Reid,. which had to bo won threo times. He also won Mr Walter Williams s geld medal, which had to bo won outright. Mr Fannin ought to feel proud of his record. I Mr Gibson &.*me next in number of points, only threo points, separating Mr Wheeler and Mr J. G. Collins. Mr Wheeler secured first prize for threo lambs, and Mr Collins for the best lamb, which indicates that local stud Romney flocks will be prominent at

future shows. In Lincolns a local exhibitor was again successful in keeping chief honours in the district. Mr R. Wilkie being first for three rams and first for one under ,21 months. Messrs W. Reid and Sons, of Feilding, took every prize in Southdowns with some really first-class animals. For Romneys in the farmers' classes Mr D. Scott was the most successful exhibitor, Mr A. K. Overton being his runner-up. Mr D. Broome toolc fir»t with <fivo very fine flock ewe hoggets. Mr F. Hintz and Mr R. Wilkie also exhibited animals of high ■ quality. In fat sheep Reid and Son, .of Feilding, can be said, to have scooped the pool, although Mr D. Scott and Mr A. K. Overton showed well-prepared animals. In 1 fat lambs Reid and Son had to give first place to Mr H. D. Bennett, both exhibi- ] tors showing in perfect condition. _ CATTLE. The cattle exhibits were of uniform excellent quality, and the number was so j unexpectedly large that special provision | had to be made for penning them, the fats j being exceptionally fine. Messrs E. W. | Spooner and S. S. Timbs were the chief I prize-takers; but Messrs G. A. Wheeler, J. Bartosh, and H. D. Bennett showed well. The purebreds looked well. Mr W. H. ! Gibson secured first, and champion for Shortj horn cow, Mr G. A. Wheeler first and champion for Hereford bull; also for Hereford oow. In Friesians Mr T. W. Wili Hams, of Mataroa, took the championship | for bull and Mr J. Woods (Piriaka) the j championship for cow. Mr Crawford showed I well in Jerseys, but was just beaten in ; bulls by Mr D. Kilgour, of Kiwitea, and i in cows by Messrs Banks and Son, of the same place. In pigs Mr J. T. Taylor almost swept the board. HORSES. Mr T. Mann's draught horse exhibits constituted a magnificent lot, and he deservedly secured a championship for one of his own bred fillies —Bonny Jean. Mr J. . Smith and Mr J. A. Jacobson also showed j fine specimens of the Clydesdale, and took prizes. Mr Mann secured first for draught stallion with young Lonsdale. The miscelaneous horse and harness horse classes were numerously contested. Miss G. Maher was awarded the championship for harness . horse, winning with Batohelor. The same ; horse also secured the championship in saddle horses. The district ladies' hack , honours fell to Mr J. Stodart's Topthorn,. ! Mrs J.- V. Morrin's The Peer coming , second. In ladies* hacks, ridden by lady, Mr Goodwin's Romeo claimed the judge's favour, Mr J. Brire's being second and Mrs ,T. V. Morrin's Gentleman Joe third. The • entries in the competitions were so numerous that the best part of the day was taken up in judging, final results not being available till after 7 p.m. In the vegetable classes the names of F. Swindells and W. J. Barsford are most prominent. The home industry classes brought out some closely-contested displays, the prizes being more divided than in previous years. Still, the old-time noted winners, Miss BelHs and Mrs Forstcr, held their own well right throughout. In the children's clpsses, Miss Grace Duncan was again well to the fore.