OWAKA SHOW

Otago Witness, Issue 3383, 15 January 1919, Page 12

OWAKA SHOW

The climatic conditions were most, unfavourable during the early part of Friday, when the eleventh annual show of the Owaka A. and P. Association was held. It had rained heavily from about midnight until 7 a.m., with the result that the ground was somewhat wet underfoot. When the show opened, shortly after the arrival of the train from Balclutha at midday, the ground had dried considerably, and with the exception of two slight showers which fell late in the afternoon the weather was no •• source of complaint. As was to be expected, there was a failing off in entries to the extent of nearly 100 as compared with the previous year. When it is mentioned that Messrs A. North. G. S. Wilson, and the trustees of the late Alfred Biddfield's estate, who among: them were responsible for some 300 entries last year, and who did not have a single entry, on this occasion, it will readily be seen that the society had to contend with a serious drawback. To the credit of the womenfolk of the district, it has to be recorded that they increased the entries in the domestic section in a substan- - tial degree, and what was lacking in live stock exhibits was fully made up in dairy produce and baking exhibits. The interest in the association's work is being well, sustained, thanks to the efforts of a hardworking committee, the membership having increased by nearly 100 during the current year. The attendance at the show was in excess of that of last year, £3l 2s being taken at the gate. Mr W. Adam was the president on this occasion, and, assisted by an energetic committee, had arrangements well in hand. Mr W. Richardson is still as successful as ever in the post of secretary, and Mr T. Maginness, as press steward, did excellent service, and earned the gratitude of the press representatives. Among those present were Mr A. S. Malcolm, M.P., and the Hon. D. T. Fleming, M.L.C. Cattle were not as numerous as on former occasions, but there were some excellent individual animals on exhibition. In 'Shorthorns, which were judged by Mr T. H. Russell (Milburn), Mr G. Johnstone (Tahatika) was the principal exhibitor, and an- " nexed the bulk of the prizes. There were three entries in the class for bulls, three years and over, Mr W. Russell (Parefeu) taking first and champion certificates with a specially good animal, Mr J. Cook being second. The cows were all out of condi* tion, a state of affairs entirely attributable to severe weather experienced during the past seven or eight months. An entry of Mr Johnstone's won the championship in the female division, and he also took the certificate for the largest number of points in the section. Avrshires were judged by Mr W. Lee (Goodwood), who expressed himself as pleased with the animals brought under his notice. The exhibition was confined to two exhibitors—Messrs T. Bar* (Owaka) and J. Duley (Owaka Valley), The former was most successful, and toott all the awards with the exception of & third in the olass for a pair of cows, which went to Mr Duley. There were only tw§ . Jerseya forward, both of which belonged to

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Messrs Rae Bros. (Tarara). One was a yearling bull, and the other a two-year-old heifer, and showed signs of good breeding. Both these animals have been recently imported into the district, • and should be a distinct acquisition to Messrs Rae Bros. Although provision was made for Holsteins in the schedule, there were none forward. Crdssbreds, which were judged by Messrs Russell and Lee. were not numerous, and quite a variety of crosses were recognised. Messrs J. Duley, J. M. Thomson, and W. Adam were the only exhibitors, the first-named being the most sflccessful. There was quite an interesting competition for a 25-guinea rose bowl, presented by the Waitaki Dairy Company for the cow producing the most butter-fat, the test having been taken from all the animals one day last month. Mr W. Adam (the association's popular president) was declared the winner, with a 3.6 milk test and a 2.2 butter-fat test. Mr R. Landreth (Katea) was second, with a 5.9 milk test and a 2.1 butter-fat test.. Mr J. Bradfield, who had three cows entered in the competition, tied for third place with two of them, the milk test being 3.6 in one case and 4.0 in the other, the butter-fat test in each case being 1.9. Considerable interest was taken in the competition, and Mr Adam was warmly congratulated on his well-merited win. There were 13 entries in all. There were no fat cattle forward. The special prize for most points in cattle was won bv'Mr T. Barr. Sheep were probably one of the features of the show, although it could not be said that there were any animals of high-class merit on exhibition. This section was judged by Mr Walter Murray (Warepa), who was, generally speaking, pleased with the animals which came under, his notice. In Romneys, in the aged ram class, Mr Jas. Logan was the only exhibitor, and showed two animals thoroughly typical of the breed, both carrying a good strong fleece. The same exhibitor's ram hogget was a well-grown animal, but was, if anything, in the judge's opinion rather strong in the wool. Mr W. Adam's entry was awarded the blue ticket. Mr W. H. Oraigie annexed the red ticket in fourtooth ewes, Mr W., Blaokie (Ahuriri) being second, and Mr Logan third. Messrs Logan and Adam were the only entrants in twotooth ewes in the wool, first prize going to 'the former with an animal showing considerable character. In shorn two-tooths and in the pairs Mr Logan took the coveted rod tickets. In Leicesters Mr G. Johnstone (Tahatika) was the only exhibitor, but the quality was good, especially in the young sheep. He was allotted both championships, in addition to the certificate for most points. In crossbreds the successful, exhibitors were Messrs Blackie, Logan, G. J. F. Johnstone, R. F. Telfer, W. Grant, and John Miller. The fat sheep were without doubt the strongest in this section, especially the class for the three heaviest wethers, where Mr Telfer took the two principal awards. Both pens were good quality sheep, and were not at all c< wasty." Fat lambs were a good class, Mr Johnstone winning-against Messrs Grant and Miller. Mr Logan took the special prize of £2 2s for most points in sheep. The draught horse section was a disappointing one as far as a display of stud horses was concerned, but nevertheless some good useful sorts came under review when Mr J. Gow came to allot the awards. The principal exhibitors were: Messrs J. Logan, J. Morris, G. Johnstone, W. Grant, J. Ford. W. Spence, and E. and J. Hewson. The champion certificate in the female division went to Mr Johnstone with a four-year-old dry mare. The spring-carters were a good, useful lot. Thoroughbreds and roadsters were judged by Mr P. Clent (Balclutha), but as far as the former was concerned his task was a comparatively light Gne. Only two were forward —one* entered by Mr A. Allison (Puerua) and the other by Mr R. Galbraith (Tahatika), the former being placed first and champion and the latter second. In 15-stone hacks, Mr F. Ayson Won in a class of five with an upstanding beast, Mr M. Jackman (Romahapa) being second, and John Miller third. In 13-stone hacks, six entries faced the judge, who selected an entry by Mr R. E. •Wood for first honours, and one by Mr Jackman for second. There were seven entries in the 11-stone class, of which that of Mr J. Caley (Purekireki) was selected to >voa- the red ticket, second honours going to an entry by Mr T. Maginness. In lady's hacks, Mr Maginness defeated Mr Wb°d in a class of eight, as he also did in Gobs, Mr G. Hay being third. In the class for pair of buggy horses, Mr J. Ford was the only 9xhibitor,_ and was awarded full honours. In the single buggy horse class Mr Wood won, Mr Maginness being second, and Mrs J. L. M'Lay (Ratanui) third. Mr Jackman won in the dog-cart class, Mr L. O'Connell (Awatea) being second. The boys' and girls' ponies were a good lot. Mr A. North winning in 13 hands class and Miss M. M'Dougall in tho " 14 hands class Mr Wood annexed the first prize in the _ class for the > fcest turn out, Mr F. G. Gainsford (Ahuriri) being second, and Mr Ford third. Mr W. # Pearson (Goodwood) was the only exhibitor in pony stallions, and . was awarded full honours and champion certificate. Mr J. W. Murray (Port Molyneux) was equally successful in

the class for roadster stallions. The special prize for most points in horses was won by Mr G. Johnstone. A parade of prize stock, which took place at 3.30 p.m.,' was keenly watched, and was well arranged. Mr W. Murray judged collie dogs, there being only a verv limited entry. Mr "VS. H. Craigie took two first prizes and Mr J. Miller a second. Some very interesting competitions were | got off, Mr Clent being the judge. Mr F. I Spinks's entry was awarded first prize in ! the high jump event, and Mr F. Ayson s j second. In the polo race Mr W. Richardj son's, jun., entry was'first, Mr C. Ashi more's second, and Mr F. Spinks's third. ; Pony trots were won by Mr W. Spence ! (Glenomaru) and Mr Jack Galbraith (Tahaj kopa). The pony jump was won by Mr C. ] Ashmore, and tho bare-backed riding event Iby Mr W. North, Mr F. Ayson being 1 second and Mr F. Spinks third. I Considerable interest was taken in the dairy produce and domestic section, and I some excellent quality goods were adjudi- | cated on by Mrs Craig (Balclutha). The I Tarara Factory won in export cheese, there i being no competition. The three first j prizes in the fresh and powdered butter i classes were won by Mesdames R. C. Kerr I (Otekura), Hewson (Tahatika), and M. i Latta; the second prizes by Mesdames W. ! Richardson, Kerr, and Hayward; the third ! prizes by Mesdames Latta, Jas. Horan, and I Richardson. In salt and fancy butter classes ' Mrs Oraigie and Miss Raines won the rej spective red tickets, second honours going jto Mesdames Richardson and Ford. Miss j D. Guthrie was the most successful prize- ! taker in the baking classes. The other successful prize-takers were: Mrs Sharpe, Mrs Jas. Horan, Mrs Stevenson, Mrs Hayward, Mrs A. Williams, Mrs Richardson, Mrs j M'Dowall, Mrs Duley, and Mrs Todd. Mrs j Hayward got the premier award in the class for smoked ham, and Mrs Richardson , for green ham. For the best display of j home-made goods Mrs Sharpe was awarded the red ticket and Mrs Richardson the blue, j the latter also gaining the certificate for I most points in produce classes.