Gisborne Poultry Society

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7063, 24 August 1894, Page 2

Gisborne Poultry Society

INAUGURAL SHOW. For some time past there hu been an opinion expressed by poultry fanciers m the district that the formation of a society, having for its object the breeding of poultry, pigeons and canaries, would tend to encourage the growth of special classes of birds, and lead to the introduction of more valuable specimens. The eire aod attention necessary to be observed m rearing poultry intended for exhibition would prrforoe necessitate a closer study of the habits of birds, if reasonable hopes of securing prizes were to be entertained. Tne knowledge that an annual exhibition will be tuld should induce a larger number of people to take pains with their poultry, and to more carefully observe the characteristics of the numerous varieties of birds which are obtainable. The prevailing idea, which is very widespread, is that m order to have a supply of poultry and eggs, it is only necessary to knock up a henhouse, procure half-a-dozen henn and a rooster, and success is bound to follow. The question of suitability of breed has not received very much attention— nor has the mating ot the birds — and thus it has come about that even the most casual observer cannot fail to notioe that m the poultry yards the birds are of all varieties, having been crossed with the most indescribable and unlikely specimen*, from which have been produced hens and /roosters which are by no means symmetrical /in build nor do they command satisfactory A>ric«s m the market. Now that the Gisbornf Poultry, Pigeon and Cage-bird Society has (become aa actual fact, however, we may confidently expect a great improvement, for experience will prove to country people, and ' those of oar townsmen who keep fowls, *kat the proper method of treatment as > regards mating, boosing and feeding is well ' worthy of consideration, m care, attention aid study will ensure more satisfactory reAlts to poultry owners. \ The show, which was opened fey his Worship the Mayor m the City Rink this afternoon, was a most successful one. There were upwards of 450 birds of all classes exhibited, and their quality wan quite equal to that which is to be seen at any metropolitan show m the colony. Not only were exhibits sent m from the principal poultry fanciers m and around Gisbornt, but birds were sent for exhibition from Auckland and other places. They were placed m wire pens, which were arranged on tables placed at a convenient height from th«s floor, each pen being 30 inches high by 24 incites wide, whilst special pens for geese and turkeys were alto constructed. The pigeons and canaries were provided for on the stage. The committee worked very hard m com* pleting the arrangement*, so as to make the show thoroughly successful, and Messrs Fawcett, Gault, Cnlliford, Flower, Hennessy, and the indefatigable secretary, Mr C. F. Lewis, deserve groat pniise for their untiring exertions. A large aroonnt of work had to be done m order to secure a sneoew ful exhibition, and it must be gratifying to the gentlemen who worked so hard tb»t their labors were attended with most excel* lent results. The following gentlemen from Auckland were the judges —Mr Todd undertook all classes except Asiatics and water fowl, which Measrs Hay wood and Bouskill kindly consented to judge, while Mr Walker took canaries and cam birds. Indeed, considering that the season for poultry shows is over, and the time rather too late for a sneconssful exhibi* tion, the number of entries is all the more a subject for congratulation. Tba Is tineas of the hour when the show was opened pre* dudes a full report of the entries and price winners this evening, but complete partial* lars will appear m to-morrow's issue. His Worship the Mayor (Mr Towoley) m opening the show said :— Ladies and gentleman, 1 have been requested to say a few words on the present occasion. I may say that this is the first poultry show that has been held m Poverty Bay, and the number of splendid birds exhibited should be a source of pleasure to the committee, who axe to be congratulated upon the success of the first exhibition. The committee deserved the success so far achieved, aod I hope that the public will come forward aod support them. Included m the exhibits are some of the finest specimens of poultry to be found m New Zealand, which have been brought here for exhibition by people living at a great distance away from us. I hope the farmers will attend, as they will have an opportunity of witnessing a very varied exhibition. I hope that the next Show held under the auspices of the Poultry Society will be even more successful than the present one. I have great pleasure m declaring the Show now open.