Annual Show.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 36, 11 December 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

Annual Show.

Next week the thirty-first annual exhibition of the Southland Metropolitan A. and P. Association will take place in Queen’s Park. This fixture is always anticipated with pleasure by the country people, some of whom come into town at no other time of the year. They expect to meet old acquaintances, to have an opportunity of comparing the various breeds of sheep, cattle, horses, etc., and genei-ally to get a good object lesson in everything connected with agricultural and pastoral matters. That their expectations are fully realised at the Southland Metropolitan Show is proved by the yearly increasing interest taken by the farming community in the proceedings of the Association, and the large attendances at the show of late years. Beautiful weather —a potent facto ?in farming operations at show time—favoured the occasion last year, and over 8,000 visited the grounds on the “ people’s day.” The protracted spell of wet weather lately experienced should be pretty wed at an end this week, and as entries have been coming- forward well there is every prospect that the 1897 show will establish a record. The improvements made last year — such «s the housing of the cattle, etc. were very much appreciated, and are such as to afford protection against either sun or storm.

A Horse Measuring Stand

will be used this year and will save any uncertainty as to the classes in which the animals should be shown. The Judges in the various classes are as follows : Draughts—Mr'John Donaldson. Oamaru. Thoroughbreds—Mr D. Corson, Dunedin. Boadsters —Mr MeGhie, Dunedin. Jumping—Messrs Corson and McGhie. Shorthorn. Hereford, and Polled Angus— Mr G M. Bell, Wantwood. Ayrshires—Mr Jas. Drinnan, Milton. Crossbred Catt.e —Messrs G. M Bell and. Jas. Drinnan. Fat Cattle and Fat Sheep —Mr Charles Blackwood, Dunedin J incolns —Mr Donald McGregor, Wendon. Leicesters —Mr Thos. Little, Xgapar-i. Bomneys and Downs —Mr A. K Wallis, Woodstock. Clnviots and Crossbreds — Mr Quentin Mitchell, Lochiel Freezerr —Mr T Maltby, Waikiwi. Sheep Dogs—Mr T. Little, Ngapara. Pigs—Mr W. Hopcroft, Gummies Bu-h. Dairy Produce —Mr A. McFarlane, Dunedin. The implement and miscellaneous section is always an interesting feature, and the description of some of the exhibits may prove interesting. TOTHILL, WATSON & CO.

are preparing for a magnificent display on behalf of Sutton and Sons, seedmen, Duncan’s, and Andrews and Heaven's’ implements. P. and D. Duncan show a number of their latest implements, which comprise almost e" r ery conceivable machine required about a farm. Sutton’s seeds, P. andD Duncan's, and Andrew and Heaven’s implements are household wo'-ds,- and Tothill, Watson and Co.’s stand should be visited by every firmer on the show grounds. The Marshall Engines, for’which they are agents, will be represented by one of those ste im \ monarchs under full steam.

EE ED and G-EAY, who are in evidence at almost every show in the South Island are, in a sense, going to make things hum, as they intend to have one of Clayton and Shu ttleworth’s threshing machines working. They are agents for these mills and also for Burrell’s traction engines, one of which will he at work on the ground. In addition to a select assortment of their own make of farming implements Ploughs,

Harrows, drills, etc. the Deering Harvesters will have a place on thenstand. The “ Pony ” and ‘‘ Improved Steel ” are the two classes of these binders, which were the first shown here with roller and hall bearings. Since their introduction to the Colony farmers have found out the g-reat advantage, and saving to the horses, that is effecte 1 by the smoothly running bearinys. Mr Gray (from Dunedin) will be in attendance and gladly explain the improvements to visito 1 s.

MOEEOW, BASSETT, AND 00., (for whom the H. M. and A. Co., are the local agents) are laying themselves out for an extensive display of machinery and farming implements. The mechanical construction of the M’Cormick reapers and binders, for which the firm ar e agents, has been so often referred to, and is now so well known, that it is needless here

to refer to it beyond ssying that each season some little improvement is effected and the machine rendered as near perfection in every detail as it is possible to get a harvester. This year a new fluted roller tension has been added; the machines can be fitted with Bassett and Mawson’s improved patent rotary divider for working more easily in tangled grain ; the position of the finger-bar has been altered to suit light and short crops,

and there is a new pole, made of Virginia long-leaf yellow pine, which will stand a strain of 18181 b. Among them will be the latest improved right-hand open elevator machine, for which special advantages are claimed in certain kinds of crops. Their entry also includes Bonnets’ lever harrows, Ajax cultivators, and last but not least SapwelTs Combined Daisy Drill Plough, and manure and turnip seed sower, with which, it is claimed, two ordinary horses and one man can sow eight acres in a day, whereas in the old way it takes three men and five horses to do the same work. This firm are also bringing down a large number of bicycles of the S'erfing and Newhaven make, for which Messrs God ward and McKenzie are the local agents. The makers- of the Sterling say it is “built like a watch,” and no doubt these machines are beautifully con-

structed in every detail. They have stood some very severe tests, and although as light as any machine, have come out unscathed. The Newhaven is also a machine built to last, and like the Sterling, is elegantly finished.

MR E. ¥. JONES And the Austral Company’s Eiffel Tower Bicycle.

This giant bicycle, which create 1 such a sensation in Christchurch during the Carnival week, will he one o£ the attractions in Invercargill during the Show week. Mr Jones’ riding of the monstrosity right through the dense tram, vehicular, and pedestrian traffic, characteristic of the principal Chr'stchurch streets during the Show week, won for ■hint-the applause of all observers, and justly so, for to ride at such an elevation on a one track machine, and through the narrow crowded streets must require considerable nerve, not to say a mastery of the art of balancing Our illustration shows the g’iant bicycle, with Mr K. W. Jones mounted thereon. With his well-known enterprise he has arranged to show it in Invercargil I. We need hardly remind our leaders that Mr Jones is a trained expeit ot‘ long experience, and by far the oldest hand in the business in this part of the Colony. His reputation as a tin'roughly competent and trustworthy mechanieal engineer is a household word in Southland. That it is serving him in good stead is fully proved by his x-apidly increasing trade. He has recently been compelled to double the size of his premises, and even now is at times pushed for room. He is agent for Swift and Red Bird Cycles,

and his trade in both continues to be very large, notwithstanding’ that so many other makes are in the market. A'.'r Jones wellknown aversion for a shoddy article has had the effect of seeming for him the confidence of the public, which, to use his own words, is of more value to him than all the gold in the “ Morning’ Star.” WEIGHT, STEPHENSON & 00. will take a more prominent part this year than previously in exhibiting at the show. Their specialty is the Bonnie Binder, for which they are agents in this Island, built by the Johnston Harvester Company, of Batavia, New York. Although this will be its first appearance here, it is an old favourite, and has proved victorious in some very severe contests in different parts of the world. The Otago Daily Times, in commenting upon it at the Dunedin Show, says —“ It is the latest and most up-

to-date machine in the market and built like a bike. It is light and strong, and possesses all the latest improvements that mechanical ingenuity and engineering skill could devise. It is, infact, conspicuous,bythe completeness of its design combining both lightness and strength. Continuing, the report says — ‘ The Bonnie Binder, which has roller hearings, has an extremely low elevation off the ground, and consequently needs very little driving power, while an adjustment acts to throw the sheaves when at a uniform size. To prevent slipping, when working on hill sides steel lugs are fitted to the wheel, and another important feature is that the highest or heaviest cr>p can be handled by the machine with equal facility. Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co.’s exhibits in the tent will comprise manures, seeds, and samples <>f the Highland Dip. Clips from sheep dipped with this dip realised the highest prices at the Dunedin wool sales last season, the prices running as high as BJd per lb. (

J. and J. IRVING, who are now the proprietors of the Kennington Cutlery Work-), intend to maintain the reputation already earned for all classes of edge tools made at their works. In addition to a capital collection of slashers, butchers’ knives, etc., they intend exhibiting specimens of chopper’s axes, and a large guillotine knife recently made by them, and which attracte 1 considerable attention in Christchurch. This class of knife bas, in the past, always been imported, and should be well worthy of inspection. THE NATIONAL MORTGAGE and AGENCY CO. also show on their own account a collection of Manures and Bonedust, and drums of the well - known “ Crescent ” Sheep Dip, which, judging from the numerous testimonials received, is giving great satisfaction. MASSET-HARRIS, CO., LTD. The show of Harvesters and other agricultural implements made each year by this company indie ites the confidence they have in their implements meeting- with the approval of farmers. Next week they wi II h ave fifteen reapers and binders on the ground all fitted with roller and ball bearings. Amongst the new machines, one with platform and wheel will show the roller and ball bearings.

The efficiency gained by the introduction of the new bearings makes it a matter of surprise that they have not been introduced long ago. This firm are putting- them now in all their binders and mowers. They have made arrangements with Mr Clark, of Byal Bush, to give them power from his traction engine to

show five machines in motion. Specimens of their double and three furrow ploughs, which are now made on colonial pattern, will be on the ground.-’ Like many other leading implement manufacturers the Massey - Harris Co. have entered into the bicycle trade, and mean to let people see what their machines are. Every

day they can be seen spinning over the streets in town, but in, order, that the latest improvements may be shown and explained twenty bicycles, ladies’ and gents’, of the 1897-98 pattern, will be on the show ground. W. H. MATfIXESOH intends this year to make a special display, and in the most spacious tent on the ground will show what can be turned out at his factory. A cordial invitation is given to all his country friends to inspect these specimens of first-class workmanship. It- may be< mentioned that at the Milton and Balclutha shows last week he awarded five first prizes, his buggy beating one from Dunedin, while his gig, which also obtained two firsts, was very much admired and readily found a purchaser. This makes 80 first prizes secured by Mr Mathieson. JOHN BATH, who has not- missed exhibiting at the Invercargill Bhow for the last fifteen years, intends making a record this year, notwithstanding that his staff have been busy on order work for months past—in fact, as Mr Bath says, his hands have had as much as they could ,do since last show. His entry will comprise twelve finished vehicles and several in the rough to show the material and workmanship. Phaffons, buggies, dog carts, gigs, including a hooded doctor’s gig, and a pony cart, will be shown, besides an assortment of carriage furnishings. WHEN’S PHAM SHAKE, although a small thing, may be the means of saving the lives of some of our biggest and best men. It is a simple adjustment that can be put on to any perambulator,.and which will prevent it from running away, or being- blown away, as is often the case, while unattended. Visitors to the show will be able to see the brake attached to a pram, and cannot fail to be impressed with its effectiveness. DELAYED TRAINS will leave Invercargill on Wednesday, 15th inst., as follows :• — Bluff Line ... ... 5.20 p.ra. Clinton Line ... ... 5.50. p.m. Orepuki and Hightcaps ... ... 6.55 p.m. Lumsden Line ... 6.10 p.m. Gorge Road ... ... 6.30 p.m.