SHOW CHAT

Southland Times, Issue 17938, 18 May 1917, Page 3

SHOW CHAT

ROUT’D THE TABLES. In the prize-list which appeared on Wednesday, in the fat sheep classes, pen of three 2-tooth • wethers or 2-tooth maiden ewes, Mr Wm. Kennedy was made to appear that he had won the first, second and third prizes. The correct result was; D. C. McPhedran (Kelso) first and second, and Mr Wm. Kennedy (Bayswatcr) third. Mr A. S. Malcolm. M.P.. was an interested spectator at the Show on M edr.esday. and he intimated that he will remain here until Friday morning. In the course of a short conversation with a Southland Times reporter, Air Malcolm said that he was greatly impressed with everything he had seen at the show, which was only one ot the very many indications that were apparent of the potehtialitios of Southland. the greatest agricultural district In New Zealand. He had always said that, and ho was more inclined than' ever to give expression to such an opinion since his visit, with other parliamentarians. to districts in the North Island, lie disagreed with the policy of the Railway Department in not issuing excursion tickets to Invercargill during tho time the‘show was being held. In regard to the curtailment of the train services, he thought the Government had sufficient reason to instal it, but the curtailment of excursion fares was inexcusable. Shows were educative, said Mr Malcolm, and every encouragement should be given to them. The social aspect, too, ought to be considered. because it was only now and again that farmers met together and campared notes. The Winter Show gave the people a great opportunity of associating in the manner he hafl indicated, and in that respect the profits to the country would be incalculable, because of the fact that they could compare notes and know exactly how experiments they had made were proceeding. On no account, said Mr Malcolm, should the holding of shows be given up.

On© of the most interesting men on© can meet In so far as the dairy ing industry is concerned is Mr John Sawers, the manager of the Edendal© Dairy Factory. Mr Sawers was the first Dairy Commissioner in New Zealand, and, as he says himself, he was bom "with his head in a bucket.” Commenting on the season which Sohthland has experienced during the past year, Mr Sawers said that he had never before seen anything like it. It was an extraordinary season. He mentioned that at the present time the Edendale factory was receiving 3000 gallons per day, which was fully 500 gallons per day better than was the intake at this time last year. So far as he knew the intakes at the Brydone and Menzies Ferry factories were equally good. The output of cheese, he considered, would this year be at least 50 tons more than the output of the previous year.

Mr F. A. Price was one of those on Wednesday, who could not, without strong persuasion, be persuaded to come away from the fat stock pens. A Southland Times reporter, who caught him so occupied, in the course of a conversation elicited the opinion from Mr Price that he was greatly impressed with the quality of the cattle that were shown. Mr Wm. Swale and Mr Falconer, of the Makarewa freezing works, who were present at the time, agreed that everything Mr Price said in regard to fat stock was justified. Mr Wm, Wills, Junr., then happened along, and he, also made it clear that whatever Mr Price said in regard to fat stock he would stand by. Thereafter the unfortunate reporter was conducted along a lengthy row ,of beasts, and had each of them thoroughly explained to him. The winning heifer in the two-year-old class especially came in for more than ordinary laudations, Mr Price expressing the opinion that nothing like this extraordinarily fat beast had ever before been exhibited In Southland. So, throughout, Mr Price expatiated on the great display of fats, and untiringly he pointed out that the winners were Shorthorn, or they had the Shorthorn strain. Said Mr Price, when an animal which has to combine milking and beef qualities, commend me to the Shorthorn. The sporting enthusiast also expressed admiration of the action of the A. & P. Association in making classes for "baby beef,” and also of the sportsmanlike spirit shown by Messrs P. Campbell and Sons, of Wyndham, whose exhibits were a credit to them from every point of view.

“Here endeth the first lesson,” said Mr John McQueen, when leaving Mr R. J. {Anderson, of Kauana, after having a “hot and strong” argument in regard to timothy—not the Biblical character ©f that name, but a grass which is wellknown to all graziers. The queer thing to the man who listened was that both Mr McQueen and Mr Anderson believed In timothy, in fact there was nothing better, according to their account; but It was In regard to methods that they differed, and the listeners were quite satisfied that the disputants should settle that difference ’tween their two selves.’

Mr Jno. McQueen claimed on Wednesday that he was the first man in New Zealand to sow turnips and rape together, »nd since then, he said, every up-to-date farmer had copied his example. To listen to Mr McQueen expatiating on his experiences Is a study that Is most Interesting. He, yesterday. told how wheat could be grown with beans or peas, and explained the difference between cereal and leguminous plants.

The success that has been on all sides acknowledged in regard to the school gardens’ exhibits has set people thinking In the direction as to how far agricultural education may be carried on in primary schools. Experts are required In this connection, and "experts” who do not know one variety of plant from another, as has been discovered during show time, axe not the men to instruct. It is really a triumph for Mr D. L Freeman, the former agricultural instructor for the Southland Education Board, that things had progressed so. far as they have done Mr Freeman, then, whom no better scientific authority ever visited Southland, had a hard row to hoe; bat the fruits of his teaching are now making themselves felt In every part of the province.

Mr John McQueen, managing director the Southland Frozen Meat Co., was a busy man at the Show on Wednesday. He had to answer all sorts of arguments, Including the profit earned in by-products St the Makarewa works, compared with those similarly obtained from northern works, but tlie veteran stood "foursquare to all the winds that blew.”

In a reference made Wednesday to work baskets that were made for the Gift Parcels Fund, credit was given to Mrs G. Meek, whereas the credit Is due to Mrs Robert Meek, an elderly lady, who has been untiring In her work for the soldiers. Mrs C. Basstian, who is in charge of the Gift Parcels Stall, mentioned Wednesday that one of these artistic baskets had been sold for £3, and that overwhelming orders for them were being received.

One of the most successful features Of the Show has been the Gift Parcels tea rooms, over which Mrs E, P. Howard has control. When.approached Wednesday by a Times representative Mrs Howard modestly confessed that in every way things had gone right with her department, and she was looking optimistically for even greater success. “Do you mind furnishing me with the name of the workers who assisted you, Mrs Howard*’ asked the reporter, and the answer, quickly given, was that It would be impossible to enumerate all the ladies who have assisted on this occasion. T would like, however," said Mrs Howard, “if you would mention that the ladies of the W.C.T.U. have given exceptional help.”

Mr G. A. Lamb, secretary of the South Island Dairy Association, was an interested spectator at the show on Wednesday and yesterday. In conversation with a Times representative, Mr Lamb mentioned that 1500 crates of cheese would shortly be shipped from the Bluff, and that there would be still 15,000 cases in the cool store at the Bluff. One thing Mr Lamb mentioned ■which is -worth repeating is that after cheese has been in the cool store for *8 days the factories are entitled to a 90

per cent, advance. Many factories, he said, had not availed themselves of this privilege, and were actually paying interest on overdraft when there was no necessity for them to do so.