THE ROYAL SHOW

Southland Times, Issue 19394, 7 November 1924, Page 5

THE ROYAL SHOW

CONCLUDING DAY A RECORD ATTENDANCE COMMENTS BY THE JUDGES. (Special Reporter.) PALMERSTON N., November 6. The continuance of fine weather attracted a record crowd for the concluding day of the Royal Show, the crowd being estimated at between 20,000 and 25,000. The grand parade, in the afternoon provided a brilliant display of livestock, and visitors from all parts expressed the opinion that it formed one of the finest displays ever seen in the Dominion, while the judges of the livestock commented favourably on the exhibits. WELCOME TO THE JUDGES. At a meeting of the Committee of the Royal Society this morning, held to welcome the judges from Australia, Mr Perry (the President), urged the desirability of Australian judges visiting the Dominion to judge stock and illustrate the points, good and bad. Mr A. J. Tanner, of Sydney, the judge of the Shorthorns, in returning thanks, said he had never seen a country so green, and the way the country was packed with sheep was wonderful. The Show was wonderful for sheep and cattle. The Shorthorns were, good, but he would not say they would win at Sydney or Melbourne. He regretted that there was not a greater exchange of stock between the Dominion and the Commonwealth. He suggested larger rings for judging, and to enable the judge to see the animals better. The Aberdeen-Angus exhibits were the best he had seen in the Southern Hemisphere. Messrs M. Fairiees (Sydney) and Hoskin (Queensland) who judged the Jerseys and Friesians respectively, also spoke. SHEEP SECTIONS. In the sheep section, Merinos were sparsely represented, and not a good lot as a whole, forming a very disappointing class One or two entries showed good quality, the animals from the south being infinitely better than those of the north, but generally the merinos were poor. “One of the poorest shows of Merinos I have seen,” was the judge’s comment. Some very fine animals, typical of the breed, were found in the Ryeland section, some good mutton sheep being on show. Attention to conformation and size were evident, most of them with very even fleeces. The champion ram and ewe were outstanding in their class, and the animals generally were quite up to standard. The judge of the section remarked that a few years ago he thought the Ryelands were going back. However, not only was the standard being maintained, but Home imported sheep were lost beside them.

Corriedale sheep were well represented by some prominent breeders, and as a whole were quite good. There was a lot of splendid wool, and much quality about the head was displayed. The champion, ram was an exceptionally good sheep, but could be stronger about the head. Altogether the Corriedales were a very creditable lot, the South Island carrying away most of the honours, said the judge. The champion and reserve champion rams in the Lincoln section were outstanding sheep, with plenty of character, and carrying nice fleeces. The ewes were also quite good, the champion hogget being exceptionally fine, and the reserve hogget a worthy runner-up. The wool right through the class was of good quality. The Lincoln breed is going to have its day shortly, because its wool is much sought after, remarked the judge. The judge of English and Border Leicesters had seen a better display than that before him, he said, but nevertheless the animals were a very good lot. Competition was not strong, but the ewe hoggets were true to type and well covered. Although possessing faults, the English Leicesters were of good quality, and generally a satisfactory lot. COMMENTS ON THE CATTLE. There were some fine individual beasts in all sections of Milking Shorthorns, there being two distinct good quality types in the English and Australian breeds. Although the display of Jerseys was very pleasing from a numerical point of view, the quality of the animals did not please the judge, Mr M. Fairlees, of Sydney, who said that they should have been better as a whole. He had expected a greater range of quality, and was disappointed at the apparent lack of type. The trouble was that breeders were losing sight of type in an endeavour to secure high production, which he considered a great mistake. The cow classes were fairly good, and the champion was a particularly fine specimen. The Jerseys were not quite so good as those exhibited in New South Wales, although there were more of the breed in the Dominion than in New South Wales, but they were not brought out for the show ring. The judge of the Friesian cattle, Mr S. H. Hosking, of Queensland, stated that he expected this class to be good, and was not disappointed. The animals in this class were a fine lot with good competition, although the females were better in quality than the bulls. The champion and reserve champion bulls were exceptionally fine beasts, although some of the classes showed a tail. The Ayrshire stock was generally of good quality, and the judge was pleased with them. In this section also the female was stronger than the male, the champion and reserve champion cows being very fine and calling for very careful consideration. The two-year-olds and yearling heifers displayed quality, but the reserve champion bull showed age and filling in behind the shoulders. Well-filled classes and a high standard of quality were to be seen in the AberdeenAngus section, and in the opinion of the judge there could be no better show in New Zealand in this class of cattle, buth numerically and in point of quality. The champion bull was a very typical animal of the breed, strong, level, and straight in the back, full-fleshed, and with well-developed quarters. The three-year-olds were a good lot, and the two-year-olds provided good competition, there being a ring of eight, and not a bad one in the lot. The Red Poll classes showed some good animals, the judge of the section commenting on the importance of colour, good development and evenness throughout. The failing in too many cows was a sloping rump, and mar.y of the younger stock were inclined to run to leg. The champion was very good in that respect, and this was much to be desired, as in a perfect udder the aim should be to have an even balance of the forequarters. The fashionable udder with small teats to be found in other breeds was to be avoided. • LECTURE ON RED POLLS. This morning, Lieutenant-Colonel Goddy, judge of the Red Polls, addressed the Boy Scouts on the breed, explaining the various points showing quality. He said the Polls were both good milkers and beef producers, with a capacity of 10,00(Mbe in nine or ten months. In Australia that was proved by a test. The Jerseys gave from 5 to 6 per cent of fat, the Polls from 4| to 4f, and the Ayrshires and other dairy breeds about 3|. Polls cows would calve and milk regularly up to 25 years of age. SPECIAL CLASSES. The Wilbur Remembrance Trophy for the best Friesian group, consisting of bull over two years, aged cow, three-year-old heifer and two-year-old heifer, was won by the Central Development farm’s (Weraroa) Paul Colantha, Jessie Beets, Pauline Lassie, Domino Fobes Beets, with John Court’s Ltd. (Auckland) Julip Mercedes of Hawkbridge, Spring Brook Belle of Westport, Nettie Ollie—Korndyke de Koi, and Ormsby Hartog Queen. Five groups entered. Ten animals were paraded before five judges for the Alfa Laval Cup, which is awarded for the best dairy cow of any breed judged on dairy points. The winner was the Ayrshire cow Maesqwyn Princess, ,owned by T. H. Colpman Ohau and S. R.

Lancaster’s (Palmerston North) Jersey Lady of the Glen was second, and the Friesian Fayne Segis Galatea, owned by the Mangatoki breeder, Mr T. Jerry was placed third. DOG SECTION. The special hound classes (harrier} for the New Zealand Hunt Club’s Association Challenge Cup resulted:— Dog: Manawatu Hunt Club’s Leader 1, Pakuranga Hunt Club’s (Auckland) Truant 2; bitch: Pakearanga Hunt Hub’s Telltale. Rose Bowl for the Best Dog in the Show: G. W. Ingram’s (Auckland) smooth fox terrier Cluny Celeo. FLEECE. WOODS. Hughes, Williams and Co.’s (London) Cup, for 3 fleeces, Romney Marsh: M. Voss and Sons (Longburn). The Rill Cup for best breed Romney fleece: W. Perry and Son (Masterton). JUMPING. Open Hunters’ Competition (Royal); Miss L Rutherford’s (Alfredton), Kitty Machree 1, Miss F. Laird’s (Hunterville) Hailstorm 2, Miss H. Mead’s (Bulls) Two Step 3. Bending Competition: G•. BL Morris (Marton Junction) 1, V. Hayward (Takapau) 2. Lady rider over jumps: Miss G. Maher (Hastings) 1, Miss I. Southey Baker (Palmerston North) 2, Miss C. Bryce (Kiwitea) 3, Miss Grace MacDonald (Levin), very highly commended. Open Dual Jumping: L. EL Collinson’s (Palmerston North) Birkerose and Potluck 1, T. W. William's (Mataroa) Kowhai and another 2, Miss 1 Rutherford’s (Alfredton) Kitty Machree and another 3. Hunteis’ Competition (lady riders): Miss A. Kelso’s (Hamilton) Patch 1, Mr Taylor’s (Palmerston North) Taihoa 2, Miss G. Maher’s (Hastings) Sturdee 3, Miss F. Laird’s (Hunterville) Hailstorm, very highly commended.