ROYAL SHOW

Southland Times, Issue 19395, 8 November 1924, Page 5

ROYAL SHOW

SOUTHLANDERS 5 IMPRESSIONS GOOD ALL ROUND DISPLAY LOCAL STOCK SPLENIHDLY SHOWN. “A very good Show,” said Mr James King, President of the Southland A. A P. Association, when asked his opinion of the Royal Show recently held at Palmemon North, from which he returned on Thursday evening. “The display of Romney Marsh sheep,” he said, “was the feature of the sheep section, and it was pleasing to note that South Island breeders held their own with the best of the North Island.” He went on to say that Palmerston was the centre of a great Romney district, and some splendid animals were shown. The competition was very keen, but in spite of this Mr J. Greig, of Longbeach, held his own in the ewe hogget classes and came out with some of the premier honours. A good performance against such hot competition. SOUTHLAND TO THE FORE. “Southland swept the board in the Border Leicester section,” Mr King added, “and the North Island breeders had no show against Messrs R. J. Anderson and G. P. Johnston.” He added, the splendid facilities granted by the railways and the shipping companies helped the Southland competitors to land their sheep in good condition, and within 33 houra of the stock being put on the truck in Southland it was landed at the Palmerston North Show Ground. It was this that helped the Southland breeders to land their sheep in good condition, and the arrangements made worked without a hitch. Transit would always be a big problem in connection with a Royal Show in New Zealand, but if the same facilities are available for future Shows breeders will have no hesitation in sending their stock forward for competition. Returning to the Southland sheep, he said their success would serve to keep Southland in the foreground, and Messrs Anderson and Johnston were to be commended upon their enterprise in sending their stock such a long distance. Competition was not so keen in the other sheep classes, but there were some fine Lincoln sheep exhibited. THE CATTLE CLASSES. There was, continued Mr King, good competition in the cattle classes, and the Herefords showed an improvement on those paraded at the Palmerston Show of last year. The Jersey section was a strong one, and the animals all of good quality. There was a good show of Ayrshires also, in fact the dairy cattle section was of great merit right through. “The Clydesdales were not numerous,” said Mr King in commenting upon this class, “but the animals shown were of good quality. I was pleased to see both championships come to the South Island, aa it is the home of the Clydesdale in New Zealand. The outstanding exhibit in this section was the champion mare ‘Yet Merrymaid,' owned by Mr H. E. Cook. This mare was imported into the Dominion by Mr J. Patrick, the well-known breeder, and afterwards sold to Mr Cook. In this section, also, the South Island was able to more than hold its own with the best stock the North Island could produce. The light horses were a good lot, but I did not have time to examine them as closely as I wanted, and in consequence cannot give a definite opinion upon their merits. A SEPARATE JUDGE FOR EACH BREED. Commenting on the management, Mr King said it was good except for a few minor details that could hardly be avoided in running such a Show for the first time. There was one serious drawback, however, and that was the small size of the rings. This did not give the animals or the judges a fair chance, and the Manawatu Association should make these bigger in future. There was plenty of ground available to enlarge them, and if this were done it would be better for both judges and competitors. “Providing the Charter allows it,” continued Mr King, “I am of the opinion that there should be a separate judge for every breed at the Royal Show. Some enthusiasts were talking of a Royal Show for each island, but if we are going to make a success of the Royal Show we will have to stick to the present arrangement which includes both islands. It would never do at present to have a separate Royal Show for both islands, as it would simply mean that, sooner or later, it would revert to the present Metropolitan Show standard. The great thing for Southland breeders to remember is to support the next Royal Show in large numbers, and we should do all we can to send as much stock as possible forward to it. If we do not support the Royal Show when it is held in this island we cannot expect to get a Royal Show in Southland.”