SOUTHLAND SHOW

Southland Times, Issue 21263, 9 December 1930, Page 6

SOUTHLAND SHOW

COMMENCING TO-DAY JUDGING OF SHEEP AND CATTLE * PROSPECTS OF GOOD DISPLAY With good entries and every indication of good weather conditions, the prospects for the Southland Metropolitan Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s sixty-fourth annual show which will commence to-day are very bright. The display of stock should be very good and the exhibition is expected to be of a uniform high standard and generally well balanced. After the Royal Show held in Invercargill last year it was expected that this year’s Southland Show would be email in comparison, but the entries are not very much lower than they were for the Royal ami although outside competition will not be so strong, the competition from the provincial studs will be very keen, and it should be remembered that a large percent.age of last year's Royal champions was found among the local stock. A general improvement in the purebred stock in Southland has been noted each year, and it is now very doubtful whether any other province in the South Island can boast a more representative collection of show stock of high quality than Southland. With the adoption of sound breeding methods and superior farming practices, the farmers of the province have readied a HigH state of excellence, and the annual metropolitan show serves to emphasize this more than anything else. Judging of the sheep and cattle section will, occupy the greater part of to-day, and although it is not expected that the attendance will be large, there should be a fairly strong following of the various breeds present to follow the breeding. If one wishes to form an accurate idea of the strength of a show, particularly in the cattle sections, it is necessary to follow the judging at the rings and observe each class as it is paraded. Too few [>eople are prepared to do this, with the result that the cattle exhibited are not seen by the great majority of patrons to the best advantage. The sheep entries are large and representative of all the breeds which are popular in Southland. The competition will come mainly from the breeders resident in the province, but several of the morequoniinent breeders from the Canterbury and Otago Shows have included their stock in the catalogue. Some of these sheep will enter the pens backed by championships gained at metropolitan fixtures in the north, but it is safe to suggest that they will meet keen competition from the provincial studs. The cattle entries are very large and the display' of the popular dairy breeds, in particular, should be one of the best of late years, not excepting last year's Royal. The Ayrshire, Friesian and Jersey herds of Southland include some of the finest stock in the South Island, if not in the whole of New Zealand, and they can be expected to be paraded in excellent show ring condition to compete with a number of northern prize-winning stock. The beef breeds will also be fairly well represented. A feature of the Southland Show of late years has been the increase in numbers and apparent popularity of the Shorthorn and Red Poll breeds, two dual purpose breeds which have certain very definite advantages and which appear to do very well in the Southland climate.

The entry of horses, which will be judged on Wednesday, is a very large one, and should live quite up to Southland's reputation as one of the best districts in New Zealand for horses of all breeds, but more particularly Clydesdales. Competition will be very keen and, as usual, the judging in the main enclosure, will be followed with a great deal of interest. Times of depression do not appear to affect the carnival atmosphere of metropolitan shows and there in a great deal more al Southland’s annual event than stock alone to attract the crowds. Industrial displays numerous and will attract a great deal o. interest, but there, is also a galaxy of sideshows of all descriptions to delight the heart.-, of young and old. Weird and wonderful exhibits arc located on the grounds and these attractions will probably do very good business, although the farmers are depress&d by the low prices ruling for I heir nroducts. The grounds are in perfect order and should look a picture during the show. THIS EVENING'S FARE BUCKJUMPING AND HIGH SCHOOL DISPLAYS. Everything is now ready for the evening attractions in connection with the Summer Show anil, given fine weather, the programmes should prove a great source of entertainment. A very full bill of fare is promised and the entertainments will include pony trots, calf riding (for boys), gymnastic displays and items by' the Southland Boys’ High School choir of 200 voices. The thrill for to-night will undoubtedly be the buckjumping- contest. Several well known sportsmen throughout the dis- • trict have arranged for some real outlaws for the great event. In this connection, Mr J. McArthur arrives Ibis morning with a truck load from the Te Anau district. Mr McArthur is one of the finest rough riders in the province and car. be relied upon to give an outstanding display. The boys wdl also be provided for in ' novel calf-riding exhibitions. Ten well conditioned yearlings have been secured froui Mr Ladbrook, and as they have nor been previously ridden or ‘'broken,’' much amusing and exciting sport should l>e witnessed. Trophies will be presented to the boys putting up the best show. To-morrow evening, the thrill of thrills will be staged when the great wild steer riding contest takes place. Sixteen specially selected steers from Mr R. Bradley’s station, Mangapiri, have been topping off at the Borstal farm for the last few weeks and thev should be in prime condition for this great event. The society has benefited from last year’s experience in that these animals can be guaranteed to bring the crowd to their feet. As Mr Alex Sutherland is in charge of the evening arrangements, the public can rest assured that the different items on the programmes will be despatched up to time. The admission charges are very reasonable and generous patronage is anticipated. SHEEP .DOG TRIALS SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. The sheep-dog trials held in conjunction with the Summer Show were held on Rugby Park yesterday. The sweepstake attracted 14 entries and some good work was witnessed. The judge was Mr T. Prendergast, Mr George Kidd, secretary, and Mr John Scott supervisor and time-keeper. The course consisted of heading, pulling the sheep to the ring, taking them through a lane and across and yarding. Points were allotted as follows:—Heading 10, pulling 8, holding in ring 4, care 4, lune 4, cross 6, driving 9, command 9, yarding 4. Results Were as follows: —

W. E. Hazlett’s Ulen was workea oy u. Watson. Also competed: J. Waddell's Bob 37, G. P. Johnstone’s Rock 28, E. McLeod’s Nellie 27, J. Waddell's Wyllie 30, G. P. Johnstone's Nell 36, I. Tilson’s Yank 34, I. Tilson’s Moss 23, J. R. Anderson’s Fan 19. Don cast to the right and headed in 26sec; lifted fair and pulled slightly off the line; turned tail three times at the fence; brought the sheep to the ring in 3min

55sec; showed good ring work and finished in smin 30sec; brought the sheep through in Sniin 26sec; showed good work at the lane and brought the sheep through the cross in 13min ssees; showed good work at the cross and finished the course in 14min 32sec. Trim east to the left and headed nicely in 29 secs; lifted quietly and pulled in good line to the ring in 4niin 20sec; finished in smin 30sec; work in the lane was good; made a good cross in llmin and a good yard finishing the course in 12min 10 sec. Scot cast to the right and headed in 27sec; lifted quietly and pulled in a fair line to the ring in 4min; showed good ring work and brought the sheep through the lane and with good work at. the cross and yard completed the course in llmin 28soe , ■ •

11 ,P R.L .C.D.C.Y. Tl. W. Anderson's Don 10 7 4 4 0 8 8 4 51 J. Queale’s Trim .. 9 7 3 4 5 8 9 4 4!) R. Anderson’s Scot 9 7 3 4 5 8 8 4 48 IX Watson’s Gyp .. 10 7 3 3 a t 8 4 47 J. R. Anderson’s Maid 8 0 3 3 6 7 7 4 44 W. E. Hazlett’s Glen 9 7 3 3 5 7 0 41