BRILLIANT OPENING

Southland Times, Issue 21264, 10 December 1930, Page 13

BRILLIANT OPENING

SIXTY-FOURTH EXHIBITION

CATTLE OUTSTANDING

SHEEP ALSO EXCELLENT

BUSY DAY FOR JUDGES

In brilliant sunshine the sixty-fourth annual Summer Show of the Southland Metropolitan Agricultural and Pastoral Association opened most auspiciously yesterday in the picturesque showgrounds, Invercargill. The excellent entries in all the principal sections were equalled by the superb quality of the stock which were eloquent testimony of the productivity of the province and the high efficiency of Southland .farmers. In spite of an adverse season, the 1930 Show must rank as one of the most. successful ever held by the association, and must serve an important function in advertising this fair part of the Dominion.

IDEAL WEATHER

HIGH STANDARD MAINTAINED, PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY BRIGHT. There were a number of reasons why the Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s 1930 Summer Show might have failed to achieve the signal success of those preceding it. In the first place the present season is one of the worst that has been experienced for many years. Not only have stock suffered severely from lack of feed and lack of sunshine, but the farmers themselves have had the discouragement and anxiety which follow upon a severe decline in prices. Then again the' fact that last year the Royal Show was held at Invercargill might reasonably have caused a lack of interest in the less grandiose Southland show. To all these obstacles the officials of the Association and the exhibitors of Southland have risen superior, with the result that this year’s show well deserves to rank with the magnificent exhibitions of' stock which have graced the ring in previous years. In cattle Southland yields the palm to no other province, a happy state of affairs which yesterday’s splendid array of beasts fully confirmed. The sheep entries were large and representative and the quality of the animals would compare very favourably with those exhibited at other metropolitan shows in the Dominion. The horses will not be judged until to-day, but they should be not - whit inferior to the high standard set in the cattle and sheep sections. The thousands of spectators gathered round the ring this afternoon should behold a Grand Parade well worthy of Southland.

The lighter side of the Show is exceptionally well catered for. It is doubtful if ever before has there been such an aggregation of side-shows and get-rich-quick booths. Giants, dwarfs, wrestlers, boxers, acrobats, mental wonders, physical wonders, enormous pigs, human spiders, men and women who braved death in many horrible forms —these and many more amazing things were to be seen on payment of a modest sixpence or a shilling. There were at least 50 stalls at which by crashing, bashing, hoop-la-ing or throwing darts prizes were to be obtained. The amusement zone should be certainly a scene of animation to-day.

On the east side of the grounds there was a splendid display of farm implements and machinery, and these proved a great attraction. Motor cars were also freely exhibited by the various firms and were subjected to critical inspection. The trade displays were artistically arranged and attracted mweh attention. The attendance was only moderate, but most people prefer to taste the delights of the show on People’s Day and a very large gathering should be seen on the grounds to-day, particularly if the same beautiful weather prevails. A FULL CATALOGUE STRONG CATTLE ENTRY. STOCK IN FULL SHOW BLOOM. It was only necessary to make a casual survey of the sheep pens and the cattle stalls at the commencement of. the judging yesterday morning to realize that the unfavourable spring and early summer:season, experienced-in Southland has had little

effect in dimming the bloom of the stock on exhibition. The wool of the sheep in the natural conditioned classes, perhaps, lacked some of the usual lustre, but in the main the stock were shown in excellent show condition. The cattle, in particular, looked very well and the remarkably well-bred and attractive examples of the popular dairy breeds were sleek and in full show bloom.

Of late years, the cattle section of the Southland Show has developed very large dimensions and a substantial increase has been noted in the number of entries at each successive show. Extraordinary provision for housing the cattle was made for last year’s Royal Show, but even the extra stalls then provided were found totally inadequate to meet the requirements this year and overflow accommodation h'ad to be-provided. All the chief dairying breeds were very well represented with big rings in the majority of the classes. This had the effect of protracting the judging through the greater part of the day, the judges of the Ayrshire, Friesian and Jersey section, in particular, having a very strenuous time. Although the strong entry of cattle was a very striking feature, the display of sheep was quite up. to usual, standard and- the whole, show wae very well balanced. The sheep were in excellent condition, although the wool in some, cases gave some cause for misgiving and the pens were well-filled with sheep of very good quality. Competition from breeders within the province was very keen and several of the more prominent exhibitors from Otago and Canterbury had strong teams forward. The resulting display was highly satisfactory and one that quite equalled any previous Southland Show, including the Royal. A Substantial Display. As usual, the Romney Marsh section was the most prominent among the sheep breeds and attracted considerably over 100 entries, making quite a substantial display of ' its own. This breed, despite the apparent unpopularity of its wool among the Home manufacturers, enjoys remarkable popularity in Southland. The sheep do particularly well in this climate, are strong and hardy and produce a heavy fleece of strong wool, while the breed is very suitable for producing fat lambs. The display was particularly attractive in the housed classes and was perhaps the strongest of the breed that has been forward at a southern show of recent years indicating that the complaints of the woollen manufacturers have had little effect in damaging the popularity of the breed. An examination of the wool of the better quality sheep revealed few grounds for complaint and there appeared to be little or no sign of deterioration to warrant the outbursts that have come from the manufacturers of late. Southland and Otago exhibitors competed strongly and the entries in some of the classes were very numerous, but it is pleasing that the local exhibitors gained a large percentage of the awards. Border Leicesters were another strong section among the sheep and, next to Romney Marsh, could claim to be second in importance. The entries were numerous and the exhibits of very good quality. Competition from outside the province was strong, and the several prominent local breeders were well represented. The popularity of this breed appears, if anything, to be increasing in Southland and a number of breeders have lately shown a tendency to start a stud of Border Beicesters. There was not a great deal of competition in the Corriedale section, the majority of the entries coming from outside the province. This is a breed which does not enjoy a great deal of popularity in Southland and its supporters do not appear to be' very keen to exhibit their sheep to any great extent. Other Breeds. English Leicesters, of which there was also only a email representation, can also be classed in Southland as one of the minor breeds. It is a matter for gratification, however, that these breeds which are not very popular in the district were included in the catalogue to give followers of the more obscure breeds an opportunity to see a fairly representative display of the sheep which, are seldom encountered in . the flocks of local breeders. , There .was. no competition whatever..in Lincolns. This is a breed which appears

to have lost its vogue in Southland of late years, but it was not expected that the section would lapse altogether. Some nice sheep were exhibited in the Ryeland section, the entries being good and the quality of the sheep, on the average, well up to standard. Several northern exhibitors were represented and this helped to swell the competition and made the section a very presentable one. The Shropshires were a good lot, with fairly good entries and good exhibits. As in some of ’the other sections, the sheep were not very attractive in - the wool and shorn sheep appeared to better advantage than those unshorn.

Southdowns, the popular fat lamb producing breed, occupied a prominent place in the sheep section and the exhibits were very good. Competition was very keen in some of - the classes and the sheep were of a uniformly high quality. Some of the lambs exhibited in this section were of outstanding quality and provided undisputable proof that this breed is unequalled for the production of early fat lambs most suitable for the freezing industry. Competition in crossbred sheep was not as strong as might have been expected in view of the large numbers of high-grade crossbred flocks in the province and on this account the display was neither as large nor as good as might have been expected. Some particularly attractive pens were included in the section and the majority of the sheep exhibited were good useful types. One of the sections of outstanding interest and which has developed remarkably of recent years was the fat sheep and lamb section. This is probably one of the most interesting and useful features of the show, particularly in the class in which the sheep are judged on quality in the pens alive and then slaughtered and sent home and judged on carcass merit at Smithfield. The entries in this class were very large and much interest was displayed in the exhibit. In inaugurating this feature, the association has done a very real service to the farmers who engage in the lamb export industry and everything ' possible should be done to foster interest in the class.

The Cattle. As usual, there was very little difference between the number of entries in the three principal cattle sections, Ayrshires, Friesians and Jerseys, and competition was very keen. The dairying herds of Southland include some of the finest purebred stock in the Dominion and it could not be expected that any other show in New Zealand excepting a Royal Show would produce a better display of these cattle. In the Ayrshire section, particular interest was caused through the inclusion in the catalogue of three young bulls recently imported from Canada and now competing at a New Zealand show for practically the first time. Backed by butterfat records almost unequalled in the world, these young bulls can be expected to raise the standard of the herds of which they are destined to become the chief sires and the breed will, no doubt, benefit very considerably from their importation. The bulls in question are remarkably good show types and did very well in the \ring yesterday. Competition throughout the section was very keen and the general standard was quite up to the standard of recent shows and superior, in that the competition was strengthened by the inclusion of the imported stock.

The Friesian breed is one of the most popular in Southland, due to its climatic suitability and high-producing characteristics and the display of Friesians at the Southland Show can usually be expected to be an impressive one. This was again the case and the entries were both numerous and of very high quality. The judge was faced with a very difficult task as the exhibits were of a uniformly high quality and the -rings were very large. In some cases, as many aa 19 entries were paraded in one class and as a large percentage of these animals were particularly attractive, it was difficult to select the prize-winners. The increase in popularity of the Jersey breed in Southland of recent years has been one of the features of the development of dairying on sound lines in Southland. Several particularly good studs have been built up during the last few years and by the importation of very good quality cattle from the North Island and overseas a very high standard has been reached. Yesterday’s display of Jerseys was one of the finest that has ever been seen in a Southland show ring and the future of the breed in the province appears to .be assured as the argument is no longer advanced that this attractive-looking breed cannot succeed in the somewhat rigorous Southland climate. Dual Purpose Breeds. The dual purpose breeds of Shorthorns and Red Polls have also found a good deal of favour in Southland of late years and were well represented yesterday. . In the case of Shorthorns, two distinct strains have been evolved and of these the milking strain predominated, the quality of some of the cattle exhibited being considered equal to any that might be seen in a show ring anywhere in New Zealand. The Red Polls were somewhat disappointing, the chief fault apparently being that they were exhibited out of condition. This was surprising in view of the fact that Red . Polls are considered to be particularly hardy and are expected to do very well in Southland. Some very good dairy cattle were exhibited in the crossbred section, in which there was very . strong competition. The cattle were good useful types and appeared to be high-producing sorts. Aberdeen Angus did not attract any entries at all and the display of Herefords was disappointingly small. Southland, with its several important studs of high-grade Herefords, could be expected to stage one of the best displays in New Zealand. CATTLE SECTION DAIRY BREEDS WELL REPRESENTED. HIGH QUALITY EXHIBITS. Seldom is such a fine collection of cattle seen at any metropolitan fixture as was forward at yesterday’s show. Almost without exception, the judges were enthusiastic with the sections that had come under their notice and declared the exhibit a most creditable one. AYRSHIRES. Strengthened by the inclusion of three young bulls recently, imported from Canada, theAyrshire section more than lived up to ifs reputation of being one of the foremost displays' of the popular Scottish

cattle in New Zealand. Competition was quite as strong and the fact that at least one champion at the Royal Show last year was beaten yesterday is an indication that the standard was quite as high. The presence in the show ring for the first time of the newly imported bulls added a great deal of interest to the section and the judging was following with a great deal of interest. Mr J. Parlane, of Rangiora, was the judge and he was faced with several difficult propositions, but his task, on the whole, was an enjoyable one as he was called on to inspect some of the most outstanding Ayrshire cattle in the Dominion. The mature cow in milk class was again led by Mr A. M. Weir’s champion cow Ivanhoe Rosella, by Thornhill Loyalty (imp.) out of Ivanhoe Nettie, which .has carried off the championship at many South Island shows of recent years and again secured the ribbon. She is a magnificent show cow and was brought out in excellent condition Second prize-winner and reserve champion was Mr Peter Walker’s Maesgwyn Venus, bred by Mr C. Morgan Williams. She is a very attractive cow and posssesses great proportions, an abundance of true Ayrshire character and a good outline. If shown 5n such good condition as Rosella, she would have been expected to come very close to the champion. In the dry cow class, there were five entries, the winner being Mr R. S. Weir’s Allandale Miss Gillies, by Ivanhoe Fashion Plate out of Miss Gillies 3rd, a cow of outstanding merit and in the pink of condition, being just at the drop of calv. ing. Although only a three-year-old, she easily captured, the red ticket and when shown in the three-year-old heifer class was again the winner, although here she was closely followed by the same exhibitor’s Allandale. Trixie 2nd. Either of these-two heifers mi>*ht have been placed first, but the deciding factor was that Miss Gillies had larger teats and was better placed behind. In the two-year-olds, the winner in a ring of five was Mr A. M. Weir’s Ivanhoe Stella, an exceptionally promising heifer although shown in rather low condition and on first appearance she did not catch the eye. On closer examination, she proved to be outstanding on points of quality and is a heifer that should do very well in the future. This class was a particularly good one and the second placed heifer exhibited b" Mr Peter Walker was a very attractive animal. The dry two : year-old heifer class, brought forward a ring of five good heifers, the winner being Mr R. S. Weir’s Allan, dale Laura, but the class was not as in. teresting as the previous one in which the heifers were shown in milk. First, second and third in the senior yearling class —a ring of seven—were a beautiful trio, there being very little between any of them. The winner was Mr J. Henderson’s Osclay Tui, by Osclay Hot Stuff out of Osclay Primrose, which was run very closely by Mr A. M. Weir’s Ivanhoe Kate. The third prize went to the last named exhibitor’s Ivanhoe

Annabelle which might even prove to be a better cow than either of the other two, but which was not shown in full bloom. Some of the exhibits in this class were rather uneven and although it is not believed that any were average, one or two might have been paraded in the two-year-olds without exception being taken, so great was their development. The junior yearling class was one of the strongest in the show and produced some very promising young females, the winner being Mr Henderson’s Osclay Stylish Daisy. The most significant feature about the male section was that Mr A. M. Weir’s almost unchallenged champion bull of the last few years, Bonny Glen Master Roberts, was unseated and the coveted ribbon awarded to the eldest of the three young imported Canadian bulls which was the winner of the senior yearling class. Bonny Glen Master Roberts was exhibited in the mature class in competition with another bull which also showed true Ayrshire character, but Mr Weir’s bull had little difficulty in securing the first award and the reserve championship. A ring of five good bulls were paraded in the two-year-old class —there being no three-year-olds forward—the winner being Mr A. M. Weir’s Ivanhoe Woodvale’s Bonny Roberts, a good clean-cut breedy-looking sort which secured the red ticket by a good margin. The ten entries in the senior yearling class made it one of the strongest classes in the show and on appearances gave promise of the breed’s reputation in the South Island being well maintained. Two exhibits were forward from the Maesgwyn stud, of Kaiapoi, and three from Mr Peter Walker’s stud at Palmerston and a number from representative Southland breeders including Mr A. M. Weir’s imported bull. This bull, Harnelbell Calamity Pride, was the outstanding exhibit in the male section and, shown in great bloom, commanded a great deal of admiration. The class was a very good one and did a great deal of credit to the breed. In the junior yearling class, two imported Canadian bulls were exhibited, the red ticket going to Glen Elm Nellie Osborne’s Hero, a daughter of the world’s champion cow. The second prize-winner also hailed from Canada, being, Mr R. S. Weir’s Harnelbell Crusader, a remarkably well-grown bull although somewhat leggy in appearance and rather flat in the rib, but on the whole a lengthy dairy-like bull with a good outline. In explaining his rather bold action in awarding the championship to a yearling bull, the judge said it must be remembered that Bonny Glen Master Roberts is now commencing on the down grade so far as the showring is concerned. FRIESIANS. Strong entries of very attractive typey cattle possessing some of the finest breeding of cattle in the South Island was a

feature of the exhibits in the Friesian section. It was possibly the largest cattle section in the show and in some of the classes the entries easily exceeded anything in the other breeds, the rings in one class reaching the stupendous number of 19 head. The quality of the stock, too, showed no impairment in comparison with the display at previous Southland shows and many keen followers of the breed who watched the judging closely were prepared to state that it was the finest exhibition of Friesians seen in the province.

The judging opened with a ring of three in the mature cow in milk class all from the Glenstuart stud of Messrs W. Y. Dickie and Sons. All were high-grade cows and the female championship was finally allotted to the wanner, Clover of Avonmore, eight years, by Sir Abbekirk Boy out of Grey Clover. She was a cow showing great quality. The reserve award went to Willowbrook Posch 11th, by Willowburn Quality Major out of Posch de Koi of Oakview. These two cows could be acepted as a credit to the breed showing finest quality and dairy type. Eight cows were paraded in the dry cow class, the winner being Mr J. Brash’s Echo Sylvia Mimosa, by Rosevale Echo Sylvia Sir Colantha out of Bainfield Princess Sylvia Mimosa. Mr Hugh Fraser was second with Bainfield Princess Martha Sylvia, a very attractive and typey cow. In the three-year-old and two-year-old classes, three were forward a number of very attractive cattle and these classes, as did all the others, brought forward some very fine heifers. In the three-year-old class, the winner was Mr Rowland Hill’s Plantation No. 47, the Glenstuart entry Bloomfield Piebe Rhoda, being second. In the two-year-old dry heifer class Glenstuart Alcartra Clover was first with Glenstuart Hazel Dell second, both being exhibited by the breeders. The senior yearling class brought forward 19 entries, all of which were of a high standard. The winner proved to be Mr R. P. Fleck’s Aparima Jewel Princess Sylvia, a very promising heifer that might be said to be almost overdeveloped. The winner was closely followed by .Messrs Dickie’s Plantation Canary and Mr J. Simms’ Tisbury Pearl Posch which were placed second and third. The junior yearling class was smaller, but the quality was uniformly high. The red ticket was carried off by Mr Fleck’s Aparima Countess Korndkye Catrina with Glenstuart Alcartra Lily,’second. Only two mature bulls were forward and they succeeded, in carrying off thetchampionship.and reserve award. The winner was Mr J. Brown’s Forestvale Mimosa de Koi, by Bainfield Prince Mimosa out of Pontiac Burke de Koi’(imp.), a bull showing great character and style. The reserve award went to Messrs Dickie’s Bloomfield Alcartra Clothilde, by Bainfield King Rozine out of Alcartra Clothilde Pietje, a bull showing very good type, but not so much force of | character as the champion. The only entry in three-year-old class was Mr Brown’s. Newark Rag-Apple Pontiac. Of six attractive entries in the two-year-old class, Messrs Christie Brothers gained the first award with Lauderdale Duke with Mr J. Collin’s Plantation Cremona Aurora second. There was a ring of eight in the senior yearling class which was won by Messrs Tait Brothers’ Forestvale Paxton Laddie with Mr Brown’s Newark Dutch Mimosa second. The junior yearling class attracted nine entries, the red ticket going to .Mr J. H. Dunn’s Glenstuart Alcartra Dell, by Bloomfield Alcartra Clothilde (reserve champion) out of Wil-j lowbrook Posch Delhurst. Second prize was taken by the Borstal Farm’s entry Plantation de Koi King Sylvia with Glenstuart Lord Sylvia Pietje third.

JERSEYS. After the prejudice which existed not very many pears ago against the introduction of Jerseys into Southland from climatic reasons, it is very pleasing that the fanciers of the breed in the province are able to stage such an excellent exhibit of their cattle as was brought forward yesterday reinforced, of course, with a certain amount of competition from the northern provinces. The entries were large and the quality left nothing to be desired. The judge was Mr H. E. B. Watson, who was agreeably surprised both at the numbers of the exhibits and the quality. The competition in mature females was stronger than in any other cattle breed in the show. No less than ten cows in milk were brought forward and the ring was an impressive one as all the cattle were of very high quality. The winner of the class and champion of the section was Mr T. Portis’s Maori Bella, by Maori Captain out of Maori Belle, bred by Mr H. P. Lepper, a cow possessing plenty of character, a nice outline and a very fine vessel. The reserve champion was found in the second prize taker in the class, Mr D. M. A. Cameron’s Ivondale Patricia, by Avondale's Pride of Karaka out of Avondale's Maple, a cow of beautiful quality and true dairy type, but not possessing so much character as the champion. The third prize went to last year’s Royal champion, Mr R. Gibb’s Summerlea Lady Briar, which was probably the most typey cow in the ring, but was suffering the effects of age. Eight dry cows were exhibited in a moderate class, the winner being Mr T. Portis’s Rainsbrook Rosalie, with Mr Gibb second and third with Beeswing Nancy and Beeswing Tulip. The three-year-old heifer class was won in a ring of seven by Mr Cameron’s Treasure’s Sweetheart, a very attractive and promising heifer, with Mr Gibb’s Beeswing Memory second and Mr T. Portis third. Mr P. J. Hellyer exhibited the winner in the two-year-old heifer in milk class, Friskie’s Favourite, a heifer showing beautiful type and carrying a good vessel although not so strong in the head as might be desired. Messrs D. Wishart and Sons were second with Blythburn’s Gay Girl and Mr T. Marshall third. Commenting on the female classes, the judge remarked that the winners in the juvenile classes could all be expected to do well. In the dry heifer class, Mr Portis was first with Fairy Maiden and Mr J. Hellyer second. The senior yearling class was a strong one with nine entries, the winner being Mr M. Cramer’s Lady and the same exhibitor’s Majesta Topsy second. In the junior yearling class, Mr Gibb was successful in annexing the red ticket with Beeswing Winsome Lady and Mr W. Johnston was second with an unnamed heifer. . The male section lost nothing in quality by comparison with the females. The winner of the mature class, also reserve champion, was Mr Robert Gibb’s Beeswing Reformer, by Sandaisy’s Marshall out of Summerlea Lady Briar, a bull built on exactly the same lines as the females champion, both of which might be expected to do their part in leaving good stock to become the winners at future show's. Mr T. Portis was second with Rainsbrook Cute Lad, a bull that might have been expected to beat the winner, on a casual examination, but he was not built on such fine lines and was inclined to be more fleshy. Mr Cameron was

the winner in the two-year-old section with an attractive and typey bull, Santa Rosa Chimes, by Santa Rosa Golden Chimes out of Aldan’s Neat Maid, with Mrs Chilton second and Mr A. MeFadyen third. The senior yearling class was a very strong one and brought forth the champion in Mr P. J. Hellyer’s Almdale Willonyx King, by Willonyx Oxford Lad out of Jersey Brae Patch, bred by Mr W. Miers. This is a lengthy and deep bull of wonderful character with a beautiful under line. Coming as he does from the best of butter-fat ancestry, this bull should be a decided acquisition to a good herd. He is probably the most outstanding bull in the South Island at the present time. Second place in the class went to Mr Portis with Mr T. W. Fraser third. The junior yearling class was won by Mr Cameron’s Roseland Owler, by Astor’s Golden Sunshot out of Bay Road Lady Kath, with Mr J. Hellyer’s Collingwood’s Hopeful Lad second. RED POLLS. Although the entries in this section were quite satisfactory, the cattle exhibited were a trifle disappointing. The improvement in the size of the section gave promise of a very good exhibition, but this was scarcely realized for with the exception of about half a dozen individuals, the quality of the entry was only moderate. Most of the cat- ■ tie were shown in rather poor condition and would have shown to better advantage had a more favourable season been experi- I enced.

The female champion was found in the dry cow class, the winner being Glen Eden Tablemaid exhibited by. Mr J. Donaldson. This cow showed very good type and was a more attractive animal than Mr G. S.. Young’s Dominion Zeeland, the winner of class in milk and reserve champion. The champion male was the winner of the mature, bull class, Neutyle Challenger, by Otapu 9 out of Otahuna Nancy, exhibited by the breeder, Mr G. S. Young. This was a very good bull, its only defect being that it was too dark in the nose. The reserve award went to Mr Donaldson’s Glen Eden Clear the Way, the winner of the two-year-old class. Among the young stock exhibited in the section, several heifers shown by Mr Donaldson and Mr J. B. Hamilton gave a great deal of promise of developing into good cattle.

CROSSBREbtDAIRY CATTLE. The judge, Mr D. Caldwell (Menzies Ferry) considered there were some very fine cattle in the crossbred section. In the cow in milk class, Mr R. H. Dickie’s winning entry was a splendid type of crossbred, though a little strong. She was carrying a very good vessel and milk veins and was outstanding in the class. Mr Dickie also gained the first place for his animal in the dry cow class, the cow being very cleanly cut out, showing fine bone and possessing a good shoulder. The second place went to the cow exhibited by Mr P. J. Hellyer Jr., (Dunedin), which showed a fine length of vessel and ran the first winner very close. Mr Caldwell said the yearling heifer class had brought forward the strongest competition, very little separating the first three winners. The firstplaced heifer, exhibited by Mr Blake McDowall, was a fine, slack and deep-bodied specimen of an Aryshire crossbred; the second winner, Mr J. H. Dunn’s Fairy was not so deep but she had a good back line, while Mr T. Baker’s Betty, placed third, was a very typey Jersey crossbred heifer. In the Cottar’s Cow’ class, the first placed animal, Mr D. York’s Atlas, had been thrown out of the crossbred class because she was too pure a Jersey, but she easily surpassed her rivals in the cottar’s cow class. She was a good type of cow and had been bred by her exhibitor. Mr T. M. Baker's Cherry (placed second), a three-year-old heifer carrying a very fine length of vessel, was a good typey animal.

MILKING SHORTHORNS.

Commenting upon the Milking Shorthorns, the judge, Mr W. J. Jenkins of Sheffield, Canterbury, said the class was a particularly good one, the competition being very strong. He expressed much gratification with J. Bateman’s exhibition in this breed, which was the finest showing he (the judge) had seen in his experience. The champion female, John Bateman’s Matangi Hazel, was one of the best of the type in the Dominion and would compare very favourably with exhibits in any show ring in New Zealand. Matangi Hazel, added Mr Jenkins, was a typical Milking Shorthorn. She had great capacity in her vessel and was of a good form quality. The reserve female champion went to Victoria Hazel, also exhibited by Mr Bateman. She was a little backward at present for she was not in milk, but that notwithstanding she was a most promising heifer. Mr Jenkins gave her the reserve placing for he considered she beat the three-year-qjds and would make a much better cow than her rivals! Dealing with the three-year-olds, the judge said that, although they were fair entries of the breed, there was nothing exceptional about them. The Champion bull, Mr J. Bateman’s Hollies Sunbeam, was a great animal, said Mr Jenkins who remarked that after his judging had been completed he had ascertained that the champion cow, Matangi Hazel, was his dam. Though not as good in the middle as the reserve champion bull, he was decidedly better at both ends and was a typey, sappy lowset bull. The reserve champion bull, Mr Bateman’s Hollies Bonny Boy had a great middle piece but he failed in both ends. The judge considered the two-year-old bull class was quite a good one, every animal being a useful one and well brought out. The yearling bulls provided a great class, Braemore Red Rata (placed first), though not as nice in the head as the others, having a great shoulder. In class 140, group consisting of bull, any age, cow in milk or visibly in calf, heifer three years old in milk or visibly in calf, heifer two years old. and heifer one year old. Mr Jenkins said .that Mr Bateman’s animals were exceptionally good, and were a distinct credit to any breeder. He considered the group would be hard to beat throughout the Dominion. FAT CATTLE. In the fat cattle section, there were seven classes provided, 17 animals being entered. In the two-year-old bullock class, competition was keenest, seven entries being forward. Commenting on the section, the judge, Mr H. Brass (Invercargill), said he was quite pleased with the quality of the animals which, he considered, were well up to show standard and in goed condition. There had been no competition in several of the sections, but nevertheless the exhibits had been quite worthy of the prizes.

BEEF SHORTHORNS.

Competition in the Beef Shorthorns section was quite good, more particularly in the junior bull class. The judge (Mr W. Robertson, of Middlemarch), was very gratified with the stock of the principal exhibitor, Mr J. A. Johnstone, of Palmerston South, whose stock, said the judge, was quite up to requirements. Mr Johnstone's Bushey Park Matador gained the male championship ribbon, the only other exhibitor being Mr D. G. Wright, of Ashburton. The judge considered that the exhibits shown by Mr Johnstone were of good beef type, developed on correct lines, while the other exhibits tended more in the direction of the Milking Shorthorn characteristics. THESHEEP VERY KEEN COMPETITION. JUDGES HAVE BUSY DAY. There was a very large and representative entry in the sheep classes and considering the adverse season the stock were shown in very fair condition. Romneys and Border Leicesters were strong sections and the fat lambs were probably the best that have been seen at Southland shows. The judges had a busy day and it was well on in the afternoon before they were finished. One judge who was unable to arrive until the afternoon from Dunedin had to set to work and judge six complete sections. BORDER LEICESTERS. Added interest was lent to this' important section by the large number of entries from the noted North Otago breeder, T. S. Little, who in 1928 won the cup, which last year was secured by William Kennedy. In - most classes ■Mr Little had two strings to his bow and he scored many successes against such strong competitors as- William Kennedy and R. J. Anderson. Both championships and one of the reserve championships fell to Mr Little. The judge of the ram classes, Mr R. K. Low, Rakaia, said that the prize-winners were excellent sheep, equal to the best at the Christchurch Show. In fact not a few were the. same animals as won at Christchurch. The champion. ram, was found in the pairs under 18 months. “This is rather an unusual decision,” commented the judge, “for it seldom happens that the champion comes out of the pair of ram hoggets. However, Mr Little’s animal was so outstanding that I could not go past it. It was a sheep of exceptional quality with a splendid back, scragg and loin. It stood well on its legs and had plenty of good bone.” Mr Little supplied the reserve champion with a ram over 18 months and under 30 months. In the class for rams over 30 months William Kennedy was first and R. J. Anderson second. The judge said that these rams were a little bit too strong in the wool to please a Canterbury man. T. S. Little was first and R. J. Anderson second for rams over 18 and under 30 months, the former being the reserve champion. T. S. Little won without opposition for a shorn ram of this age. The judge said that the head of this animal would improve a lot of the Border Leicesters throughout New Zealand. The strongest class in the section was for rams under 18 months. The judge said he had great difficulty in separating the best, but finally gave first place to T. S. Little’s ram, which won at Christchurch, William Kennedy being a close second. For shorn rams under 18 months some splendid sheep were shown, J. A. Edwards finally gaining the verdict with a sheep typical of the best of the breed. T. S. Little was second and third. For a pair of rams T. S. Little’s pen, which included the champion, was an easy first.

Mr Low said that he could not comment at any length on the rams in the natural condition classes. A good many faults had been apparent, and he said that it was quite likely another judge would alter the placings. J. A. Edwards won with a nice carcass animal in the class for rams over 18 months, and W. Anderson won with a low-set typical animal for rams under IS months. J. A. Edwards won with a pair of rams and W. Anderson with three flock rams.

The judge of the ewes, Mr W. Roxburgh, said that all the prize-winners were equal to anything that would be found at other shows. In the class for ewes over 39 months with lamb at foot both the champion and reserve champion had been found. Mr T. S. Little had the champion which the judge praised very highly. He said that it possessed a wonderful back, as broad and as flat as a table. Its fleece was of correct type and it had a fine head. The reserve champion, from Mr Kennedy’s flock, was also a fine stamp of animal. For ewes over 18 months and under 30 months with lamb at foot the competition had been very keen,,W. Kennedy just getting the verdict from T. S. Little. T. S. Little gained first and second for ewes under 18 months, the judge stating that both were great-backed mutton sheep with good fleeces. For shorn ewe under 18 months there was a big entry. T. S. Little was first with a very’ gay hogget of excellent carriage and with a fine head and broad back. He also showed the second sheep which, though of good type, was not so sprightly. R. J. Anderson was thidr with another good hogget. For a pair of ewes T. S. Little was first and second with a pair of splendid constitution and w_qol. William Kennedy’s pair, which was third, were very well matched.

In the natural conditions classes for Border Leicester ewes J. A. Edwards was first and second for ewe with lamb at foot. The first prize-winner, stated the judge, was an old animal, but was a very fine one. For the ewe hoggets there were six entries and a great variety of type was shown. W. Kennedy was first with a nice hogget, and second with another good animal, whose only blemish was a slightly brown face and legs. For a pair of ewe hoggets W. E. Lindsay, of Drummond, was first with a splendidly matched pair. William Kennedy second and J. A. Edwards third. All were excellent animals. ROMNEY MARSH. There were splendid entries in almost all of the Romney Marsh classes and outside breeders as well as Southlanders were well represented. Honours were fairly evenly distributed. The judge of the rams, Mr S. W. Ayson, Waikaka, stated that he was well pleased with the exhibition of Romneys which, (Continued on Page 15.)