SMALL CROWD ON JUDGING DAY

Southland Times, Issue 23377, 8 December 1937, Page 14

SMALL CROWD ON JUDGING DAY

More Sideshows And Trades Displays SHEEP JUDGES HAVE LONG TASK Evidence of a particularly favourable season for sheep growers was to be found throughout the sheep section during the judging yesterday. The exhibits were in particularly good condition, carrying heavy fleeces of dense wool in unusually good order. The judges were almost unanimously enthusiastic about the sheep, but there was a rather different tale among the cattle where reduced entries resulted in weak competition and some of the exhibits were scarcely up to show condition, displaying the results of a dry season and a general shortage of pasture growth.

With the reduced entries, the cattle judges had an easier task than is usual and in only one ring was the judging continued in the afternoon. The sheep judges, however, had an arduous day, particularly those judging the Romney Marsh and Southdown breeds. As a result of a long collaboration over several special classes, the Romney Marsh men were not finished until five o’clock, while the afternoon was well advanced when the Southdown section was completed. For once, the dairy produce and baking section presented an unusually heavy task and the judging here also was later than usual.

The attendance was small as is usual for judging day, but the unusually big number of side-shows were open to business and apparently attracted a good number of visitors. There are this year several lanes of sideshows, with an unusual variety of novelties. The trades displays also occupy more space than in recent years and the total area taken up by sideshows and commercial exhibits is believed to constitute a record for the show. The ground and appointments were in very good order after the dry weather and the ring should present a good turf for the competitions this afternoon. The wisdom of the association in erecting additional covered sheep pens last season was demonstrated by the full entries. The president of the association (Mr J. A. Edwards) expressed his satisfaction with the show and said that he was particularly pleased with the sheep exhibits. He was glad that outside exhibitors were patronizing the show to a greater extent and said this would have a stimulating effect among district breeders. In such a dry season it was not surprising that the cattle entries had been smaller, but there could be no question of the high quality of the animals exhibited. All the arrangements for the day were carried out without hitch and the efficiency of the officials reflected great credit on the organization of the executive officers. In the secretarial office, Mr F. Young achieved his usual success in securing smooth operation for all the events of the day.