THE PEOPLE'S DAY.

Colonist, Volume XLVIX, Issue 11812, 17 December 1906, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE PEOPLE'S DAY.

Tho most pirf-^t weather favored the A. and P. Association for the second day — the People's Day— of the Show, and if the attendance was not a record one, it must have been very close to it. There was a great crowd of poopln, and tho numerous side shows ha ! no little share in adding to the animation of the scene. Viewed from the Grandstand, it could bo seen at any time of the day that a constant stream of spectators was passing through every department of the Show, while the Grandstand and its vicinity was thronged the whole day, the various riding, driving and other competitions being a great attraction. Tho arragements all round were very complete, and tho constant effort to effect improvement has been crowned with success, for he would be a captious critic indeed who would find anything of moment wrong with the managemennt of this year's Show. Years of experience, a band of men who are consistent workers in the interest of the Association and the possession of a secretary who, for practical knowledge and administrative capacity, would be very difficult to match, have told, and we congratulate .all concerned upon the highly creditable achievement. As we stated in yesterday's issue. it had been decided that unless one of the Ministry was present thero would not be any formal opening proceedings. This decision was arrived at some considerable time ago, and for years it has boon the opinion of some that these proceedings should, unless in exceptional circumstances, bo done away with altogether. It will not be out of place here to refer briefly to the great headway this Association has made since its n>st show in 1893. By the assistame of the Governmennt the Association is now the possessor of the magnifi cent Richmond Park * property secured to the people for all time, and but .CI2OO of debt remains on the property, and the land alone would now readily bring £5000 if it was possiLlo to put it in the market The Association has also a substan tial cash balance at the Bank, over three hundred members, and the assets on tho ground in the way of Grandstand and fixtures are very considerable, aud bring in a considerable revenue from the racing clubs. Ad'led fco this, the property is leased for farming purposes, forming another source of considerable rovenne. It will be seen fthat the Association is in a good way, it has donp a great work, and equipped, as it n^w is it appears beyond all doubt that tho Association will exert a still greater influence for the welfare of this district. The Citizens' Band vras present throughout the d.iy, and enlivened the proceedings with mu c if\ An important loonl industry was in evidence in the produce shed, whore Mr George Tripoell, of Brightwater, mide n splendid show of "Radium" fljur anJ other products of hU mill. As Mr Trapnell's records show, he can hold his own in the best company. The weight of wool ,on five sheep, shorn on tho Sh°w grounds last evening, was Si^lb?. It is with pleasure thtt we rofer ti the very excellent train arrangements made for the day — without doubt the heaviest day in the year on the line. Everything worked without tho slightest hitch and on all sides were heard complimentary remarks as to the jnanncr jrt which

the abnormal traffic was dealt with The only grumble beard cams fron a few who were left behind becausi punctuality was strictly oberved. am it must be remembered that, whew trains have to cross especially, a goot service cannot be maintained witb out absolute punctuality. We not iced several matters of improvement Carriages and trucKs were standing long before the timetable hour o: starting so that passengers could be comfortably seated and avoid last minute rushes and crushes. For the convenience of passengers in the vans steps were provided where the vans were not opposite a platform, this convenience being a very greal benefit to elderly people especially, and tended to minimise the risk bi accident. The staff of attendant; was also largely increased by enlist ing the services of the permanenl way hands and very properly these were distingui shed by an official badge of that their authority coulc not be questioned. This extra as sistance tended to increased efTiiciency and smooth work. We compliment the staff on the successful manner in which a difficult task was carried out. Over two thousand people were carried by rail and the 5.30 train from Richmond to Nelson .carried ovei 1100 passengers. The ~ train, composed of three engines and 27 vehicles, presented quite an imposing sight coming round the curves as it ascended Jenkins' Hill. Yesterday tho only classes that were required to be judged were the light horses, and a portion of the draught horses. THE COMPETITIONS The riding and driving competitions as nsual proved a great attraction with the public, and this year the jumping was particularly good. For the best jumper over five fair hunting fences the competition was particularly keen between Mr A. F. Trask's well known hurdler, Rhodorick Dhu,and Mr F. C. Batchelor's Sandridge, and tho judges were unable to separate the horses named, declaring tho first place a dead heat. For the past four years this event has been won by Rhodorick Dhu, but Sandridge is a much improved fencer, aud the judges' opinion was fully endorsed by the public. Hackneys were very numerous. There were no less than twenty entries for the eleven stone .hacks, in which Messrs Newman Brothors secured first and second place, and in the thirteen stone hacks, the Messrs Newman again secured a first prize ticket, after keen competition. The first prize in lady's hack class also fell to tho firm. Mr R. G. Matthews of Spring Creek, also secured his share of prizes, winning first prizo in tho tandem team, first in the famer's turn out, second in troop horso, and second in best dog cart horse, trap and harness. With the Braeburn bred mare, Puhikura, Mr F. Hamilton secured first place for the troop horse, and first for the best trotting mare, driven in harness. Four first prizes fell to Mr Thos. Petti t, three in pony classes and one for the grocer's delivery cart. The lady's jumping was uot so good as usual, aud there was a noticeable falling off in these competitions. The judges, Messrs Mitchell, were very pleased with the light horses as a class, especially with the hackneys, the 11-' stone hacks being considered a very excellent class. They also considered that the vehicles, and the manner 'in which they were turned out, reflected the highest credit on the owners. The judges considered that tho horses shown by Messrs Grant Bros, in the licensed carriers and express horse classes were the best they had seen in Nelson. Class I.— DRAUGHT HORSES. Judge ; Mr Jas. Mitchell, Oamaru; Stewards: Messrs Jas. Hunt (Sanr. ), John Hagen. G. W. Best, and Jos. Wadsworth. Mare or gelding, suitable for carrier's work, shown in spring dray: Geo. Best 1. Alf. Higgins 2, W. E. WUkes 3 Mare or gelding driven in express: Grant Bros.;l and 3, Tasker and Levien 2 Licensed carriers' express horse, trap or harness: Grant Bros 1 and 2 ° Most points in class 1: E. Jessop 10 points, 1; Grant Bros, 9 points, 2 . LIGHT HORSES. Driving and Riding Competitions. Judges: Messrs Jas. and John A. Mitchell: Stewards:, Messrs Godfrey Best (senior), R. T. Sadd, J. E. ' Bartlett, F. C. Batchelor, J. Gauisrodger. F. W. Smith, R. 11. Coleman. and J. S. Wratt Thoroughbred brood mare: Alf. Silcock 1, P. Martin 2 Brood Mare, adapted for producing weight carrying hacks: P. Martin 1 Miss Eileon Adams 2 Pony mare or gelding, 14.2: Thos. Pettit"l, Randal Usher 2, Mrs Dr Andrew 3 Do, 13.2: Randal Usher 1, F. Sutton 2, H. R. Ruff ell 3, W. A. Roughton c Butcher's delivery cart, horse and harness: John C. Little 1 Grocer's ditto: Thos. Petti t 1, G. F. Kingston 2 Pair of buggy horses, driven in harness: Fry Bros 1 Trotting mare or golding, driven in harness: F. W. Hamilton 1, R. G. Matthews 2, Miss Eileen Adams 3, Percy Adams vhc Open harness and driving competition: John Biggar 1, F Stone 2, James Delaney 3, Hagen Bros 4. Time, 2 mins 40 4-ssec3 Tandem team : R. G. Matthews 1, Fry Bros 2 Lady driver (amateur) : Miss Eileen Adams (owner) 1, U. McGowan (Mrs McGowan) 2 Pony turn-out (not to exceed 14.2) driven by lady : Thos. Petti t (Mrs Jacka) I. H. R. RufTel (Miss Delaney) 2, Frank Coleman (Miss O'Connor) vhc Pony mara or gelding (not to exceed 14.2) suitable for "Roadster," and driven in harness: Thos. Pettit 1, Frank Coleman 2, Ed. Haycock 3 Driver of tandem, with light horses and trap over obstacles: John Orsman, lmin 17secs, 1 : Fry Bros, lmin 26secs, 2 Driver of amateur tandem, through obstacles: John Orsman, lmin 17 sees, 1 ; Jas Delaney Imiu 29 sees, 2 Lady amateur driver for single harness: Hagen Bros (Miss Hagen, driver), 1, C. McGowan (Mrs McGowan) 2 Lady's hack (driven by lady): Newman Bros (Mrs B»igent, rider) 1, F. C. Batchelor (Miss Batchelor) 2, J. H. Mead (Miss Hodgkinson )i 3, Alf. Silcock (Grace Macmahon) he Pony, not exceeding 14 hands, to be ridden ry girls under 14 years: Randal Usher (V. Cunningham, rider) 1, John Glen (Mabel Trask) 2 H. R. Ruffell (K. Anderson 3 Walking competition for horses and ponies, i^-mile: F.W. Fairey 1, Juhn C. Little 2 Jumping, pony not exceedng 13 hands, over 3 fights of huidles, ridden by girl 15 years old : Miss Grace Macmahon 1 Jumping pony, not exceeding 13 hands, over 3 flights of hurdles, ridden by boy 15 years; Master Randal Usher 1, "Master Clarence Challies 2 Lady's hack, over 3 flights of hurdles, 3ft, ridden by lady: Miss L. Coster (Miss L Coster, rider) 1, Mrs Arnold (Miss Grace Maemnhon) 2, Alf. Silcock (Miss Phillips 3 Jumper of 5 fair hunting fences, (lady or gentlemen riders) : F. C. rSatchelor's Sandridge (R. Batchelor, rider) and A. F. Trasu'a Rhoderick Dtiu (F. Krahagen) dead heat 1, B. H. Chancy (owner) 3, J. H. Mead (B. Pearless) 4 Hack mare or gelding, up to 11 stone: Newman Brothors 1 and 2, R. G. Matthews 3 Hack mare or gelding, up to 13 stone: Newman. Brothers 1, Geo. Silcock 2, Miss Eileen Adams 3 Hack mare or gelding, up to 15 stone: Percy Adams 1, Geo. Silcock 2, John U. Little 3 Dog cart horse, mare or gelding, trap and harness: F. Hamilton 1, R. G. Matthews 2, Miss Eileen Adams 3 Troop horse, ridden in uniform : F. C. Batchelor's Miss Cole 1, Mrs Dr Andrew 2, Norman Clifford 3 ; ,, Farmers' trap horse, innre or geld-

. ing, to be driven : R. G. Matthews 1 i Alfred Cb allies 2, F. W. Smith 3 a Troop horse, to be ridden : F 1 Hamilton 1, R. G. Matthews 2, Fret > Edwards 3 i Most points: R. G. Matthews i Spring Crock, 12 points 1 Class 3.— CATTLE. I Milch cow: Geo. Brooke, weigh f 251 b 14oz, test 1.081, butter fat 4.2, > Ist: James Hunt, weight 191 b 2oz. ; test .912, butter fat 5, 2nd ; J. lr 3 vine, weight 171 b 12oz, tost .910. 3 butter fat 5, 3rd 3 Class 12. — WOOD CHOPPING j. COMPETITION. , Stewards: Messrs W. D. Harkneas i (senior), A. Uibbs, Jos. Wads 3 worth, J. Hagen, and G. 11. Best. k Henry Spittal (East Takaka) 3mic i 50secs,"l; H. Griffith (Wai-iti), 4 mm 6 2 ssecs, 2; H.A. Burn (Wakeh"eld),4min37 4-ssecg,3. Five competed, two competitors scratched on account of hard logs. | Sawing competition : Jack and Bryant Higgins, 24secs, 1: Buru Brs, 25 2-SS6CS, 2; H. Griffiths and mate, 27 2-ssecs, 3. Five competed. l STEPPING COMPETITION. : Stewards: Messrs W. Coleman, G.E. Chisnall, W. T. Bond, and R. T. Sadd. i The distance to be stepped was one hundred yards. There were twenty- ; three competitors, and tho winners > were: C. Sutton, 99 yards 2feet S inj ches, 1; C. Sutton, 99 yards 2feet, 2; A. V. Wells, 100 yards 2 feet 4 inches, 3. 1 In addition to the stands mentioned yesterday, Mr J. F. Papps of . Richmond had on exhbition a rustic cart, spring dray and spring cart, Mr Geo. Webbly shovved a traction engine and threshing machine; Messrs W. F. Yorke and Sons, vehicles; and Mr W. G. Vining a Cadillac motor car.