EXTRA EXHIBITS UNCLASSIFIED. NOT COMPETING FOR PRIZE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 817, 18 November 1872, Page 3 (Supplement)

EXTRA EXHIBITS UNCLASSIFIED. NOT COMPETING FOR PRIZE.

James Gaby, Juur. — whole pig cured. Goldsmith and Co, Dunedin — bono manure. R A Barker — a pair of capons. Isaao Collins— bale of half-bred wool, commended by the judges. THE ANNUAL DIUNEE. In tho evening tho supporters of the Association sat down to a dinner provided by Messrs Hobbs, of the Clarendon hotel. About forty gentlemen, principally from tho country, were present. Mr M. Studholtne, President of the Association, occupied the chair, and Mr H. Bellield, Secretary, the vice-chair. The dinner was served m the upper room of Mr Cliff's stone store, . m Strathallan street, a room which ■would have hold a much, larger company than •were- present. In spite of the large number of lamps put m requisition, the room was insufficiently lighted, aud owing to tho unceiled roof, ifc was extremely difficult to hear the speakers, a difficulty which was increased through the heavy downpour of rain, which was falling during the evening upon tho iron roof. In conseequence of this drawback, our report of the speeches delivered is not po full aa we could wish.

.Afle) 1 the removal of tlie cloth, The President proposed the fir3t. toast, "The licnll.li or her Majesty the Queen," which was drunk with full honors. Ho then proposed, "Success to the Timaru .Agricultural and Pastoral Association." lie was sure they ull wished the Society every success— a success it whs mm to iiliaiu if it went on m the same way as it had during the last few years. Notwithstanding the falling off m the number of exhibits of merinos, those that were exhibited were particularly good, and he regretted the absence of the Ot'.go breeders, for they would have found that the district merino sheep had greatly improved since last year. As to long-wools, he never expected to see so largo a show as he had seen that day ; he supposed that it was owing to their being a more profitable sheep. [No, no.] In this I closs of sheep, the entries were more numerous than lust year, and the sheep much better. The local breeders had not fallen back, and although they had had to compete with one of the beat long-wool breeders m Canterbury, they had only been beaten by four points. The horses, especially draught, were larger m number than m any former year, and the quality was also better. In draught stock the district always had some Tory good horses, especially as regarded blood, but as a rule were deficient m symmetry. It always had good hacks, and he was sure the visitors had never seen better horses than were shown at the show. They had that day seen as good a hoi'so as any m the south seas. He did not own the horse now, and therefore might be allowed to speak m his praise. As regarded cattle, ho could not say much for Timaru. Mr Slack was the only man who had any pretension to be considered a breeder. There were no Tery good cattle m the district, for tho reason that they did not pay at present, but they had good sheep, good draught horses, and good hacks to ride. In proposing the toast, he begged to couple it with the names of Messrs McLean and Grigg, as hief prize takers. Mr McLean returned thanks, but his remarks could not be distinctly heard by our reporter, owing to the heavy rain falling on the roof at the time. Mr Grigg expressed the pleasure he felt m being present at. tho Show that day. It was a credit to the district, and au especial credit to those gentlemen who had first set the ball rolling, and mado it an established fact. Good as the show had been, however, he had no doubt that iv a few years it would bo even bettor than it had been that day. The railway would be through before long [hear, hear] and then Timaru would bo a sort of neutral ground on which both Canterbury and Otago could compete. When that was tho case, exhibitors from other places would not have an easy victor}', as had been his own case that day. However, lie was glad to say, that although he had not shown for four years, he was still m his old position at the top of the tree ; still, he felt that he should have to be very careful m his breeding, or on some future- occasion lie might yet bo beaten m Timaru, I (Cric3 for Mr Slack.) Mr Slack, said he wa3 proud m having for the second time carried off the prize for cattle. He was glad to hear thattho merinowasgivingwaytothelong-wool. (No, no.) He disagreed with the chairman's remarks about cattle not paying. He did not see why they should not have the best cattlo the best sheep, and the best horses m New Zealand, as they had some of the best land to rear them on. The Association had for its object the promotion of an arb the most ancient, as it was the most honorable m the world. Whatever its President said to the contrary ho hoped it would force cattle into the district ; that far better animals would be shown next year, and that he would carry off his share of the prizes. The President then m a few well chosen remarks, presented tho cups to the successful competitors. Mr McLean, on behalf of Canterbury and Otago Association (Levels), Mr Grigg and Mr Slack. Ho stated that owing to there being four ties for the draught horse cup, that prize must remain m abeyance for another year. Messrs McLean, Grigg, and Slack replied m suitable terms to tho complimentary remarks of the President. The latter pointed ont what ho considered a fault m the Society's regulations, which was m respect to the time from which the age of cattle was taken. He considered tho age should date from the Ist of July instead of from Ist September, as under the present arrangements, ho had been compelled to show a fourteen months old bull against two year olds, and un eight months calf against yearlings. The health of tho unsuccessful competitors was then drank with all the honors. Mr Andrew Turnbull, who was called upon to respond, did so, remaining that he hoped that those who had been unsuccessful this year, would bo successful at the next show. The health of the judges was drank with musical honors, it was coupled with the names of Messrs Brydon and Sutherland. Mr Sutherland (from Otago), briefly acknowledged the compliment, and said it would be hard to find a better type of sheep than had been shown "by the successful exhibitor m merino's that day. Mr Brydon (from Otago) m replying said, that tho sheep ho had judged that day, were longer woolled sheep than had ever been shown m New Zealaud before. The sheep were so closely tied as to quality, that the judges had the greatest difficulty m coming to a decision, and were not very well satisfied when they did. He should be very glad if people iv this part of the colony would come a little farther south, and show m his own district. He had never been to a Timaru show beforo, but he hoped to see another now ho knew they wore so well worth seeing. In regard to long-wool sheep he was sure that they would attract more and more, attention every year. Tho cross-bred also was a most profitable sheep, and would as the land got brought under grass, be found most suitable. He did not advocate any particular description of sheep, for he believed that they would havo to raise a new breed neither Lincoln, Leicester, or Merino, but a breed suited for the climate of the country. The toasfc of " The "Visitors " wa3 the next one honored. It was coupled with the name of the Kov C. Fraser, who was present. The Rev C. "Eraser said ho did not feel qualified to return thanks for the visitors. He was unable to judge of tho qualities of the cattle, horses, or sheep ; but he could judgo of the evidences of prosperity iv tho district of Timaru which ho had that day witnessed. It was evidently oue of the wealthiest and most prosperous districts m New Zealand. (Applause). It was part of his weekly duty to pray publicly for God's blessing upon the labors of the husbandman and the produce of tho fields, and he was pleased to join with* them that evening m rejoicing m the good things God had giveu them. Ho wished them continued and increased prosperity. The President then rose to propose " The Health of Mr Belfield, the Secretary to the Association." He said there was an old saying " the willing horse lray work," and nothing was truer than m the case of their secretary. While they were sleeping he was working", and when they came down to the show they found every thing-working smoothly. Ho thought they could not give Mr Belfield too much praise, for he had been the mainstay of the Association. True, lie said nothing about his work, but he did it unostentatiously and well, convinced that it was for the benefit of the district. He had much pleasure ia

proposing thu livnlt.li of their Secretary, and was sure they could not driuk it too enthusiastically. The toast was drank with musical honors. Mr Beliield i flunked the company for the kind way m which they had drank his health, and Mr Studholine for the flattering remarks he had made. After all it was true, although he gaid it, that he had to do the most of the work. Still there were others who could have done it better. (No, no.) Yes ; because they could afford more time from their business than he could. He had during seven years done his best to carry out what he had undertaken, and to make tho Show a success. He might, perhaps, be allowed to make a few remarks m respect to the objects of the Society. As Mr Slack had justly remarked, the country relied much on its sheep, cattle, and horses, and it was the object of every runholder and farmer to breed the best stock he could. The object of ' a show was not to bring before a farmer or breeder what stock his neighbor had got ; for that he knew already, but what the farmer at a distance had bred. For this reason he was glad to Bee stock from north of the Hangi--, tata at the bliow, but was sorry none had come from south of the Waitaki. He regretted that neither Mr Tolmio or Messrs Campbell and Low were exhibiting this year. It would have been more satisfactory if the Canterbury and Otago Association had had those gentlemen to compete with, and they would havo had more satisfaction iv winning the prize. Ho was sorry when he ascertained that the merino exhibits had fallen off by sixty-two entries, but was glad to find that the entries taken all together brought m more than m any former year — nob much, but still it was more. This was owing to tho increaso in ' exhibits of long-vroolled sheep, cattlo, and horses. It was satisfactory to see tho increased interest that farmers and stockbreeders were taking m the show. It was only by supporting such associations that they could hope to see tho perfection they desired. About the superiority of the long-wools | against which ho had heard such energetic no ! no's ! he prophesied that they would soon turn the runholders out of house and homo from tho seaboard, to the hills, for they were the sheep for the I small farmer, who would sooner or later occupy the country. The merino might still hold its own m tho wild 3of the Mackonzie country. [Oh, oh.] He was quite willing to see them thus give way, as the long-woolled ' sheep produced more wool and per acre taking no more feed, was on the whole the more profitable animal. [Cries of " Question ?"] Ho considered that this exhibition , showed that tho merino was giving way, and he believed that at future exhibitions the long-wools would predominate as they had that day. Mr Belfield concluded by again thanking the company for the kind way m which they had, drunk his health, and resumed his seat amidst applause. The toast of " The Ladies " was then duly honored, and responded to by Mr Neilson. Tho remaining toasts were "The Implement Makers," — m proposing which the President expressed the regret with which Messrs Eeid and Gray's recent heavy loss by fire had been heard of m Timaru — and " The President," to which Mr Studholme suitably replied. The proceedings during the evening were enlivened by several capital songs, and the company broke up about eleven o'clock.