METROPOLITAN SHOW.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10305, 9 November 1911, Page 3

METROPOLITAN SHOW.

——• SECOND DAY. LAJIGIS ATTEND A NCJS ON THE GROUNDS.

The second day of the Canterbury Agrk'ultural and .Pastoral Association's Metropolitan Show opened well, but all the morning and on to the afternoon a strong, hot, and oppressive nor'-wester, true to the type, blew over the grounds and detracted, somewhat from the enjoyment of those who attendedAll day long there has been a large attendance of the public. • To-day, indeed, may be regarded: as a People's Day in miniature. Many visitors are strolling about the grounds, banners are flying in the wind, side-shows are doing good business, working exhibits are in .motion, cattle, sheep, liorses and pigs are greatly in evidence, and there is the indescribable hum of conversation on all sides. Taking it altogether, it is the most successful Second Day the Association has had, and, if the rain holds off, it may be taken as an augury for a record People's Day to-mor-row.

Judges, marshals and other officials have been busy amongst the animals and the dairy produce, which are being judged. Later on in the afternoon the rings attracted the attention of those who are interested in military events, jumping and other competitions of that nature.

There seems to bo a general opinion amongst those who have seen many shows that tlife exhibits, on the whole, are better than last year's. The cattle are good in all classes, and they .show very satisfactory condition. Amongst the horses, the draughts have been much admired and highly praised. 'ln light horses there has been a notable falling off in the numbers brought forward. 'Tliis is accounted for in several ways. One reason given is that tho light horse is being superseded by the motor-car, which, by the way, is represented in extraordinarily large numbers. Another reason is that feed has been scarce, that many horses, consequently, have suffered in condition, and that tiieir owners, realising the futility of sending them to the show unless they are in the pink of condition, have withheld them. Be this as it may, there is 11 decided decline in the numbers this year in that class. As to the sheep, an opinion ia expressed that in view of the season they make a remarkably good display. Many farmers were quite prepared to seo a falling-off in the classes for sheep, and were suri>rised to find that owenrs had done so well- In dairy produce there is an exceptionally good display. This is specially the case in the classes for scones and bread, in which the judges had a good deal of difficulty in awarding the prizes The committee's efforts to add to the comfort of the ladies at the show aie commended. A largo new ladies room has been erected, and other improvements have been made. Speaking of the prospects of the season Mr J. W. Trolove, of Marlborough, said that the long dry spell from July until a week ago had made tlio outlook serious, the prophecy of a shortace of feed making the farmers jather dubious. During tho first week in November, however, steady rain had fallen. and tho season in Marlborough Avould he every bit as good as last year. Tho lambing in Marlborough had been very good and ho thought that all round tlicv prospects "were bright-. JUDGING COMPETITIONS. The judging competitions commenced at 10 a.m. They are open to young fanners or farmers' sons under twentylive veans of age, and the Joseph Haydon gold medals will be awarded to first-prize takers in the Ayrshire, English Leicester and. Corricdalo competitions. Mr \V. Lowrio also gives prizes for second place. The classes taken were —Ayrshire cow or heifer in milk, fourteen entries; English Leicester ram, fifteen entries; and Corriedale ram, ten entries. Tho result will be announced on Monday.

CATTLE.

In the fat cattlo classes the entries wore very .meagre, only two classes, those for bullock any ago and bullock calved since Juno 30, 1.907, producing any competition. Taken all round, however, the quality of stock shown was good, and compared very favourably with entries in this section in former years. Mr A. Murray's live-year bullock, Jimmie, bred by Mr A. It. Hay lock, of Akaroa, gained first honours in the bullock (any age) class, tin- exhibits of Messrs M.'Clelland Brothers and Mr !■!. lleaton Rhodes being cloise to the winner in the judging. In the class tor bullocks of four years and under -Mr A. E. Uirdling's roan and white four-year-old was placed, first, the exhibits of Messrs R, M. Barker and R. ileaton Rhodes being awarded second prize and a v.h.c. certificate respectively. In tlio other classes there was no competition, but the cow, two lvoiiers and a veal calf shown by Mr Arthur Chamberlain were all animals of good size and shape, and the exhibits of the lliecarton Estate and [Messrs J. Fergusson, A. I']. Rirdling and R. 11. :l>arker were all considered by the judges worthy of Jirst a wards. NOTES. The Sports Protection League has a tent on the grounds, in the main avenue. and * officers wore busy to-day enrolling members and issuing certificates of membership. Large numbers of fanners arc present from the North Island. His Excellency the Governor will arrive,on the grounds at 11.30 a.m. tomorrow, and will be met by the president of the Association. 1.10 will lie entertained at luncheon by the committee. Lady Islington was a. visitor to the show this afternoon. Commenting on the. show yesterday Sir George Clifford stated (hat. as far as the quality .of the sheep was concerned he thought that, the show "was uno of the best held for some .years.