SHEEP.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLVII, Issue 12341, 4 November 1904, Page 8

SHEEP.

It is in the sheep classes, taking them as a whole, that the most noticeable falling off in numbers is apparent, the

effect of the extraordinarily unfavourable weather of the last few months plainly tel'iing its tale. Among'the exhibitors whose names have disappeared from this year's programme are Raynor Bros. (Taratahi), Allen (Lower Hutt), Gadsby (Patea), and I. Sykes (Wairarapa). A number of exhibitoa\s who had originally entered largely have found it necessary, owing to the effect of the weather upon their stock, to considerably reduce thjsir entries, and for the same reason Bealey Bros., of Christchurch, are not represented at all this ,yeaa\ The shorn sheep classes have filled exceptionally well. Some Tunic-Am-erican sheep, imported from America by E. Riddiford, attracted considerable interest. It was evident that the Romney-Maa-sh breed has become the popular breed along the W Test Coast, and has superseded the hitherto inwnciible Lincoln. The number of entries to-day—l3s Romneys and 69 Lincoliis —tells the tale. The Romney's viriile constitution renders it admirably suited to the rough conditions of a lot of the country in this part of the colony, and with the ewe-j----always a good breeder—the Romney as regarded as a handy and profitable andmal. "How does the New Zealand Romney compare with the Kent?" a breeder who has had experience in England and in the colonies was asked. He replied that in, the Wairarapa and the Manawatu they improve in wool, compared with the Kent animal, but slightly fail off in constitution. At present the Lincoln is the most popular animal with breeders in the Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay districts, but the recent Show at Hastings gave evidence that the Romaiey Marsh breed was increasing rapidly in favour in Hawke's Bay. The Romney Marsh sheep were judged by A. D. McIlrait'h, of North Canterbury, and so numerous was the entry and keen the competition .that he was the last judge ■to finish his work. The 'championships, 'ram and ewe, in Lincolns was secured by the Hon. J. D. Ormond's entries, Perry Bros.' exhibit being placed in the reserve position for ewes. Othea* Arst awards in the ram classes fell to T. Tanner, Perry Bros., W. H. Wybourne, while in ewes Perry Bros., with the exception of .the championship, scooped ail first awards. The same exhibitors secured both championships and all firsts in Engliish-Leicesters. Minor awards in this section were shared by Slack Bros., A. Harding, S. R. Lancaster, J. F. Reid, and Nelson Bros. The special prize presented by Slack Bros, for the best shorn ram hogget (English Leicester) was won by S. R. Lancaster's entry, first and second, Slack Bros, third and v.h.c, and Perry Bros. h.c. For Border Leiicesters (in the wool),, Nelson Bros.' entry secured both championship and reserve championship for rams, the Hon. J. D. Ormond doing ditto with his ewes. W. Baker oairried off several minor prizes. Nelson Bros.'s exhibits accounted for both championships in Shropshire Downs as well as for the reserve championship in ewes, the reserve honour for ram failing to W. A. Beecroft's entry. W. J. Birch secured two first awards, one for two ams 18 months and under and the other for two ewes. J. Stuckey secured champion and .Jas. Knight reserve champion in .Southdown rams, Nelson Bros, appropriating both the coveted honours for ewes. Nelson Bros, secured six first awards, and Jas. Knight one first award in the classes in this sectioii, J. Stuckey carrying off ' most of the minor awards. The same exhibitor also obtained both championship and reserve for shorn Southdown, Nelson Bros, aigaiin doing ditto with ewes.. In the class for ewes, 18 months or under, Ellis Bros, obtained first award. J. Vile, M.H.R., had the field all to himself in Hampshire Downs, taking all the prizes, and iNeison Bros, overcame ail opposition in the fat sheep classes. H. Giu'lies, W. C. Buchanan, and G. P. Donnelly sharing some of the minor- awardsl. ..'

First honours in Romneys were evenly divided between S. Reed (3 firsts and ram championship), P. Mungairn (2 firsts and reserve championship), J. Batchelor (2), R. Tanner (2 and reserve championship in ewes), and H. S. Hadfried (Ist and champion ewe). Other prize-winners were G. Wheeler and W. B. Allen, while among those whose exhibits were more or less highly commended, were W. F. Jacobs, Gray Bros, E. Short, and D. Rowland. DOGS. The dogs, taken all round, were a very good lot, for though there were none of exceptional quality, there were none which would be unworthy 6i a place in any show ring. The solitary St. Bernard was a good one, and the winning deerhound, Fenoch Royal, was •an excellent specimen. The greyhounds were first-class, and were a very fit lot. The English setters were of good average quality. The first prize Gordon setter was a nice dog, the others only fair. Irish setters were few, but good, and the only Pointer was one of average quality. The Rough Coated Collies were nearly all out of coat, but they 'were of fair quality; two champions, however, standing out much * aibove the others in point of merit. The Beardles were all high class animals. The Fox Terriers were of medium quality, the best of the smooth variety being the. champion -bitch.1 The .Wirehaired Fox Terriers were;;. an:rimprovement on those usually exhibited, and the second andsMrd prize r: puppies'vare likely 'tojjftecGm^first."classvdogs;' f^ith age. The Bull DpgS" ;wei;e/a; f^ir lot, one or two being, -however, distinctly above the average. The Spaniels were good, and for the first time there were some specimens of Great Danes, the trio being of excellent quality. COMPETITIONS.

Only one competition took place today, viz., leaping in steeplechase style. This was won 'by Mr. W. D. Watson's Entry, with Mr. J. Egans' No Hope 2nd, and Mr. S. McNivin's Pickpocket 3rd.

The points in Ayrsliires were as follows : & W. Luxford, 25 pts, Ist; J. Kyle, 25 pts, 2nd.

Fat Cattle.—Gear Meat Co, 26 pts, Ist; Mr. iMoHardy, 13 pts, 2nd. Draught horses, Gamman and Co., 31 pts, Ist; H. McEwen, 27 pts, 2nd.