CLASS II.—CATTLE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1977, 31 October 1863, Page 3

CLASS lI.— CATTLE.

Judges.— Messrs Powdreli, Robertson, Canning,

No imported stock brought forward. Sec. 1. — Short-horned Bulls bred in Province, — Mr J. Heslop, bull by Comet, Ist prize. " " bull by Don Juan, 2nd prize. Mr A. McLean, roan bull by CometMr T. Lowry, red and white bull by Comet. Mr J. Francon, bull. Mr H. Alley, bull. Short-horned yearling bulls — Mr T. Tanner, red and white (p.) Mr J. Heslop. Short-horned bull calf, — None entered, Short-horned cows, — Rev Samuel Williams, 2 cows, (p.) Mr G. S. Gooper, 1 •' Mr T. Tanner, 1 " Mr J. Heslop, 2 " (p.) Mr McHardy, 1 " Mr T. Lowry, 1 " Short-horned three-year old heifer, — Mr G. S. Cooper, 1 heifer, (p.) Rev S. Williams, 1 " Mr H; Alley 2

Short-horned two-year old heifer, — Rev S. William, 2 heifers, (p.) Mr J. Heslop, I " Mr J. Franco.), 2 " Sec. II. — Fat Oven, any breed, — Mr J. Francon, 2 oxen Renata, 2 oxen.

Sec. 111. — Best Coty, any breed etecept Shorthorn. Mr J. Heslop, 1 cow, (p.) — Mr Heslop's bulls were much admired, and be carried off the first and second prizes witbout any trouble. There were other very good beasts, but none to come up with Mr Heslop's. The show of cows and heifers was the best of the meeting. For the former two prizes were given— the Rev. S. Williams and Mr Heslop receiving the same. The prize for the 3-year old heifers was given to Mr Cooper for a very -handsome animal ; and for the 2-year olds to the llev. S. Williams — his heifer, however, being very nearly matched by Mr Heslop's strawberry. Two very fine animals, entered as 3-year olds by Mr Alley, were determined by the judges to be over age, and were therefore disqualified to show. No prize was awarded to the exhibitors of fat oxen, it being considered that none of the stock shown were sufficiently good. CLASS 111. -SHEEP/ Judges,— Messrs C. Nairn, Grant, and Condie. The entrances for this class were we regret to say, very disproportionate to the programme, therefore we need not recapitulate as we have done in the case of the first and second classes, — Sec. 1. — Major Whitmore, 2 Saxon Merino Hams, (prize) H. S. Tiffen, pen 3 Saxon ewes (p.) H. S. Tiffen, ram bred in province (p.) , Sec. 2.— Major Whitmore, 4 French Merino i Hams J. Rhodes, 1 ditto (p). J. Rhodes, pen 3 ewes, (p.) Major Whilmore, 6 ewe hoggets— not suf- ; h'ciently good to deserve v prize. Sec. 3. — A, McLean, 5 ewes not thoroughbred (p.) A. McLean, 5 hoggets (p.) A. McLean, 5 wethers (p.) Sec. 5. — J. Rhodes, Liecester ram (p.) J. Rhodes, 2 rain hoggets (p.) j J. Rhodes, 3 ewe hoggets (p.) Hey. S. Williams, Leicester ram Major Whitmore, 4 „ Sec. 5. — Rev. S. Williams, Longwool ram (p.) J. H. Coleman " A. McLean " — The smallness of the show of sheep in so essentially a sheep-growing country is ascribable no doubt to the proximity of shearing, causing

great reluctance on the part ef sheep-farmers to disturb their flocks. Some prizes, in consequence of the want of competition, had doubtless to be given to animals which would have been second class in a larger exhibition. Nevertheless, some superior sheep were shown — Mr Tiffen's Saxon merino ram and pen of ewes, bred at Homewood, were very fine indeed. Mr Rhodes' French merino ram and pen of ewes also merit special notice, likewise his Leicester ram aud Leicester ewe hog-gets. The Leicester ram, bred in the province, took the prize against the imported stock of the Rev. R. Williams. CLASS IV.— PIGS.

Judges. — Messrs Heslop, Powdreli, and Haralin. Sec. 1. — A. McLean, boar, large breed (p.) A. McLean, sow, large breed (p.) J. D. Canning, pen 3 pigs (p.) Sec. 2. — B. D. Danvers, pen 3 pigs (p.) B. D. Danvers, boar, small breed B. D. Danvers, sow, small breed — The boar entered by Captain McLean ' attracted much notice. It was certainly a fine animal, although rather deficient in the hind quarters. There was no competition for this prize. No prize was awarded to the boar and entered by Mr Danvers, owing to some mistake in classing them with Mr McLeans large breed, instead of in section two, as was intended. CLASS V.— POULTRY. The only entry under this class was, — Major Whilmore — Coop Spanish Fowls, To which the prize was awarded. It is a pity, however, that no competition took place — many being in a positiou to enter with but little trouble. CLASS VI.— DOGS. Tie entrances for the best sheep dog were but three— a bitch by Major Whitmore ; a dog by Mr C. A. Browne; and a dog by Mr Heslop. Neither was above mediociity, and no prize was awarded. CLASS VII.— CEBEALS. Neither grain, seeds, nor vegetables were exhibited, if we except a sample of oats, entered by Mr Danvers, but disqualified because imported ; aud a sample of green peas shown by Mr Luff, for which a prize was awarded. CLASS VIIL—IMPLEMEXTS, &c. No implements were exhibited A sheep was shorn very carefully and well by Mr P. Badley, and a prize awarded. Two pairs of horses were entered for the ploughing match, viz : — Mr Chambers. Ploughman, J. Cooper. Mr P. Russell. Ploughman, G. Peebles. Peebles started under the disadvantage of a new plough and hastily borrowed gear, and was compelled to withdraw owing to the plough not being properly set. Cooper came on the ground direct from the plough-field, with all his own gear in perfect order, and made pretty and even work. The horses of the former were handsome and well matched ; those of the latter not so well to look af, but did their work well and steadily. This exciting event wound up the proceedings, which were pronounced to be satisfactory by the spectators, and to constitute good grounds on which to raise a favorable augury for next year's show. By that time ihe reserved leased to the Society will be available for its intended purpose, and substantial pens and yards will, it is hoped, be substituted for the temporary ones in use upoa the recent occasiou. It is also probable that, public attention having now been practically drawn to the importance of the subject, stockholders and agriculturalists will make timeous preparation for future exhibitions, and the want of proper competition for the prizes be no longer a source of regret. While the judges and others interested, did their best to give eclat to the proceedings, it would be wrong, we think, not to specially notice the exertions of Mr J. A. Smith, the Hon. Secretary, efficiently assisted by Mr Danvers, or to acknowledge the courtesy of a stranger — a visitor from Auckland (Mr Robertson)— who willingly gave the committee the benefit of his experience in such matters. Mr Janisch held an auction on the ground, but there seemed to be no bidders. Two hacks fetched £13 10s and £18, and one of Mr Lowry's young bulls fetched £30.