W.D.A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

Western Star, Issue 454, 18 June 1881, Page 2

W.D.A. & P. ASSOCIATION.

GRAIN SHOW. .This popular annual show was held in the Oddfellows’ Hail on Thursday, and despite several drawbacks, proved, if not equal t«» those of laler years, sufficiently successful to warrant the Association continuing to hold such a mid-winter exhibition. When it was resol ed to inaugurate a cattle show in connection with the Association, a feeling was general that both events could not he carried out in the year, and therefore the grain show would have to be discontinued, as a great many of the exhibits shown at the latter could also be shown at the cattle show in December, and it was thought the district was incapable of supporting both exhibitions. In consequence of this impression getting abroad, many people did not set themselves out to prepare exhibits, and the comparatively short notice given of the event accounts in some degree for the smallness of the number of exhibits. The same reason explains the few exhibits of grain, with the additional one that threshing operations a-e backward in many parts of the district. If the exhibits, however, were not so numereus as at previous shows, the reputation of the district was well maintained by those shown in respect of quality, although perhaps the capabilities of the district were not put in the most attractive light, as we know of many splendid samples of grain and grass seed that were not represented. On the whole, however, the show may fairly be termed a success of so pronounced a character as to warrant the Association continuing to encourage it,without reference to the cattle show, which if confined strictly to an exhibition of stock, need not interfere with it in any way whatever.

The weather' fortunately was exceedingly fine, and induced the attendance of a large number of visitors. The exhibits arrived early in the morning, and were quickly put in position by the attending stewards —Messrs B. Robertson, W. K. Hazlett, Turnbull, W. Walker, and the Acting-Sec-retary (Mr (1. Peatherstone) who deserves the thanks of the Association for the prompt and business-like manner in which all tbe arrangements of the show were carried but. The judges were Messrs Matheson, Cooper, and Porter (Invercargill), Black (Winton), and Grey, and the general satisfaction which their awards gave was the result of their painstaking efforts to arrive at a just decision as to i he relative merits of the 150 entries and 9 exhibits. Their work was completed about 1.30, and shortly afterwards the exhibition was thrown open to (he public In noticing tbe exhibits, the first in importance was wheat, of which there were only four entries, each of which is a refutation of the frequent assertion that tbe district is incapable of producing a good sample of that cereal. Strange to say, it was a blacksmith, with no pretentions to be. an expert farmer, who took first prize with a very dry, clean, and even exhibit weigh--ing 64ilb to the bushel, Mr A. Hall running him pretty close for first honors. Capt. Stevems* lot turned the scale at 65flb, and was considered the best milling grain, but on account of its being mixed, and therefore unsuit, able for seed purposes, the judges awarded the sample third place only. There was no competition in barley, Messrs Willett and Wohlers beimr the only exhibitors of one sample each of provincial and Chevalier barley respectively, for which an hon. cer. was

a wank'd. The| different varieties of oats Induced eight competitors, Mr E. Hazlett, as usual, taking the bulk of the prizes, with grand samples of sparrow hi 11 and sandy sorts, weighing 4Si’b aud’;4Gf!b nor bushel iv.Hpectively. Mr A. Hall’s waa the only lartarian exhibit, and on account of its ox optionally fine quality, notwithstanding there bring no competition, the judges awarded a first p iz»*. The rye grass was pretty equal in quality to that shown in former years, which has gained fur the district the cred’t of producing grass seed which has never been excelled, —a proof of which is the fact that the sample that took a prize at ths Melbourne exhibition was raised by Mr J. E. Turnbull, of Flint’s Bush, although entered by Mr Cleave, of Invercargill. Messrs E. Harriett and J. E. Turnbull were the prize takers, with pure well-cleaned samples weighing 34|lbs and 33-t-lbs each. The exhibits (grass), however, Wel'O not so numerous as might fairly be expected. One .exhibit of timothy, and that of a very moderate quality —• so much so that the judges refused to award a prize—is not ir keeping with the traditions of the district, and as the importance of a district is very frequently gauged by the display at such shows, there is a danger that its prestige will suffer unless settlers will take the troub’e in future to enter samples of their produce at such exhibitions. As already hinted at, it is not because there are no better samples in the district, but rather that settlors will not take the necessary trouble and incur the trifling expense of exhibiting them. But to return to the exhibits. Eoot crops were well represented, there being a very fine display of turnips and potatoes especially. A couple of samples of onions attracted some attention from their excellent quality, and it was with difficulty that the Judges arrived at an award in favor of Mr Beer, Carrots were represented by but one entry —that of Mr W. J. Collins, which was ticketed hon. cer. The fruit-growing capabilities of the district were evidenced by a magnificent display of apples, Mr Marshall showing twenty and Mr Hopcroft twelve different varieties, the awards being made in the order named. Mr Hopcroft also showed a bag of gray peas. The competition iu dairy produce was keen, and [the work of judging the exhibits must have been a trj ing one, as the entries numbered fifteen, thirteen, and ten respectively for fresh, potted, and salt butter alone. MrsJaa. Gumming sh Wed a very neat exhibit of ornamentd butter. Mesdames Jas. Borland, Lindsay, and Fallow were the prize takers for old and new cheem s, As usual in this class, the awards of the judges did not give universal satisfaction ; but it is difficult to please evervone, and people’s tastes differ widely on the merits of this article. The disp’ay of hams and bacon was not an extensive one, bid the quality was most tempting. Mr W. P. Porter, of Invercargill, exhibited pork and beef hams of a very superior quality. The different varieties of poultry were well represented, although some improvement in the mode of exhibiting them might be adopted. The oat cake, scones, and home-made bread formed a very attractive feature of the show, and the public were not slow to put to the test the soundness or otherwise of the judges’ decision on these articles. The eggs shown Were very pretty specimens of hen industry. Garden produce was creditable; variety and condition being all that the most confirmed vegetarian could desire, Mr Collins taking first prize. The same gentleman was the only exhibitor of agricultural seeds—turnips. Scotland’s national dish —a haggis—was represented by a solitary specimen of that dish. It might not be “ worthy o’ a grace as lang ’s my airm,’’ but good evidence of its quality was furnished by the fact that shortly after the exhibition was opened the only thing to denote that there had been such an article on view was the ticket on the plate. A pair of poultry, dressed readv for cooking, was shown by Mrs Marshall, and looked very inviting. Amongst the exhibits were a quantity of potted jelly (Mrs Collie), a very fine vegetable marrow (Capt Hankinson), seed potatoes, -cabbage .plants, and parsnips (WVJ. Collins). The following is the PKTSSE LIST: Grain.

Bea}-. sample of wheat—lst prize, £1 10s ; 2nd, I Os. IX Reidie, 6411b5, I ; A. Hall, 62f lbs, 2; Captain Steven, bon ccr. Four entries.

Best sample of Chevalier barley—lst prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. J. Wohlers, hort cer, r ,one entry. Bent, sample of Provincial barley— lst prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. E. Willett, hon cer. One entry. - ; Best sample of Sandy oats—lst prize, £1 10s: 2nd, 10s. R. HazL tt, 40flbs, 1; I). Anderson, 46ilbs, 2; J. M'Kay, hon cer. Five entries. Best sample of Tartarian oats—lst prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. A. Hall, 441bs, 1. One entry. Beet sample of Sparrowbill oats—lst prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. E. Hazlett, 48|lbs, 1. Two en-trios. ; Best sample of Scotch blrley oats—lst prize, :£1 $ 2nd, 10s. Ho entries in this class. (TRASSES. Best sample of rye crass —Ist prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. R. Hazlett, 34|lbs, 1 5 J. E. Turnbull, 83|lbs, 2; M. Fallow, bon cer. Four entries. Best sample of Cocksfoot—lst prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. No entries. Hest sample of Timothy—lst prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. One entry, j. Wohler. No prize awarded. ~~ "KOCH'S, ScC. Best sample of potatoes (early)—l t pr'ze, £1; 2nd, 10s. j. MTntyre, 1; R. Haz’ett, 2, Fi-o entries. Best sample of potatoes (late) —Ist prize, £1 j 2nd, 10s. J. M'Kay, 1; M. Fallow, 2 ; D. Collie, hon cer. Nine entries. Beeljf sample of turnips (Swedish) —Ist. prize, £L; 2nd, 10s. W. Hoperoft, I; W. K. Ilozlett, 2 } J. R. Turnbull, bon cer. Eight entries. Best sample field turnips— i lst prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. Hr ITodg-lvinßon, 1; W. Hopcroft, .2'. Sit entries. Best sample onions (£ewt) —Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. A. Boer, 1. Twoentries. Best sample of carrots (lewt) —Ist prize, £1 ; 2nd, 10s. W- J. Collins, hon cor. One entry. Best collection of apples—lst prize. £1; 2nd, 10s. J. Marshall, 1 ; W. Hoperoft, 2. Two entries.

juinr produce. Best, pair old cheeses—lst prize, £1 ; 2nd* 10s. Mrs Jas. Borland, 1; Mrs Lindsay, 2. Three entries. Best pm'r new cheeses —lst prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. Mrs Fallow, 1 ; Mrs Jus. Borland, 2 } Mrs Lindsay, lion tier. Four Pnlri-«. . Best frtsb hotter (2lb)—lst prize. £t i 2nd. 10s. Miss M‘Kav. 1; Mm J A Hall 2; Mrs Lin say and Mrs Fallow, hoti cer. Fifteen entries. B-'st potted butter (21h) —Ist prize. £1 j 2nd 10s. Mrs JBlackstock, 1 ; Miss M‘Kuy, 2. Thirteen entries. Best salt butter (21b)—l»t priZe, £l; 2nd, 10s. Mrs Jas. Camming, 1; Mrs Lindsay* 2 ; Miss MTntyre, hon der. Ten entries. ‘ Best ornamental butter—lst priZe, £1; 2nd, 10s. Mrs Jas. Gumming* hon cef: Ond entry. HAMS AND BACOJt; Best dried ham—lst prize, £1; 2nd, ids, J. Vaughan, I; W. K. Hazlett, 2. Fire eu» tries. Best rolled beef ham—let prize, £l; 2nd, 10s; No entries. Best side of haeon—lst prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. Capt. Hankinson, 1; VV. Hopcroft, 2. Two entries. Beat rolled bacon—lst prize, £1; 2nd, 10s. J. Vaughan’s was the only entry, for which a second prize was awarded. POULTBT. Best Spanish cock and two hens—lst prize* 10s ; 2nd, ss. A, Weir, 1. Two entries. Best Brahmapootra cock and two hens— l Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, ss. One entry. No award. .t . ( Best barn-door coek and two hens—lst prize, 10s ; 2nd, ss. J. Marshall, 1, Three entries. Best bantam cock and two hens—lst prize, 10s; 2nd, os. R. Hazlett, 1; Miss A. Robertson, 2. Fi"o entries.: Best game cook and two hens—lst prize, 10s; 2nd, ss. No entry. Best Hamburg cock and two hens—lst prize, lOs; 2nd,-ss. L. Jamieson, 1. Two entries. Best Cochin China cook and two hens —Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, ss, Q. Lee, hon cer. One entry. Best turkey cock and two hens—lst prize, 10s; 2nd, o». J. M'lntyrs, 1; W. Hopcroft, 2. Three entries. Best Aylesbury drake and two ducks —Ist prize, 10s; 2nd, 55., J. Vaughan, !; Two entries. Best common drake and two ducks—lst prize, IQs; 2nd, ss. W. Hopcroft, 1; G. Willis, 2. Five entries. ; VARIOUS. ' : ~ j Best sample oat cake —Ist prize, lOs j 2nd, 6s. Mrs Learmonth, 1; Mrs J. B. Turnbull, 2. Three entries. t Best sample, home-made bread—lst prize, 10s; 2nd, ss. Mrs Fallow, 1; Mrs J. A. Hall, 2. Five entries. Best sample scones—lst prize, 10s; 2nd, ss. Mrs James Hay, 1; Miss B. A. Galder, 2. Four entries. _. , . . Best bosket of eggs, 2 doz—lst prize,TOs % 2nd, 5«. Mrs Lindsay, ■I ; Mrs J. R. l urnbull, 2. Three entries. Best collection of garden produce—lst prize, £l. W. J. Collins, 1. Two entries. Best colFclion of agricultural seeds—lst prize, £l. No entry. Best made haggis—lst prize, 10s. Mrs Fraser’s was the dulv entry, for which an hort cer. and a special prize of a riding whip were granted.

Best two pair poultry, dressed ready fot* c okiug—lst prize, 10s. Mrs Marshall, thd only entry, was awarded a special prize of it pair of infant’s boots.