THE METROPOLITAN SHOW.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1095, 8 November 1883, Page 2

THE METROPOLITAN SHOW.

[by our special reporter.] [by telegraph ] Christchurch, To-day. The opening day of the show was favored with glorious weather. There was an excellent attendance of the public and great interest was manifested in the various exhibits. The number of entries this year not only exceeds those in previous ones, but the quality is better throughout. In sheep there are 96 pens of merinos, the wool on the whole showing great improvement on former exhibits both in density and length of staple. Messrs R Campbell and Sons, John Horton, Alexander McMaater .and W. H. Teschemaker ate the most prominent exhibitors in this class. In the Leicester* there are 126 entries the N.Z.L. and A. Co and Mr P.

C. Thrclkeld being the largest contributors. Some splendid animals in this department of the show came from the South, from the estates of the Hoa M. Holmes and Mr John Reid of Oamaru, the two last named gentlemen have here a large number in the Lincoln class, and Mr E. Menlove is also to the fore. Five pens of Hampshire Down sheep shown by Messrs Dudley and Northey attracted considerable attention. Among cattle, perhaps, the most noticeable are the three short-horned bulls sent from Auckland by the New Zealand Stud and Pedigree Stock Co. Mr John Grigg has here some fine specimens of young stock, while Mr Wm. Boag exhibits some Devon bulls which were bred on the Longbeach estate. In the class for horses there are included nearly all the well-known draught entires in this island entered, and there is also a large number of young draughts. The blood stock is as usual not so numerous, but the list includes some well known sires, such as Trump Card, Bundoora and Idalium. In the implement class there is the large entry of 377, of these Messrs Booth and McDonald are the largest contributors with 86, Raid and Gray come next with 57, P- and D. Duncan following close with 51. Kverything is not in order yet, and it would be impossible to give anything like an idea of the show at present. The arrangements are eminently satisfactory, and reflect great credit on the Secretary, Mr Murphy. The universal verdict is that the show is by far the best ever held in Canterbury, and it is doubtful if it could be beaten in any city south of the line. Should the weather continue fine, it is easy to predict an enormous attendance to-morrow.