JUDGES AND SHOWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1409, 17 November 1886, Page 3

JUDGES AND SHOWS.

There is no greater or m-To D' (re source of discontent at pa.t'.ral shows than the decisions of the judges. Th- ugh the healths of these gentleman ire n.vanab.; drunk with greG heartiness at the d-.ncr« which Inevitably accompany toe show? there is always a large r a dnum of disc intent and disappointment among those whom their verd c’a 1 avo lef; out .f the prize lift Of coarse it is > n the nature of things that this should be the case; and, as a rule, the probity of she judges is beyond dispute The umi cannot, however, be always said of their ab’lity. There is really no standard by w .ich ho various judges at pastor.il shows can therrse'ves be judged: Mr or another has somehow acquired a repetition In his own and other districts as a judse r f cattle, or sheep cr horses. T e > he find his service?in .ieraaim by pasters! associations, ai:d as the giving of those services is arcompar ied by a< i g through a plearart fmu with some h nor and n ■ expanse. his an vices aie generally place ! cheerfully at tho di p sal tf those wh - require them. Bat, uufi rt'inste’y. a number of those on whose e hi! i s he h«s to pass judgment think themselves qu te as well, if not better, qualified for :hi w;rk. Jf they obtain pr zjs, they do not question bis merits; but if 'hey are j idged “ out of it,” their opinions as to tho merits of the judge become very strongly confirmed. ... No one seems, in Australia, to have sat himself to find a remedy for this sdmittedly unsatisfactory state of things. But, as in many other matters, America can at tim°s give us good hints ; so si e can in this. V e notic ■ that in Chicago a new system of adjud'.cvion f ;r ck ’ and other shosrs is he’ng inaugurate *. In (hs first place, the judges will have to undergo a kind i f examination as to their capahilities. That d; es not setm an uuneceseaty requ rercei’ from those who will have subsequently to j edge as experts. Ntx f , the awa-de In each section or group of a ci-ss are to be mane by three judges without consultation Each judge will be<xj?c el t? form hia own opinion, and to reduce il e results there f to writing, wi’hout the aid of either rf his fellow judgfs. Then the majority of ‘ the three votes will decide how the prizes are to go. Thia seems to be a gout , system, and three should telbtie difficulty in working it out here Jf nvght reduce tho number of judges of st ck and of O'her products <.f land in A ui-tialas a, but it would Ic.rce'y increase the efficiency of th s who rctnaindecl, a ini would ( cause ths public to repose c ufidruce in them, T. and C. Journal ;