THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Auckland Star, Volume IV, Issue 1180, 13 November 1873, Page 3

THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

It is scarcely necessary to dwell at any great length on the merits of the various departments included in yostorday's show, inasmuch as the long list of entries, with the judges' awards thereon published last evening, indieato to all readors who paid attention to it tho nature, extent, and quality of exhibits gathered together at Newmarket yesterday. The department of local industry especially was inferior to that of last year, there being fewer entries by twenty-seven. This is the natural result of the removal of the show to such a distance from the city, and thus the most attractive part of the exhibition to visitors unacquainted with the technical knowledge necessary to create an interest in pens of pure-bred cattle and sheep was robbed of many of its most interesting features. As usual, tho saddlery and harness exhibited was particularly good ; three firms contributed to make this class very complete—Mr James Wiseman, Messrs. E. Forster & Sons, and Mr W. S. Jones. Mr Wiseman's collection was very complete, and was really a credit to his establishment. It well deserved the prizes which it secured. Messrs Forster's collection was also really excellent. Their stockman's saddle obtained a first prize, and not simply commendation as stated yesterday. Mr A. Kennedy exhibited strongly - made collars and a good cart-saddle. Mr Jones's goods were strong and well finished, but were chiefly imported. Mr H. H. Smith obtained a first prize for colonial made ovens and ranges and Mr. Brown was awarded the second prize. Mr G. R. McCrae's collection of cooper's work was a feature in the show ; it included strong and well-finished dairy utensils of every description. One wooden bottle exhibited in this department contained 549 pieces of different coloured woods, with siver hoops. The wood was inlaid, and the whole work is very beautiful. Miss Pennall's personal exhibition of her sewing machines attracted much attention, and will doubtless increase the sale of her specialty in this branch of hand-saving labour. The biscuit and bread exhibited by Mr John Lamb, of Riverhead, was all manufactured from provincial grown wheat; - the bread being baked by Mr David Grubb of Karangahape Road. The result is a proof of the excellence of our own wheat and its adaptability for every purpose. The fancy biscuits are of all sizes and shapes, and bear the maker's stamp in clear letters, impressed by a machine lately imported by Mr Lamb. The exhibition of pottery by Mr Joshua Carder included flowerpots, chimney-pots, butter-jars, waterbottles, and ornamental pottery, and well deserved a first-class prize. Carder Brothers exhibited first-class drain-pipes, tiles, &c. This rising industry is one of the most successful carried on in Auckland, and deserves support. Soap and candles from local manufactories wero very well represented. Wh.de such goods as those shewn by Messrs. Allender and Warnoek Brothers are being sent out by our own makers we do not wonder at foreign soaps being completely shut out. Mr Allender's blue mottled soap was of especially good quality and was awarded a first prize. Wo understand it iis rapidly gaining public) £avor v Tho

I miniature sulky, manufactured by | Messrs Cousins and Atki'u, to tho order of Dr Wright, is a very neat piece of workmanship, and rivals the doctor's original and well-known gig. Mr E. W. Gotch was to the front with his tobacco, cigars, and snuff of local growth and manufacture, which are now well-known beyond the limits of the province, 'f he strong carts by Duane and Bruce, and Mr J. S. Currie, were a'so noticeable. Mrs J. S. Macnarnara's knitted quilt was a feature which stood prominent from its singularity, and Mrs Borth wick's woollen socks and woollen yarn corded, spun and knitted by the exhibitor, were very creditable. Amongst the manufacturers of agricultural machinery, Mr J. Wallace, of Otahuhu, stood out prominently. His double furrow plough, with lifting lever and self-acting turning bridle, was especially praised by judges of such implements. In this plough Mr Wallace has accomplished what English manufacturers have as yet failed in securing —namely the _turning of the plough by a single hand. A broadcast seed-sowing machine, made by Mr J. Wallace, the first yet manufactured in the colony, was also examined with much interest by agriculturists. It is equally well adapted for spreading bono dust. Messrs Craig and Johnson's harrows were good durable implements. We regretted the absence of some Auckland makers who have before excelled ■■•■at tho shows, and who were doubtless precluded from exhibiting by the holding of tho exhibition out of town. The imported agricultural implements, shewn by Messrs E. Porter and Co., T. aud S. Morrin, aud J. Smart wore excellent, and included a very good variety of farm tools. The dog show was better than that of last season. The dairy cows were also mono numerous and of better description than at the last show, but the sheep, horses, and pouliry wero not up to the mark. Great complaint was made regarding the practice of charging visitors every time they passed from the agricultural to tlio horticultural show. This was nothing less than a rank swindle, and tho committee should guard against the possibility of a recurrence of such extortion by inserting a clause in the rules on which the i/atcs are sold.

THE DINNER

The usual dinner was held in the evening on the ground, when about one hundred persons sat down to dinner, His Honor tlio Superintendent in the chair. The liberality of the committee was manifested in tho fact that not ono invitation had been issued to any member of the City Council. Considering tho exertions of the city authorities to furthor the interests of country settlers, this omission shews unpardonable meanness. The usual toasts were drunk, and speeches made by various gentlemen connected with agricultural pursuits. There was, however, a marked lack of the mercantile element.