THE BIG WINTER SHOW.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 847, 20 June 1910, Page 8

THE BIG WINTER SHOW.

OPENS TO-MORROW.

Tho recognised Metropolitan Winter Show of the North Island—the National Dairy Show—is to be opened at Palmerston North to-morrow, and it will lie continued, until Friday night. The Hon. Thomas Mlvenzie, tho Minister for Agriculture, has been invited to formally open the show, but it is uncertain yet whether or not he will be. able to bo present on the first day. The Minister opened the last winter show, and then expressed a desire to be present at the association's futuro functions. The association has aimed at making the display of milking machinery the most striking of tho leading features of tho show. A building 80ft. by 30ft. lias been specially reserved, so that that exhibition may bo featured to tho greatest advantage. Bails havo been erected, and fivo kinds of milking machines will bo seen .in actual operation. Other mechanical devices of interest to factory managers and directors and to tho farmers in general will bo exhibited. In the factory butter classes the cash prizes total ,£IOO in one class alone, and in addition there is the. Weddell Challenge Cup (25 guineas). There are numerous other big butter and cheese prizes, and the entries in the classes for the two familiar articles of dairy produce are eighty in advance of last year's total. In one class thcro are thirty-eight entries, and in. another thirty-three. The factories represented includo South Island and Auckland manufactories. Tho State Dairy Commissioner, Mr. I. Cuddie, and -his staff will judge the dairy produce. .The Government will again display apples. Last year's exhibition was ii remarkable one of immenso educational value. Tho .£lO prize offered by tho association in one class is said to bo tho biggest fruit stake in Australasia. . j Farm roots (to which the Luxford' 1 Shield, valued 30 guineas, is 'devoted), potatoes (E.H.S, medal), larm seeds and farm produce,. school gardens, home industries, and poultry will also be interesting and instructive departments. Mr. J. Blake, the well-known' dairy farmer and engineer, and inventor of the Simplex milker, announces that the machine may be seen every day of the Winter Show in the machinery hall near the entrance. Mr. Blake has been dairying for the past eleven years, and beihg 'an engineer by trade, he ■ interested himself in milking machines. The result is the Simplex, and to prove its worth Mr. Blako ; states that already this season he has installed over one hundred machines. The Ridd Milking Machine Company announces that it will give milking machine demonstrations daily on the grounds at the Winter Show. Cow bails and cov-ered-in-spaee have been secured, with plenty of accommodation for farmers, and Messrs. A. Kidd, the well-known inventors of the machine, with Mr. T. B. Sutton, engineer,. will be in' attendance to give full information to farmers. It is ihtcrtesting to note that, Mr. Ridd has been studying and experimenting for the past twenty years, and his present mechanism lie considers to be' far superior to any other make. ... WANGANUI A. &. P. ASSOCIATION. MONTHLY MEETING. . The monthly meeting of the Wanganui Agricultural Association was held in the secretary's office, on Thursday afternoon. Mr. R. Russell presided. Mr. Gordon Austin was', elected a member: '.- ■ ' • Mr. Smith submitted, a draft, schedule of home' industries, produce)'art, ''technical and public schools, and grain classes, for the most, part similar to last year's. The prize-nioney has - been-slightly increased. : '

.Mr. Gregor M'Gregor .promised a special prizo of half a guinea for Hie best essay on the "Native Fauna." Tho ignorance displayed by the young New Zoalanders of their ..native fauna was deplorable, he said. Many of them did not know their commonest native trees. .

. . Mr. J. H. Burnet offered a special prize of £2 2s. for the,best design for a' medal for the Agricultural Association. _ , The secretary reported .that, in .response to a circular issued, the following had offered prizes for tho forthcoming show:—Messrs. .1. H. Burnet, i»; A. Butnett, £Z 35.; J. Thain, £1 Is.; E. Russell, £2 25.; A. Robinson, £\ Is.; .T. Hodges, £2. 25.; Messrs. Russell and Bignell, £2 25.; George.and Kerelejy £1 Is.; Jackson and Co., .£3 35.;, Miss Eraser, 10s. 6d.; Mrs. Msirtin, 305.; "Chronicle" Co., ,£3 35.; Messrs. C. Jl Wray, 10s.; "H. E. Shacklock, Ltd., £1 Is.; Hatrick and Co., £1 25.; Bing, Harris, and Co., .£1 Is.; and Stewart, Davyson, and Co., £% 2s.