MANAWATU SHOW.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1275, 2 November 1911, Page 8

MANAWATU SHOW.

OPENING DAY. FURTHER LIST OF HONOURS. FEATURES OF THE DISPLAY. (Special Reporter.) Palmerston, November I. With the steady importation of pedigree stock, the growth of herd-testing, and a gmcral tendency to grade-up, farmers in all quarters are evincing even more interest than heretofore in the various A. and P. shows. At no show in the North. Island probably are the above features moro' in evidence than at the Palmerston shows, the call of which draw farmers together from all quarters of the island.' Farmers of all classes have given themselves up for the time being to the joys of the twenty-sixth annual Palmerston A. and P. Association's spring show, and, 011 every hand, time is evidence—and striking evidence, too—of the progress and fertility of the north. To the rural worker the show is a? the theatre to the townsman, with the exception that the farmer is a* keen and sound 'critic of his entertainment and reaps in return a general knowledge which is repaid later in hard cash. This year's gathering is not behind its predecessors in,size and importance, although the stock entries in some classes show a. slight falling off in numbers. -In tho Holstein Friesian cattle class, however, there is a considerable increase, the exhibits including some of the recent importations from America. In sheep the popular Eomney class stands about the samo as last year. Most of tho wellknown breeders of the North Island are exhibiting. . The weather broke fine this morning, but clouded over as the day progressed until eventually a gloomy sky threatened the visitors, and a heavy wind drove across tho ground, and made things slightly unpleasant.

In the cattle classes Shorthorns are well represented, amongst the breeders entering being Messrs. W. T. Williams, Hawke's Bay; G. A.-Turner, Eltham; and Wm. Taylor, 'l'e Awamutu. liuthe Hereford class the principal exhibitors are Messrs. E. Short, Fending, and G- F. Moore, Koi Iwi. Ayrshires stand mostly in tho names of the Porirua Mental Hospital, and Messrs. Slack' Bros., Palmerston, and W. !'• Harre, of Rata.

Jerseys occupy a . prominent position, all the best-known breeders of this popular strain being to the fore. In the Holstein class already referred to, the Department of Agriculture and Mr. W. I. Lovelock are the principal exhibitors. There will •bo a fairly good showing of dairy cattle other than purebreds, and the s-amo applies to fat cattle: Lincolns and Kom-ney Marsh easily, lead tho' sheep classes, but the other classes are also strong. There is an average display of pigs. ■' • Horsss always provide a strong class at the Palmerston Show, and this year is 110 exe'ention, tho showing being an excellent'one, particularly in tho hack and draught classes. The agricultural machinery exhibits make a brave showing, and comprise some particularly fine work. One of the features of the complete work, as it stands to-day is that of t'he art and technical schools class which has been the centre of tho attractions under cover.

' A new feature of the show this year is the opening of tho exhibition halls at night' and this will provide entertainment in plenty for the many visitors. Sideshows occupy a prominent position 011 the ground, and to-morrow and Friday will he their harvest days.

Commenting on- the art the judge of tho Technical Schools sections stated that tho class of work right through was well up to tho standard, while designing showed a marked improvement. The studies of heads from life were very even and tho landscape status good.

Mr. li. J. Bardie Shaw, judge of the photographic section, said t'l'.at the winning landscape had gained first place for artistic merit and good composition though, photographically, it was low in tone. The second placed exhibit was a very good photograph of good tone, and nicely printed. Taking tho exhibit's as a whole there was an improvement 011 the two previous years in both technical and artistic work.

His Excellency the Governor arrived this afternoon, and was met and welcomed by the president of t'he association (Mr. A. Conway). Lord' Islington is staying at tho residence of Mr. Goring Johnston and will remain here until Friday.

To-day has been taken up mostly by preliminary judging, and some of tho earlier competitions. The real work of allocating animals in the cattle and sheep classes has been set down for to-morrow. The contest for"best gentleman rider resulted in a close "go" between A. Mitchell, of Manai, and H. Hassal, of Hastings. The judges were unable to separate the pair, and so bracketed them for first honours. The prize for best barebacked riding went to D. A. Bennett, of Awaliuri The driving competition attracted a satisfactory field, the winner turning up in H. Roberts, of Folding.

Mrs. J. Goring Johnston won the award for the lady's pony turnout, with Mrs. Ernest Herst's entry (driven bv Miss G. Guthrie) Mrs. Short s Dinizulu was successful in the maiden hunters' competition. Tho shoeing competition was carried off by Mr. D. Donogliue, of Kilbirnie, who also won the event last year.

As is frequently the case at New Zealand shows, there were not very large entrio.? in the pig section. In the Berkshire division there was fair competition, and the cjuality of the animals was excellent. Mr. B. Perrett, who judged them, remarked that they were tile best Berkshjres which ho had judged in the North Island for many a day. The Yorkshires, ho considered," were fairly good. All interesting entry was a young curlv-coatcd Lincoln boar, bred by Mr. Board, of the Waikato. THE JUDGES. . The judges are as under:— Horses.—Leaping, hunters, and ring eevnts—Messrs. Harry Newman and J. W. Freeman. . Harness horses—Mr. HamNewman (Nolson)._ Saddle horses and ponies—Mr. J. W. Freeman (Waimate). Draught horses—Mr. P. Davidson (Washdyke). Shoeing'and veterinary examination of entries—Captain Young (Hawera), and Mr. Clayton (Wauganui). Cattle.—Shorthorn—Mr. E. A. Campbell (Wanganui). Herefords — Mr. Alex. M'Kenzie (Fealherston). Ayrshires—Mr. J. Parlane (Cashmere). Jerseys—Mr. W. M. Tapp (Ellerslie). Holsteins —Mr. C. T. Barriball (Waiuku). Dairy—Mr. D. Watkin (Huiroa). Fat stock—Mr. W. Richmond (Tomoann);.

Sheep.—Lincolns—Mr. J. I?. M'Elwain (Waiuku). Romney rams—Mr. R. W. Matthews (Featherston). Romney ewesMr. Edwin Harding (Dargaville). English Leicest'ers —Mr. W. B. Andrews, jun. (Southbridge); Border Leiccsters—Mr. W. B. Andrews, jun. (Southbridge). Southdowns— Mr. J. Deans (Riccarton). Other breeds—Mr. W. Little (Argyll). Fat. stock —Mr. W. Richmond (Tomoana). Fleece and seeurcd wool—Mr. E. L. Lees (Wellington).

Pigs—All classes—Mr. B. Perrott (Sandon).

Dogs.—Bull dogs, collies, St. Bernnrds, pugs, pomcraninns, pointers, setters, hounds other than harriers, and toy breeds—Mr. IT. S. Ivylo (Christchurch). Terriers, spaniels, and harriers—Mr. R. G. Makiu (Levin). ■ Coursing Club CupMr. S. Johnston (Palmerston North). Arts and Industries.—Photogranhv—Mr. Hardie Shaw (Wellington). Technical School work—"Mr. L. ,T. Watkins (Feilding). Architectural and mechanical drawing and woodwork—Mr. H. do J. Cloro (Palmerston North). Public School writing—Mr. G. D. Braik (Wanganui). Public School drawing—Mr. G. H. Elliott (Palmerston North). Public School modellingMr. E. N. Clark (Wanganui). Home industries—Mr. W.' S. Dustin (Waneanui). Needlework and art sewing—Mrs. Hamcrton (Wellington).