URUGUAY'S EMBASSAGE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1381, 6 March 1912, Page 8

URUGUAY'S EMBASSAGE.

■SIGHT-SEEING AT FEILDING. , (Fiom Our Own Correspondent.) Feilding, Mnrch 5. 'i'ho six Commissioners, from Uruguay, who are touring the Dominion, came over to Feilding by motor-car' from Palniei , - ston yesterday evening. They were met by Mr. Ernest Short, president of tho Feilding A. and P. Association, and, with some forty representative men of this coast, were entertained at dinner nt tho Denbigh Hotel by Mr. Short. At the <linner the visitors were officially welcomed by a member .of the Borough Council, in tho absence of the Mayor of Feilding (Mr. E. Goodbehete), who was indisposed. After dinner, which was of a private nature, Mr. Short entertained the whole party at tho Lyceum Theatre, where a scries of special pictures of Feilding (taken recently by Pathe Freres' expert) were screened. These included scenes at Mr. Short's stud farm at Parorangi, and the animals exhibited included tne Romney sheep which took the world's championship at tho Argentine Show. This morning, Mr. Short took tho visitors by motor-cars to his stud farm it Almadale, visiting, on the way, tho Southdown studs of Messrs. James Knight, Hector Booth, and Hugh Burrell, at Almadale. Mr. Short concentrated his stud liomney sheep, Clydesdalo horses and cattle for inspection by the visitors, and there was a very largo attendance of farmers from the coast to see the show of stock and to meet tho visitors.

A Great Show of Stock. A very large number of farmers from Sandon, Palmerston, Kiwitea, and tho surrounding districts, including Mr. Buick, M.P., availed themselves of Mr. Short's invitation to visit Almadale. It was the general opinion amongst tho farmers of tho district that the exhibition of stock, much of which had been brought down from Parorangi for the occasion, was really excellent—better, in fact, as ono farmer said, than could bo seen at an A. and P. show, because there, were no poor exhibits at Almadale. The first visit was made to the farm of Mr. James Knight, where tho Commissioners were shown the imported Southdown ewes from the flock of Sir J. Colman. One, a two-tooth, was first and champion at the Royal Show jin England. In fact, it was never beaten. Another was second at the Royal. One ewo imported by Mr. J. E. Knight has even beaten the Royal champion at local shows. The ram and flock ewes camo in for commendation by the visitors, and Mr. Knight was asked whether he would send some animals to Uruguay on order, and he replied in the affirmative. ' Tho next visit was to the flock of Mr. H. J. Booth. Hβ and Mr. Hugh Bnrrell purchased some good Southdowns at Mr. Stuckcy's sale, and founded a flock in partnership. They have now dissolved the partnership and have each founded, a flock. In each case the export pf early lambs is the prime motive. The high quality of each line exhibited indicated now successful they have been. At Almadale the visitors were shown twenty of the best mares and foals of Mr. Short's Clydesdale horses. Four of these have won championships this year. The foals are mostly by Royal Treasure (imp.), and one by Lonsdale Again (imp.). Also forty yearling bullocks (Herefords), 150 cows and calves, 100 Shorthorn steers, 100 Hereford steers, 20 yearling and twoyear fillies, 11 yearling and 2-year stallions, 900 two and four-tooth Romney ewes, four imported bulls, Thelma, tho Clydesdale mare that was show champion at Feilding and Wanganui, Lady Graceful, unbeaten, and several other lines, all making an exhibition of stock the equal of which has never before been viewed on ono farm in the district, and possibly in the Dominion. A little exhibition wa3 given of horsejumping, a form of sport new , to the Commissioners, An Interesting Interview, Senor Juan Alvarez, one of the Commissioners who is himself a practical farmer, and owns a run on which there are about 70,000 sheep, stated to a "Star" representative that he was satisfied that the sheep he saw are the best he has yet seen in any part of tho -world. He particularly remarked on the general good quality of the wool on every part of the carcase, in which respect he said they.were superior to tho best animals in England. In regard to the Hereford cattle, Senor Alvarez said the particular point noticeable about the superiority of these animals was the splendid development of the hindquarters and rumps. The Commissioners, he said, so far are very well pleased with the stock they, have seen in Now Zealand, and in all probability their visit • will result in purchases from New Zealand, especially of Romney sheep. Hitherto the stock in Uruguay has been largely composed of merinos, Lincolns, and Shropshires; but they are now directing their . attention more particularly to the production of a sheep which will produce both good meat and good wool. Their chief markets for meat are Britain and France, and the farmers of Uruguay are reckoning in the future to very largely extend their export of sheep. Tho conditions, he said, in regard to pasture and climate are very similar in New Zealand to those of Uruguay, and ho is.satisfied that sheep, cattle and horses, especially Clydesdales could be imported to Uruguay from New Zealand without their deteriorating in quality—indeed, he thought they might improve.

A Valuable Gift, At the railway station just before tho train left Senor Alvarez, on behalf of tho Commissioners, thanked the farmers of the district and Jlr. Short particularly for the most hospitable reception given to them. It had been even better than they had received elsewhere. They were delighted wit!; the good feeling that had been shown them, and it would do much to bring about a, friendly feeling between tho two countries and no doubt an exchange of good, stock. Mr. Short had made a most generous gift to his Government of a young colt that he had admired and he wished Mr. Short to receive the thanks of his people for the gift. For this valuable colt by Royal Treasure, Mr. Short had previously received an offer of 300 guineas in New Zealand; so that it will bo seen ho is determined to do what ho can to open up trade. Tho visitors proceeded to Hawera after leaving Fcilding.