Thursday.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3819, 12 October 1883, Page 2

Thursday.

The popular day of the show, the day that has always been observed as a general holiday, did not look too temp tin g"f or an outing, but as towards eleven o'clock tho rain held off the trains were started with crowded carriages. On arrival at the show ground, hoAvever, it was plainly er-o.v.yh to be seen that tho most of the ho r d ty makers had exhibited their discretion by spying at Hastings. It was not till t2.'wccn one and two o'clock in the afternoon that the ground became well attended, and by that time there was a larger number of visitors than we remember seeing on a similar occasion. The Riffo Volunteer Company, accompanied by the garrison band, combined military duty Avith pleasure, and held a daylight parade, going through several evolutions, skirmishing, Avith blank cartridge, &c, in a paddock adjoining the society's estate. A cricket match between the Taradale and the Civil Service Club was held on the lawn in the centre of the course, the game being Avon by the latter by one innings and twolvc runs. Later on, tho horse parade, trotting, and leaping matches attracted attention, and afforded amusement.

The cattle claimed our first notice. There Avere only 44 entries, and not all of theso put in an appearance. The absence of the Duchess of Chamburgh with her calf by Riby Knight was a disappointment, but it Avas unavoidable, the cow boing lamo and unable to travel. Mr A. Mcllardy and tho Rca'. S. Williams, as on former years, were the principal exhibitors, and sent a few choice representatives of their young stock. The Hon. H. R. Russell showed some young well-bred beasts as did also Mr Ormond and Mr AVelfwood. None of the animals however, were "got up " for the show, and to visitors from such places as Christchurch, for instance, the exhibition of cattle must have appeared extremely poor both as regards numbers and condition. It has never been, hoAvever, tho fashion in HaAvke's Bay to attempt by outward show to deceiA-e the eye of the unwary. The adage about fine feathers making fine birds may bo true enough for the million, but in the matter of live stock judges are not to bo deceived. The few beasts that Avero shoAvn Avere in tho rough, somo of them very much in the rough, but their magnificent proportions, and excellent points offered the best guarantee of their blood. In class 41—heifer 15 months and under 27 months—there Avero eight exhibits OA'ery one of them receiving an award from tho judges. Tlie Hon H. R. Russell's Lady Oxford, a beautiful animal, obtained tho first prize; Mr McHardy's Duchess of Chamburgh II ,the second ; and the Rev. S. AVilliams' exhibit the third honor. The Hon. Mr Russell with his grand bull Lord Raglan took the first prize for his class and the champion cup, while to Mr McHardy Avas awarded the championship for his cow Duchess 111.

The shoAV of horses calls for little remark. In thoroughbreds there wore no entries of cither two or three-year-old colts, or of yearling and three-year-old fillies; and there were only three entries of mares four years old and upwards. Mr J. Heslop showed a very handsome well grown yearling colt by Musket, which he has named Arch or, and of Avhich more Avill doubtless be heard in course of time. Mr AY. Douglas' 2-year-old filly by Jav'lin was another attractive lookingyoungster, asJAvas also Capt. Russell's Leolinus' filly Tigredia. Sator, looking in grand condition, Pohukura, Otupai, Templeton, and St. Patrick were the only representatives of the thorough- --" bred sires of the district. Tho show of draught horses Avas very good, though the entries were by no means numerous. Mr R. AYolhvood took tho championsliip award I with Marquis, thus beating Mr R. D. M'Loan's recent purchase from the south for which ho gave £750. In three-year-old colts thero was close competition, the judges spending three-quarters of an hour in coming to a decision which Avas eventually given in favor of Mr Tanner's Overdraft, Mr Heslop being aAvarded the second prize. Mr Ormond took first prize for a grand colt by Robin Adair, and with the same animal the special prize offered by Mr John Heslop. Mr Gaisford once again was adjudged first place for his weight carrier Glaucus, and Mr H. M. Smith's racer Fear Not took a similar honor for light weight. The trial of ladies' hacks attracted a large croAvd the horses being ridden by ladies; the aAvard Avas giA'cn to Mr G P. Donnelly's by Atlantic. There Avas a very pretty trial betAveen two pairs of carriage horses, Captain Russell's and Mr D. Cotton's, tho prize deservedly going to the latter. The entries under the headings of Farm Produce and Provincial Produce were few in number, and not particularly striking. There Avere only three pigs exhibited, and we have scarcely over seen a poorer collection of dogs. Of poultry thero were but fourteen exhibits, several classes being unrepresented. In the " any breed " class the first prize went to Mrs Hamblyn for a pair of bantams, and somo dissatisfaction was expressed in consequence, the general feeling being that Mr Simmons' buff cochins (avlucli, by the way, although only - eight months old, Avere entered as adults) should have received the honor. However, that may be but a matter of opinion. Tho shoAV of butter Avas small, but several of the exhibits Avero really good, and woro got up in tempting style. Cheese and cured meats Avere conspicuous by their absence, as were also leather, basketAvare, tallow, and casks. Indeed the paucity of exhibits in the produce shed was not creditable to the proA'ince. Mr SAyan showed a very nice sample of malt, from barley grown by Messrs Russell Bros., Flaxmere, and malted by the exhibitor. The " extra exhibits " as a Avholo proA'ed not the least interesting portion of the blioav. The Kaiapoi AVool lon Company contributed a fine assortment of tweeds, serges, coatings, blankets, rugs, and made-up clothing, which Avere much admired by visitors There were no other exhibits of a similar character, and three first prizes were awarded to tho Kaiapoi Company. Mr Thomas _ Liddell •gain exhibited some excellent specimens of white and blue starch, farina, farinaceous food, glucose, and British gum, made from wheat and potatoes by tho exhibitor. Theso articles, hoivevor, shortly after noon, looked rather tho Avorse for the heavy shower of rain that fell just previously, the ricketty dismal old shed in which produce is shown not being water-proof. Some effort should certainly be made to pro vide a respecttable place for perishable goods, otherwise it cannotbe expected that entries will benumerous. Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co. showed a Solway wool press that can bo worked by one man, which Avas an objoefc of consider* able interest. A case of jewellery from tho establishment of Mr F. AY. Collins, Napier, received a large share of attention. All the articles contained therein, embracing gold sots, necklets, bracelets, rings, scarf pins, lockets, trophies, greenstone and quartz pendants, &c, were manufactured by the exhibitor, and would bear comparison Avith any imported goods, besides/ having tho advantage of more solid workmanship. AYe noticed a very pretty brooch and ear-rings, amongst others, made of nautilus shells set in gold, which were purchased immediately after being uncovered.

The entries of buggies and implements, although not numerous, were good, the vehicles being ono aud all highly creditable to our local coach builders, Mr J. Forster and Mr G. Faulkner. A striking featuro about the buggies Avas their cheapness, combined Avith strength and elegance, nor Avere they simply made for show, as in nearly every instanco they wero built to order and sold prior to being brought upon the ground. The style and finish of the iron work Avere the subject of much favorable comment, aud showed the skill of tho workmen avlio had been engaged on same. Mr Forster carriod away three first and ono second prizes in this class, and was very highly commended for a handsome single-seated buggy. Mr Paulknor took one first and two second prizes, and was also commended for a fine substantial double-seated buggy, Avhich was ticketed at the moderate prico of jCSO. Tho

same exhibitor showed an exceedingly neat spring cart, which, hoAvever, Avas not awarded a prize. There Avero also several -- farm drays with various improvements and of great strength shown by Mr G. Faulknor, of Napier, and Mr A. Jones, of AVaipukurau. The latter gentleman Avas the only exhibitor of locally manufactured agricultural implements. His collection was, as usual, a A r ery good ono, and showed Avhat can he done in that direction in Hawke's Bay, Space will not admit of our referring at length to exhibits in this class, suffice it to say that the horse rakos, ploughs, disc aud chain harrows, reaping and mowing machines, seed soAvers, &c, sent by Messrs Murray, Roberts and Co., and Mr A. Jones, possessed a vast interest for those visitors whose fancy had a leaning towards husbandry. THOROUGHBRED HORSES. {Entitled to be classed A. or P., N.Z. Stud Book.) Judges—Messrs J, G. AVilson and J. C. Vnlhinio. Class 1, Yearling Colt, foaled since August Ist, 1882.—1, J. Heslop. Class 4, Entire Horse, 4-years-old or upwards.—l and Champion, P. Gow, c h Sator. Class 6, 2-year-old Filly. —1, AY. Douglas, br f Christina ; 2. AY. R. Russell, br f Tigredia. Class 9, Mare, any age, in foal or with foal at foot.—l, AY.'Douglas, b m Cascade. {Not entitled to compete in A. and B. classes. Class 10, 3-year-old Colt.—l, P. J. Murtagh, b c Templcton. Class 11, Entire Horse, 4-year-old or upwards.—l, P. J. Murtagh, c h St. ;2, AY. M. Broughton, c h Otupai. Class 13, Mare, 4-year-old or upAvards.— 1, AY. Douglas, bin Sweetbriar; 2, R. AVellwood br m Brunette. Class 14, Mare, any age, in foal or foal at feet.—l, AY. Douglas, b m Phoenix.