A. AND P. SHOW.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2216, 21 October 1907, Page 2

A. AND P. SHOW.

A RECORD SUCCESS LOOKED FOR.

If the weather he at all favorable Secretary Porter is confident that this year’s Show, which, onens to-morrow, will mark a new epoch in the history of the Association. With record entries, a creator variety of exhibits, better accommodation on the grounds, and a bigger population to work on, he seems justified in looking for the most successful gathering that has yet been seen in tile Hay. Though the intervention of Sunday naturally interrupted the work of preparation, the Show grounds, nevertheless, presented a fairly busy appearance during the dnv. Owners of side-shows .arrived to “peg out their claims,” and a few small lots of stock were .brought on to the ground. .Amongst the latter were the exhibits of Mr. Ernest Short, the famous Manawatu breeder, who is represented by ten of his celebrated Romneys, including the winners at the Hawke’s Bay Show. This is the first occasion on which Mr. Short has shown in this district, and Ills sheep arc certain to .attract a great deal of attention by reason of the .fact that his strain is known throughout the 'Dominion, and the breed is such a strong favorite with local sheepmen. In this connection it is interesting to note that Mr. Short has selected his present exhibit with a view to displaying sheep that are peculiarly characteristic of the typo he has been breeding up to. Only the other day 'Mr. Short refused an offer of €3OO for a ram bogget sired by bis .famous ram, Becord. iMr. J. L. Berry, of W'ainnta, also lias his Romneys on the ground. JJe has purchased from iMr. Short one of the champion pen of five hoggets that won tho championship at Hastings. The new pig pens are wonderfully convenient for exhibitors, and in this department no hotter accommodation is provided at any show in the Dominion.

Amongst .visitors to the Show are Messrs. David Gild, from tho Wairarapa, and F. File, of Elham, Kent. The latter is the son of Mr. Charles File, the well-known Romney breeder, who owned the winning Romney rams at the two last Royal Shows in England, and from whom Mr. Short bought the consignment of this breed that is at present in quarantine at Somes’ .Island. Mr. David Evans, who is here in charge of Mr. Short’s exhibit, has ■had a more varied career than usually falls to itlio lot of a New Zealand shepherd. After spending some years in the Hawke’s Bay .district he emigrated to Canada. Finding the conditions in the North-west .unsuitable for sheep ho crossed over to the United States, and spent several years caring for stud stock at I,'ie lowa State College. At the big live stock show at the world’s Fair in St. Louis 'lie was in charge of an exhibit, and lie has attended tininternational Fairs a.t Chicago on several occasions. The climate of America proving too trying, he decided to return to New Zealand, hut before doing so spent some months in England visiting all the Royal and other chief dhows last year, and also going over the leading stud sheep flocks in.the Old Country. He arrived at Christchurch in time to witness the big live stock Show of Exhibition year, and shortly after superintended the 'Work of preparing for sale the famous Southdown flock of Mr. James Stuckey. At that sale Mr. Short made his first incursion into the ranks of Southdown breeders. He purchased the pick of Mr. Stuckey’s flock, and at the same time secured. Mr. Evans’ services to take charge of all his stud sheep. Mr. Short has wasted no time in making his presence felt in the show ring amongst Southdowns, for he was a chief winner at Hastings last week, and Mr. H. Panuett, of Canterbury, who was judge, declared that the ewes of the Manawatu exhibitor were the finest he had ever seen. Intending exhibitors are reminded that exhibits not on the ground toy tlie hour appointed for judging will not be considered by tlie judges. Tho schools will be closed on Wednesday, People’s Day. The editor of the “Farmers’ Weekly” (Mr. E. A. James) is at present in town, and ho intends to remain for the show. . A number of sheep arrived from Napier by the Fanny on Saturday. The number included two Romney rains from Mr Wheeler, of Halcombe. ten Romney rams bred by Mr. E. Short, of Feilding, and eleven Lincoln rams, belonging to Mr. F. Hutchinson, Rissington. During the voyage one of the sheep died. Two interesting freaks of Nature have arrived for exhibition. One is a sheep with four bind legs and the other a sheep with four forelegs. Mr. J. C. Field’s fine Hereford bull, which has recently been exhibited at tlie Hawke’s Bay show, arrived in Gisborne on Saturday. Local sheepfarmers made several purchases at tho Hawke’s Bay show. Mr. J. L. Perry secured a fine Romney stud ram, IMr. Field some Lincoln hoggets, and Mr. W. D. Lysnar a four-tooth English Leicester. The order of events to be observed at the Show, both days, is notified ill our advertising columns. Those interested will do well to cut out the notice for reference. Owners of hacks and harness horses ■engaged in the competitions can obtain tlieir numbers on application to Mr. Porter’s office to-day. # Tho American Moturama is advertised as being amongst the sido shows.