THE A. & P. SHOW.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2219, 24 October 1907, Page 2

THE A. & P. SHOW.

GREAT SUCCESS OF “PEOPLE’S DAY.” “A Record Breaker” is the Popular Verdict on 1907 Show.

..i, bill-lie, with the support of its outlying districts, has just passed another milestone in the journey that is last taking it from the ruck of the small towns to the select company of thriving cities. There is no better indication of the condition of a district than Hie class of A. and P. Show it is able to support, and lor tliis reason there is every reason to feel gratified at the standard reached by the gaitliering of. TOO/. It has been a record-breaker in every way. Them brave been gooil Shows here before, but this one was better. 'The entries were larger, the quality superior, and the intblic attended in unprecedented numbers. In otfier words, a new mark has been set up, and those who take up the work of organising the next yeir’s gathering will have an exceedingly difficult task in endeavoring to /amass the standard attained on”the present occasion. That field judo, the weather, though in sportive mood, displayed on the whole quite exemplary behavior in view of the -immense responsibilities attaching to its wayward pmuks. The morning broke with a dull, threatening sky, and a westerly wind blowing a gale that swept tiie streets till the town was enveloped in clouds of dust. Bain appeared probable, and even if this held off the unpleasantness of a dust-storm seemed almost equally undesirable to those who wished to see i large attendance at the Show. However, as the day wore on the wind steadily decreased, and for the greater part of the afternoon the conditions were all that could be desired. . The welcome change was evidently appreciated bv the public, for once the weather became settled visitors simplv swarmed to the grounds from all points of tlio compass and in.all manner of conveyances. The trains were crowded to excess., likewise the ’buses, and every av,ail-able vehicle appeared to have been requisitioned for the occasion. Once in the grounds the _ vast crowd wasted no time in utilising the various good things provided. The jumping proved a constant magnet for thousands, and in this connection the grand-stand _not only provided the best view-point, but it also had other advantages. For months oast the dressmakers, tailors, and milliners of Giisborne had been at their wits’ end trying to- satis: urgent demands to get this costume or that dress and hat ready for Show week. -With much secret misgiving Gisborne femininity had awaited with such equanimity as might be possible the decrees of the lady autocrats of the show rooms who say what orders shall or shall not. be fulfilled, till finally one parcel after •mother was despatched to the respecitive homes. .Possibly few re'ulised on seeing the galaxy of beaaity that burst forth upon tlio lawn how many anxious moments had preceded this "ultimate triumph. However, a fig for doleful reflections., so long as the gossamer dress trails gracefully and the dainty lint does really suit its charming owner. She marches triumphantly through the gateway to the grand-stand, and, loitering across the lawn that sho may carefully note the pretty daisies, finally triji’s up the steps all unconscious, so it may be believed, of the admiring attention from those above. Taking these achievements in the aggregate, one found as the net result a. grand-stand and lawn alive with gorgeous color, brilliant effects, and the bewitching 'mannerisms of a bevy of ladies —surely a most effective centrcMpiece to a big gathering of mixed humanity. The Grand Parade was an important item in the afternoon’s enjoyment, and the satisfied exclamations of the snee,tators were ample evidence that they appreciated to the full the magnificent array of live stock tli-a.t was marched round the rifig for their benefit. This event was particularly well carried out, and the result was a triumph for officials and exhibitors.

The side allows were the objects of interested attention all the afternoon, and to the casual spectator it seemed that many of the proprietors -would leave the grounds with a tidy -'competence. Snake-charmers, strong men, wrestlers, freak exhibitors, merry-go-rounds, etc., were all well patronised, and incidentally the visitors to this locality spent some time in noting the chief features of the trade displays and the Home produce shed. The sheep-shearing machines came in for special notice, and there seemed some doubt as to whether the fact should he attributed to the inherent attractiveness of these exhibitions or to the great love our people have for “a free show.” Be that as it may, the spectacle of soft, downy fleeces being rapidly and skilfully stripped from the quivering carcase of the sheep was ever watched by largo crowds. Until the official figures are made known it is impossible to accurately ■state the attendance, hut it is safe to estimate the numbers present for the two days at very close to 10,000. Tt can also be asserted with confidence that, practically the whole of this large assembly went borne thoroughly satisfied with their visit. They were presented with a firstclass programme of competitive events, a remarkable display of live stock, machinery, and produce,_ and were cared for hv the officials in a wav that left absolutely no cause for complaint. After all, this is the true test of successful management, and judged hv that standard the officials are to he heartily complimented inioii the success of the Show of 190".

HORSES.

DRAUGHT HOUSES. Judging in this class was commenced shortly before 10 o’clock yesterday morning. Entries were not of exceptional quality, with the exception of the class for geldings of 4yrs or over, when half-a-dozen good upstanding animals faced the judge, who,after close examination; came to a decision in favor of Mr. W. H. Jones’ black gelding Lion, with Mr. Johnston’s Dick occupying second place. Yearlings and two-year-olds were poorly represented, and Mr, H. G. Tucker had matters practically his own way, securing the awards for the best yearling filly or gelding with his Loch"Lomond gelding, best two-year-old gelding, and best two-year-old filly. In the class for tliree-year-old fillies Mr. Tucker scored again, showing a very nice dapple grey filly by the well-known siro Blairgowrie. The filly is very shapely, and when she fills out a little more should furnish into a very useful mare. Mr. Ben. Hird’s Bon Accord caught the eye of the selector when reviewing the three-vear-old geldings, and Barney 11., owned by Mr. IV. H. Jones, filled the second position. Only three marcs were shown in the section for mare in foal or loal at foot, and there was absolutely no difficulty in making the award, which went tc Mr O. Matthews’ well-bred mare Holiest Jvate, without much hesitation. Mr. Matthews also supplied the winner ol the second prize with a Te Mata—Brilliant mare, who, although showing a fair amount of quality, had absolutely no chance with Honest Kate, who stood alone in her class. Mr. Matthews is to he congratulated on the possession of these fine mares, who, suitably mated, ..." vuld throw some nice stock. Tor tlie host dry mare four years old or upwards, those belonging to Mr. Murphy and the Messrs" Jones filled first and second places respectively., but it would not have taken a brilliant animal to displace either of them, as they showed nothing above the ordinary, but wqre

CATTLE.

SHORTHORNS

SHEEP

CROSSBRED.

tho best of a poor entry. Sir. NY. H. Jones’ pair of geldings proved too good for those belonging to Sir. Tucker; they ;.voro tho only entrants in their division. Class 11, for threehorse teams owned by tho occupier of not more than 250 acres, only received one entry, three very fair geldings owned by Sir. SV. H. Jones, who obtained the first prize of £i) 3s. Although the entries for tho champion entire were narrowed down to three, there was considerable interest evinced, and all round the ring could be heard voices loudly proclaiming their particular fancy as tho ultimate winner. Ganongato, Young Garnet, and Loch Lomond were the horses, and it could at once be seen that the final issue rested between tic two firstnamed. Some time claused before the decision was arrived at, and the applause was general when tho stewards advanced to Canongate and decorated him with the Championship) ribbon. Cannongate is a fine type of the Clydesdale, and shows plenty of good fiat bone and good free action; he is a good-tempered horse, and was sired by one of the best horses ever imported into New Zealand, Young Garnet had hard luck in meeting a slightly better horse, but he is by no means to bo despised., and should get good horses. Loch Lomond was outclassed, the chief fault in him being the utter absence of that flat hone which is so necessary for show purposes. The final class in the draught section was for the champion mare or filly, any age, and once more Honest Kate proved her superiority, and was invested with the coveted decoration.

HACKS AND HARNESS HORSES. Tho classes judged yesterday were the light, middle, and heavy-weight hacks and ladies’ hacks, and the entries in these divisions showed a decided improvement on those of the first day. In tho first section, heavyweight hacks, Mr. AV. L. Coop took first prize with his brown gelding Huanui, a cleanly-built horse, after a keen contest in which. Mr. J. Clark ran lrim close with his bay gelding Tommy. Middle-weight hacks provided 19 entries, and. although amongst them there were some that were rather weedy, on the whole those shown were well up to the weight specified in the regulation. This class provided one of the closest contests in the Show, the judge at first sorting out six, and then reducing them to three. His final decision was given in favor of Mr. P. B, Barker’s brown gelding Majestic, with Mr. Field’s Duchess second and Mr Coop’s Motokio third. In the light-weights the entry was again good, and thirteen of them faced the judge, who had not quite the same amount of trouble as with the middle-weights, and quickly sorted out the three best in Mr. Bennett’s Maihiti, Mr. Field’s Duchess, and Mr. Merritt’s Mazella, to whom he awarded the honors in the order named. In this class, as in the others, Mr. Baird took the opportunity of riding some of the horses, a proceeding which should he more generally carried out amongst judges, especially in the hack sections where action and mouth count or should count for so much. Mr Bail'd expressed himself as well satisfied with the lot of animals in the three hack .divisions. Mr. Barker’s Majestic, ridden by Miss R. Reynolds, easily carried off the red ticket among the ladies’ hacks. . Mrs. Bennett rode Maihiti and gained second place, and Mr. J. C. Field’s Duchess, with Miss C. Reynolds in the saddle, was third. This success assured the position of Majestic for tho Champion Hack on the ground, which award was given to him later. Majestic is a dark brown gelding by the local sire Crackshot, and by his excellent paces and general appearance fully justified his selection as Champion. Mr. YVachsmann was the successful competitor in the class Impair of buggy horses over 15.1 with his nicely matched couple of mares Meg and Tui. Mr. Barker’s geldings Buller .and Beresford got the better of Mr. Lysnar’s pair for second place. Some nice ponies, were shown driven by the ladies, but Mr. C. A. Sherriff’s Cockie again asserted liis superiority against allcomers, with Mr. Jefferson’s grey mare Venus to come next in order on the list of awards.

There was a first-class entry of the dual-purpose breed, and the quality of the bulls was of ail undeniably high standard, but the cows and heifers were not so good. In the all aged bulls Mr. C. Gray secured first prize anti the championship with a massive roan, the Duke of Shortlands, bred by the late Veu. Archdeacon Williams. It was shown in the pink of condition. Messrs Holden Bros, took second place with a lighter and younger animal, which also showed fine quality. In the three-year-old class these breeders reversed the positions, both showing really good specimens. A special feature in the section was a roan yearling shown by Mr. Win. Witters which so took the judge’s fancy that ho allotted it three first prizes in different classes. This breeder shared with Mr. John Clark the awards for heifers and cows. The yearlings and two-year-olcTs were the best heifer classes. HAIRY.

Ayrshires were not numerous, hut they included some nice types of the breed, and hero again the bulls were of superior quality to tlio females. Jerseys wore a strong section, and the judge had some difficulty in separating the pick of the large classes that came forward for consideration. It is evident that there is a much larger number of this favorite milking breed in the district than is generally supposed. FATS.

These were a really remarkable lot, and comprised a chief feature of the live stock exhibits. Messrs Holden Bros, Sevniour, Barker Bros, and John Clark were the chief prize-win-ners. Some Shorthorns of plienom(,iial size were shown, and tile quality was all that could ho desired. Mr. Clark also entered some fine specimens of Polled Angus which "would cut into ideal carcases lor the butcher.

The classes under this heading included some very useful pens. Mr. A. R. AVatson secured a first prize for a capital lot of flock rams, and Mr. A\ r . V. Field was equally successful with breeding ewes. FAT CLASSES.

The fat sheep and lambs were a fine lot, and would have taken a good deal of beating in any Show in the Dominion. There were quite a number of first-class pens which were passed by without an award of any kind, so keen was the competition. It was noticeable, moreover, that m the freezing‘classes for sheep and in practically all the lamb classes in the winning pons had Down blood in them. AVitli the ordinary Romney-Lincoln crosses Messrs Hohlen Bros, and Barker Bros, were the chief contestants, and where Downs and Down crosses were shown, Mr. Jobson, with Ins Shropshires, was unbeaten. some discussion took place after the judging had been completed as to whether or not the awards had been nljottc.d to sheep that were over-weight in the class where a limit was stipulated. As a matter of fact there was no endeavor made to weigh the sheep, and under the circumstances the judge naturally gave the awards to tlie sheep that appeared to I/e the best freezers irrespective of weight. This,

PIGS

DOGS

POULTRY,

PRODUCE

NATIVE EXHIBITS.

COMPETITIONS.

NOTES,

of course, renders tho weight limit an abortive stipulation, and on another year some effort should ho made to remedy this defect. It seemed evident that in the present instance had tho conditions been strictly adhered to a different award would have been made. But for this defect the section was n. great success, and clearly emphasised the various points of usefulness both from tho respective points of freezing buyer and butcher.

There was a fair entry in the pig classes, which were confined solely to the popular Berkschire breed. J\lr. E. Hapgood won tho boar championship with an animal of tremendous size, well shaped hut for a coarseness in tho shoulders. Mr. H. Moore showed a nice pen of baconers, hut the best class was that of sows with litters. These were particularly good, and would secured recognition at more pretentious exhibitions. Messrs Habgood, Moore, and Huston secured all the prizes.

Of the 85 dogs shown 26 of the number were greyhounds, which formed one of the best classes in tho section. The sheep dogs of various kinds were shown in fair number, and some fine specimens were on the ground. Setters, pointers, and spaniels were small numerically, but the quality was excellent, box terners were a numerous class. They were not of very good quality, and many were handicapped by being shown in very rough condition. The other terriers made a good show, the first prize going to Mr. A. Knox’s Yorkshire terrier—a very small dog. The “sundry” class was well filled; tho entry included two bulldogs, a deerhound and two black retrievers.

There were 83 entries in tlie poultry section, and an excellent show was made. In addition to the birds in the competitions, Mr. J. AN alker, of Auckland, made an interesting exhibit of various fancy birds. There were no geese or turkeys shown, and the ducks were a weak section as far as numbers were concerned. Among the fowls Silver AVyaiidottes were mstrongest evidence, but Golden and Partridge 'AVyaiidottes were not shown at all, and Mrs. H. M.Porter was the only exhibitor in AMnte A\yandottes. Brown Leghorns, Almorcas, and Plymouth Rocks were shown in fair numbers, but of AA lute Leghorns, which have become very popular lately on account of their good laying qualities, there was not a single eiitry. The entry of pigeons was extremely small, hut tlie quality of tlie birds was excellent.

In the nroduce shed there was an inviting, hut not over-large, array. Locally-grown oranges and lemons were particularly good, Mr. Stevenson winning in the former dies and Mrs. Dolman in the latter. A egetablei were exitremely well forward for this time of tlie year, and the winning collections of Mr. A. Jl - Kennedy and Mrs. H. M. Porter, received a good deal of attention. New notatoes were fair, hut Mr. J. IV. Bright’s lot were easily the best. Sutton’s Abundance seemed to be the moot--forward variety. Hams ind bacons were well shown, the ■principal winners being tlie Okitu Factory, R. Atkins, and Thos. E-ade. AV. Piekcn. was tlie only exhibitor of local cheese. There was quite a large assortment of bread, scones, and cake. Tlie women folk declared •the winning exhibits of Mrs. J. Graham, Miss Nellie Gordon, and Mrs. AV. L. Gordon to be excellent. AI. H. Clark won the award for unseparated butter, all the samples being creditable. For separated butter the ICia Ora Co. was too good for the opposition. Honey was fair, and tlie winning collection of homemade jams, jellies, and pickles were nicely got up. In the way of form produce the seotiou wants strengthening, the only exhibit being maize. Surely the district, can grow some cereals and root crops. Air. R. J. Witters* maize was a splendid sample.

A quaint and attractive stall housed the native exhibits. Though not numerous they were good, and evidenced that the Alaoris have not lost their constructive ingenuity and deft, workmanship. Air. H. Hill, the judge, was most complimentary in liis remarks on the work.

The first item down for decision was the maiden jumping, in which some twenty-three horses took part. The first round was responsible for the elimination of the great majority of these, and final seleotion was narrowed down to four or five, the first award eventually going to Mr. F. Pattullo’s fine chestnut Sultan, who cleared the different jumps in proficient style. Freehold was second, and also gave a good display. Some of the horses competing acted like thorough novices at the game, and spills were numerous in "the first and second rounds, hut fortunately unattended with any serious results. The steeplechase event was won by Mr. R. J. Reynolds’ Sandy from a large field. The jumping was good, but there was an inclination on the part of many of the houses to run dawn their fences. Mr. J. T. Dunlop’s Puarakau, though unplaced, gave a sterling exhibition of leaping. There were six starters in the harness trot, which resulted in a. hollow victory for Mr. A. Slierriff’s Dominion (2osec). - Sir Roger (scr) and Ladybird (13sec) had a hard fight for second iilace. _ About a furlong from the winning-post Ladybird challenged Sir Roger, who had a lead of a lenath. • Ladybird overhauled her opponent near the post, hut unfortunately broke. The rest of the field straggled ill. There was keen competition in the high jump. Tlie issue was fought out between Mr. E. M. Hutchinson's Blackbird. Mr. J. M. Gonldsmitli’s Fencer, and Mr. X. Newman's Biddy. Blackbird was eliminated with the lmrdle at sft 3Jiin. The jump: was then raised by 2iii, hut neither of the remaining horses could get over, and the prize money was divided between them. The driving competition over a hundred .duds’ course was an attractive item, and the place-getters drove with a skill which it was a pleasure to witness.

The Utility Poultry Club is now in a fairly prosperous position, and the remark was "made yesterday that the club should have made some kind of an exhibit to bring its existence forcibly under tilio attention of residents.

A great deal of annoyance was caused by the block of traffic which occurred so often at the gate into the lawn. It might be advisable to put a turnstile at the point to expedite the passage of patrons. It was not too easy to understand the classification scheme in the dog section. There was some classification, but here and there dogs were found far away from their classes. To make the section as interesting L o the public as it should he, it might also be advisable to devise some means of properly displayin'' the numbers and awards of the different animals.

During the parade the leader of a young hull had an exciting time. The hull became restive, and bolted into tlie inner ring, nearly nulling his guardian against the railing. Throughout the uarade lit' continued troublesome, and it required two ■men to keep him under control. Some of the horses in the Maiden Jump were of a verity maidens, a number jumping in various unconventional stylos. One refused altogether to jump, hut compromised by

crashing sideways into the hurdles. Another caused a good deal of laughter by putting its forelges over one of the hurdles and wriggling tho rest of its body over. The Show traffic on the railway constituted a record. The last train from the grounds consisted of 16 vehicles, which were crowded with passengers. The traffic from the Buhl {Old was also heavy’, nine full vehicles being the country contribution to the crowd at the grounds. The trains were run well to time, and altogether everything worked very smoothly. Altogether 2500 passengers were carried, v which is a very creditable day’s work for such a short section of line.

Two regrettable accidents happened during the leaping contests. In tlie Maiden Jumping competition Mr. “Tiny” Emerson had the mount on Air. C. R. Neale’s Bully. The horse took the rickcr hurdle badly, and fell on top of his rider. Mr. Emerson was rendered unconscious, and was carried off the course on a stretcher. After a short time he recovered very well, having only been winded and stunned. He was entered t.o ride Air. H. E. Lougher’s Ivan in the steeplechase leapt match, and pluckily took his turn over the hurdles, hut- in this ease again misfortune awaited him, and ail accident similar to that in the previous competition befel him. This time his horse rolled on him to ia greater extent, and it was feared that he had been killed, but he soon showed signs of recovering, and after slight treatment was fully restored, his injury being confined to i severe. crushing of the chest, no hones being broken. One of the few flaws in the management was tlie 'arrangements for entrance to and exit from the grandstand enclosure. There should be a separate gate for each, and the attempt to make one serve the dual purpose resulted in a good deal of inconvenience yesterday afternoon. Practically the whole of the visiting officials left by tho Victoria for South last night. The fat cattle liens are too small and are not strong enough. New ones should be erected for next Show. Some of the enormous beasts entered scarcely had room to get up after lying down, and a few wild specimens made tho enclosing rails look very flimsy. The executors of tho late A. AlcKenzie’s estate have purchased the' first prize pen of three Romney ewe hoggets and a ram of the same breed from Air. Short. An attractive item during the morning was an exhibition of highjumping by a horse belonging to O’Neill’s Buckjumpers. The horse negotiated the jump with great cuse, being ridden barebacked by members of the company. Something of a curiosity was shown in tlie sheep pens by Air. G. J. Black. Tttiis was a pair of Tunis Lincoln cross ram lambs. The Tunis sheep hails from North America, and was imported into the United States some years ago by a breeder named Rountree, who iris devoted an immense amount of trouble in developing it to meet the requirements of modern times. He has succeeded in evolving a very useful laninial, and is said to be thoroughly satisfied with the characteristics of the new type of ancient breed. The most striking feature of the Tunis is a tremendous and abnormal de- ■ velopmenit of the hind quarters and rump. This peculiarity was easily noticeable in the rams shown by Air. Black, which were certainly a use-ful-looking pair. .Alessrs. Clirisp and Son had an interesting display of Singer’s sewing machines, portable organs, phonographs, anti records. Air. Dudley Trent showed some non-corrosive writing ink manufactured by the AI. A. Winter Co., U.S.A. j and Messrs. T. and S. Alornin, Ltd., Auckland (Air. AA r . A. O’Aleara, agent), had a machinery exhibit in Avhicih Oliver ploughs were prominent.

SOME OPINIONS OF THE SHOW,

A representative of the Times interviewed several visitors as well as the President and Secretary of the A. and P. Association, and asked for a brief expression of opinion concerning tlie Show which has just concluded. The replies are as under:— Air. J. J Bayliss, of AVagga NVagga, Victoria, who judged the Shorthorn cattle: It would compare very favorably with ma.ny of our Australian Shows. The sheep classes and horses seemed to me particularly good. The fat cattle were a wonderful lot, and there were some' very fine Shorthorn bulls. If I might be allowed to say it, though, I was surprised to learn that these latter were all imported. Surely such a district as tliis should not need to import all its best stock. I must say I have been treated with great kindness, and wish my stay could have been longer. Air. J. C. Gilruth: You are making substantia] headway with your stock, but there is still room for improvement. lam glad to see tlie Show so well supported by the public. Air. Hugh Gillies, judge of fat stock: It has been an exceptionally good show both .in regard to sheep and cattle. The lambs were very fine in view of. the wet winter that lias been experienced. The management was up to a very high standard.

Mr. Frank File, of Kent, England: Tliere was a very good show of sheep, suite as good as I expected. The Romneys were somewhat behind the standard reached at Hastings, and is o good deal below what is found in shows of a similar size in-England. Taken as a whole, the Show was very successful, and most enjoyable for visitors, hut as I have just said there is still plenty of room for improvement in your stock. Mr.. Holden (President of the'Association): It has been a. great suc"ess, both financially and ill other •vavs. The exhibits in Romney sheep were the largest and best we have ever had I was verv pleased to see the wav. the small settlers have come forward and supported tlie Show.

Mr. H. M. Porter (Secretary of the Association): I can fully endorse what, the President has said. The ’umning. too, was verv good, and the bulges have expressed themselves as -..rr-eahlv surprised at the display wade. T cannot give the attendance igiivos. hut it js certain that a record 'ms been put up.