THE OAMARU AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 153, 30 November 1874, Page 3

THE OAMARU AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

The Daily Times contains the following telegraphic report of the Oamaru show : The eleventh Annual Exhibition of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association commenced yesterday. The weather during the previous day aud yesterday morning was dull and threatening, and fears were entertained that a storm was brewing ; but such surmises happily proved erroneous, the day being all that the most fastidious could desire. The gathering has been a success, both as to the number of exhibits in most classes, and the attendance. The yard—a splendid one—was in excellent condition, and the arrangements perfect, reflecting great credit on the secretary and committee, not a single hitch of any moment arising during the proceedings. The attendance, though large—about 1500 —was scarcely equal to expectation ; which may be accounted for from the uncertain state of the weather, and the committee having made two show days instead of one as hitherto. The absence of horse exhibits (reserved for to day), and of the band, marred the day’s enjoyment; still, on the whole, it was an unmistakcable success. The exhibits of merino sheep were iu excess of previous years, and of a superior description. Longwools were numerous, the two-toothed being especially noteworthy. The cattle exhibits were numerous, but we noticed a falling off iu shorthorns —especially the absence of the Hon M. Holmes’s superior Ayrshires. Still, the exhibits in this class were extensive and superior. The young bulls aud heifers were very fine —there has never been a better show of Ayrshires in New Zealand. The

dairy produce exhibits |were scarcely equal in number to last year, and in quality not more than equal. The butter, fresh, powdered and salt, was of a fair quality, as was also the home-cured ham and bacon. The poultry show was unquestionably meagre, the variety being fewer than usual. There were, however, several pens of splendid dorkings and game fowls—the game bantams were especially admired. There was a litter of beautiful guinea pigs, a novel exhibit, which attracted much attention. Among the implements were some double furrow ploughs and reaping machines, from the factory of Messrs Reid and Grey, of excellent workmanship, and, also, waggons and other conveyances, adapted for farm work. Messrs M‘Nab (a new local firm) exhibited a back delivery reaping machine, with improved speed regulator, much approved of; also, a pair of iron 12 feet swing gates, of a superior class. Jack and Co, a new firm, took first prize for a double furrow plough. The refreshment booths, under the management of Mr J. Doyland, of the Oamaru Hotel, were well patronised. Some saddles and harness, made and shown by Mr J. Morris, of Oamaru, were of first-class workmanship, and were admired by crowds. The carriages of various kinds, made and shown by H. Kite, were creditable.

On the second day the attendance could not have been much less than 2500. The weather was splendid, and the newly-orga-nised Caledonian Rand (eighteen performers), under the conductorship of Mr Graham, played excellently, and may fairly be janked as honorable rivals with your Volunteer and Provincial Rands. The number of horse exhibits was numerous, being in excess of any previous year. The draught stock was conspicuous both for numbers and quality. The entries of any ago, mostly imported, eight in number, were all of merit —the Duke of Buccleugh, however, again taking the first prize. The young stock were much admired, and yesterday there was a first-rate display. The draught marcs and geldings, for number and quality, were, without exception, almost unsurpassable, and visitors from Canterbury and other districts admitted that in draught stock nothing equal had been exhibited in New Zealand, In fact all present were of this opinion. The blood stock fell somewhat short of expectation, but some fine animals put in an appearance —especially Mr Paterson’s entire Elswick and the Hon Mr Campbell’s two-year-old. The exhibits of hacks, carriage horses, and ponies were numerous, and in some few instances much admired. A marked feature in this class was the appearance of six female equestrians, who in dashing style cantered on' their steeds to the admiration of the assembled multitude. The show, as a whole, has been unquestionably a success—the visitors from Dunedin, Southland, Cante - bury, and other places, being unanimous in their eulogiums upon the young stock exhibited. They predict that in horse stock this district will become the most renowned in New Zealand.