NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION’S EXHIBITION.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 741, 3 November 1876, Page 2

NORTHERN AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION’S EXHIBITION.

The sixth exhibition of stock and produce held in the district, and the third since the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Associa tion was resuscitated, took placeonTnursday on the excellent grounds of the association, situated on the Ashley road, near Rangiora Each year it is pleasing to notice that the society and the show under its auspices increase in importance; anri although numerically the entries did not exceed that of last year, it would be unfair to say that the quality had not shown signs of improvement. On every hand the stock shown was superior in merit, and the general remark that it com pared favorably with other exhibitions of a like kind already held this season, was, no doubt, absolutely correct. With the advantage of first class pastoral and grazing country, the northern district ought to rank second to none in the quality of its mutton and beef. It also boasts one or two noted horse bre' ders, and in this department yesterday’s show was eminently successful in point of quality. In minor exhibits there was perhaps room for enquiry for further items in implements and manufactures. The arrangements made by the submittee, Messrs Cone, Duncan, Parsons, Burt, Sansom, Wheeler, King, Luxton, Smart, and McGregor, on the’ground were, as usual, good. The pigs were penned along the fence to the left of the gate, beyond which were the cattle yards, next stakes for the bulls, and to proper stations along the remaining portion of the enclosing fence, the horses were placed. To the right of the entrance gate were the implements. In the centre stood the secretary’s office, the tenant of which performed his arduous duties in a most affable and patient way ; a large tent for New Zealand manufactures and dairy produce, and a publican’s booth under the presidency of Mr J. Roberts, who did a capital trade, and the quality of whose liquors was excellent. Adjacent to; the booth was the luncheon ftiarquee, in which the judges, stewards, committee, and public were provided with substantial refreshments. Mr McKelvie held sway over a confectioner’s booth, and there were the usual stalls of toys for boys and girls. In the middle of the ground was stationed an excellent band, under the leadership of Herr Biinz. A stringed band and an harmonium, discoursed sweet music to such as cared for dancing. For the display of exhibits the arrangements were admirable ; the ring enclosures for showing the horses enabled spectators to have a fair view of the animals in each class at one time, considerable interest in this respect being taken in the galloping round, circus fashion, of the ladies’ hacks, which by the bye were ridden in all but one instance, by members of the sterner sex in riding habits. The weather was delightfully fine, the early portion of the day being exceedingly warm, but as it wore on the hot sun rays were tempered with a refreshing easterly breeze. This decidedly increased the revenue at the gates, and induced a large attendance, about 2000 people being on the ground. The representatives of the fat stock suffered somewhat from the heat, and one bull as well as some of the pigs seemed to be seriously affected, but a copious supply of water from the fine well on the ground tended to allay their sufferings. Looking over the catalogue it was evident that several of the members of the association had exerted themselves very much to compete in the various classes, and it speaks well for the breeders of the district when one gentleman—Mr Threlkeld—produced no less than between fifty and sixty in keen competition with other breeders, and it is pleasing to note that he was rewarded with fourteen first, ten second, and several highly commended and commended cards. The president of the association also came into competition pretty freely, and so did Mr H. B, Qresson. The names of Messrs Hurse, Boys, and Duncan, in sheep ; Hurse, Turton, Dench, and Burt, in cattle ; Walls, in horses; Cameron, Gresson, Burt, and Skivington, in the porcine department, certainly displayed to what an extent stock breeding in all its branches is conducted in the Northern district. The class of faithful dogs was represented by half a score. In poultry, there were some good specimens of the various domestic feathered tribe, but there were not the number of entries expected, and another year the tto be placed on a stage, so as to give th ..b. ’c an opportunity to inspect them. .. im . ’.ments the name of Keetley, of the Britai 1 ia Works, Kaiapoi, was most prominent. The dairy products were well represented by Messrs Fawcett, Gresson. Milne, Skivington, and Beharrell ; the wool by Mr Ellen, the harness by Mr Dudson; leather by Messrs Neilsen and Thorne