CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume VII, Issue 747, 10 November 1876, Page 3

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

METROPOLITAN SHOW, 1876.

Patron—Mr W. Bolleston. President—Hon John Hall. Vice-President—Mr H. F. Gray. Hon Treasurer—Mr David Craig. Secretary—Mr G. Makeig. The great event of the carnival week of Canterbury—the Metropolitan Show—has come and gone. We have had gathered togethered on the ground of the association not only the pick of the flocks and herds of the province, but also specimens of the industries and manufactures which are growing up around us. Such a sight as that of yesterday may well make us proud of that part of the colony where our lot is cast, and it will afford our visitors from other provinces a fair criterion of the resources of the Canterbury plains. The annual recurrence of these gatherings forma as it were a sort of stand point from which we can survey the progress made during the past twelve months, not alone in the matter of the staple products but in those more domestic manufactures, the development of which are the true test of the solid prosperity of any country, In this respect exhibitions like that of yesterday are invaluable. They offer to the flockowner, the cattle breeder, and to the artisan and producer in the many branches of industry, an incentive to bring his stock or article of produce to the highest stage of perfection. A healthy rivalry is induced, without which no real advance can be made, and all meet in a contest which has for its object the improvement of the producing power of the country. Nor is the good effect confined to the particular locality in which the exhibition is held; its influence is felt throughout the colony, and hence a national benefit is attained. Other parts are stimulated by the example set them, and efforts are made to introduce the best procurable animals from the high class flocks and herds of the old country. On such occasions as this also the producer and the consumer are brought into contact with each other, and with the best results. The farmer and stock breeder not only see the best animals in their particular lines, but in the matter of local manufactures the public have placed prominently before them what advances are being made, and what new industries are being developed. To the Association, whose gala day we on this occasion chronicle, the greatest possible credit is due. Keeping in view the great object they have at heart, viz, the improvement of the breed of stock and the stimulation of enterprise in various channels, they have steadily but surely placed Canterbury in the van as regards these two points. Our Metropolitan Show has now assumed such a position . that, without indulging in the propensity which Mr Anthony Trollope has attributed to our Australian neighbors, we imay claim for it the premier position so far as this colony is concerned. In saying this we do not do so in any spirit of self-glorification, but simply to show that the efforts of the association, continued as they have been under many discouraging circumstances, have been ,#3fOwned with success. The exhibition of Afcsterday is in itself sufficient justification •rer even greater laudation, and is a striking W proof of what can be achieved by perseverance and judicious fostering. No greater evidence could be adduced of the rapid strides made in every department than the quality of the exhibits shown, and therefore no one can deny that to the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association is due the credit of the undoubted success in every point of yesterday’s gathering. Not only is this so as regards the Metropolitan show, hut indirectly their example has induced the formation of similar associationsin other districts of the province. In most of the agricultural and pastoral centres these exist, and we have only to look back at the highly creditable exhibitions of last week to see what good work is being done in this direction elsewhere. We have dwelt somewhat lengthily apon this aspect of the show, because despite the great results accruing from its labours, the general public have not hitherto accorded to the association that support which it deserves. Its members’ roll has been but scant outside the number of those zealous amt devoted supporters whose steady and consistent adherence, through good and evil times, has been the means of bringing our annual exhibitions to the pitch of excellence they have attained. No trouble has been too much for these gentlemen to take to ensure success, and we now, while the result of their labors is fresh in the minds of the public, urge most strongly the claims of, the association to a wider and more general support from the people of Canterbury. All are agreed as to the great bene-

fits to be derived from having such an association in our midst, and therefore it is that we hope during the next year the list of its members and donors will be largely increased. It must be remembered that no one class benefits by its operations. It is not exclusively for the stock breeder or the farmer, but for all classes, and therefore it should be supported by all. By increasing its members its usefulness is also extended, and the Association will be thus enabled still further to offer inducements to breeders and others to go on in the direction of improvement of their stock.

The weather was all that could be desired. A bright sunshine, with just enough wind to make the rays of the sun enjoyable, tempted crowds of visitors from all parts. Every portion of the province sent its quota, either by the rail or the road, and the crowded appearance of the streets of the city gave promise of a large attendance. In addition to what we may call *• our ain folk,” the other provinces, particularly Dunedin and Wellington, were largely represented. Our visitors have seen us at our best. They have seen what we can do in the matter of racing stock, and yesterday’s display also must have convinced them that we can take a lot of beating in the matter of agricultural shows. The tide of visitors down Colombo street set in this year much earlier than last, as, despite the half crown tariff, the grounds were well filled before noon. The city jehus were in high feather, and the extent to which their vehicles were patronised was enough to cause great rejoicing in the camp of the spoilers. The omnibuses also were loaded, and their enterprising proprietors had only one regret, viz, that there was but one show day in the year. A large proportion found their way to the ground on foot, and the footpaths and even the roads were, crowded to such an extent as to make locomotion somewhat difficult.

The ground committee deserve every credit for the excellence of their arrangements, which were perfect. There was no confusion, and the very large number of entries in all classes were rapidly put into their proper places. This year we may note the association have adopted a very excellent plan, which we hope to see continued. The catalogues sold on the ground contained, in addition to the usual information as to exhibits, &c, a neatly lithographed plan of the grounds, with the position of each class of exhibits, so that a visitor could at once proceed to any special portion of the show in which he felt interested, There is one point which requires amendment, but we hardly see how it is to be done. That is in reference to the prize tickets. They are now printed on cards, and in very many cases yesterday from frequent handling they became detached from the exhibit, thus rendering the work of ascertaining who had taken prizes very difficult. This was especially noticeable in the implement class. We have before referred to the alteration made by the Lincoln Association, in the direction of having the numbers of the exhibits painted on tin labels. If this .'could be done with regard to the prize awards, it would be a great improvement. The arrangement of the pens and exhibits generally, was similar to that of last year. The cattle, sheep, pigs, sheep dogs, &c, occupied the northern side of the ground running up to the western end. The implements, which were very numerous, principally in the class of extra exhibits, were placed on the eastern and northern sides. The horses occupied the south side, and the tents for dairy produce and New Zealand manufactures were in the centre. Here also was the exhibition of the Christchurch Horticultural Society, which was well attended during the day. We missed the sewing machine- tents, which last year were a very attractive feature, being crowded with visitors during the day. Our old friend, the telegraph board, was con spicuous by its absence, whereat some funny men were much grieved. Two bands were in attendance during the day, and played admirably. The liberality of the association in this respect contrasts very favorably with the somewhat peculiarly economical ideas of the 0.J.0., who this year dispensed with the usual adjunct of music. The various refreshment booths did a roaring trade, the dust, which blew about the ground in clouds, making it a matter of necessity to make frequent adjournments in search of liquid refreshment.

As on former occasions, the tent appropriated to New Zealand manufactures was the most extensively visited during the day. On the occasion of each show there are a number of persons who think that they cannot do the show properly without tasting most liberally of the butter and cheese exhibits, Indeed, yesterday there were some enthusiastic visitors who even ventured on Mr Morrison’s exhibit of spiced beef, but it did’nt seem to be a success. The latter exhibits fortunately, we should think, as reducing the number of bilious attacks, were but small, but there was a considerable crowd around who tasted liberally and gave their opinions freely. The beer exhibits had also a fair share of attendants, but as a view of the outside of the casks was not conducive to thirst quenching, they gradually thinned off. In the matter of amusements the choice was exceedingly varied. It is hard to understand what pleasure there is in getting an electrical shock, which leaves the recipient in a pleasing state of doubt whether he possesses the usual complement of arms or not, but the fact remains that the lady proprietoress who gives you the shock a smile which neutralises some of the pain, drove a brisk trade. Not to have met the courteous proprietor of the shooting gallery, whose' compliments on the skill of the marksman when he shoots with the skill of Mr Winkle, is a treat to hear, would have indeed been a loss. He was to the fore, brisk as ever, and if his patrons never hit the target, why they had their money’s worth in the prediction that they would rival our crack shots some day. Wheels of fortune were abundant. It is hardly necessary to say that no one ever got beyond a box of hairpins or a shell box, but then there was a sovpcon of of wild and daring adventure about it that made the venture very tempting. The unicycle circus was in great form, and the foreign gentleman—a marquis in his own country at least—who imitates the whistling of birds bo deftly, was a whole circus band in himself. He alternated be' tween his whistling and turning the handle of a large barrel organ, the result of which latter seemed hardly commensurate with the labor expended thereon. The proprietor was evidently a philosopher, for he sat calmly surveying the British public working his machine, and paying for the privilege. Some of the fraternity made a start with their little gameSj bat Nemepis in the shape of

Inspector Feast was upon them, and they retired from business in disgust. A canny Soot, fired with patriotic fervor, skirled the pipes vigorously, but as the result of big well meant endeavours to add to the enjoyment of the day was simply to cause all and sundry within range incontinently to fiee away, he desisted and retired to an adjoining booth, doubtless to meditate over a drop of real Qlenlivet on the want of musical taste displayed by the Sassenach. When we say that Mr Inspector Buckley and a detachment of police were on the ground, and that their arduous labors were confined to enjoying themselves, we are only repeating a more than twice-told tale. It speaks volumes for the orderly nature of Canterbury out for a holiday when, amongst all the large gathering on the ground, numbering some 12,000 people, there was not a single case for the interference of the police. Coming now to the show proper, we may say that in every department it was a grand success. The sheep classes were largely filled, and the quality exhibited throughout was something to be looked at. The cattle and horses were also excellent, and it was worth walking a long way to look at them. The pigs were not very strong as regards numbers, but they were, taken all through, very good indeed. The [principal exhibits were of the now popular Berkshire breed, but others were also worthily represented. The poultry, as we have over and over again argued, should never be exhibited at this show. In the first place the birds are not in show condition at this time of the year, as was amply proved by the appearance of the majority of the exhibits yesterday ; secondly, the show is not sufficiently good—that is, the principal fanciers do not exhibit to make it at all attractive. Any stranger seeing the birds there yesterday, would go away with the erroneous idea that we have no good poultry here. The sheep dogs were good, but we are somewhat at a loss to know bow the judges arrive at their decision. If the dogs had to work a mob of sheep on the ground one could understand a right decision being arrived at. As it is, though points, &c, are amongst the qualifications of a good dog, they are not the only ones. Properly working sheep, which is only to be judged from actual observation, is to our mind the principal point. Implements of all kinds mustered very strong, and we were glad to see that our colonial makers were able to more than hold their own in com petition with the imported] article. Several noticeable exhibits were on the ground in the class of extra exhibits to which more detailed reference is made under the proper head. The dairy produce exhibits were meagre in the extreme, that is, under the head of fresh and salt butter. We are somewhat surprised at this, as the country shows have been remarkable for their excellence in this particular. We should have expected to have seen some of the best of these coming forward to compete at the big show, as a prize won there by any dairy would carry more points than at a country exhibition. In cheese there was very keen competition. Mr Candy, as usual, carried off first honors. We may venture to suggest that this veteran in the cheese prize takers might now very well retire on his well earned laurels, and give the young ones a show. The bacon classes, though confined to two or three competitors, were of splendid quality, and showed the great improvement made in this industry of late years. The most interesting part of the show was the New Zealand manufactures. Here there was a fine show of all kinds. The exhibits attracting the most attention was a splendid display of knitted and woollen goods, from the factory of Mr Louis Bother, and the flannels, blankets, and tweeds from the Kaiapoi and Mosgiel factory. The Kaiapoi manufactures were universally admired for the excellence of their manufacture. The blankets especially were very good. Mr Ballantyne exhibited the Mosgiel goods, and they were also deservedly appreciated. Mr Thos Wilson and Coombs and Son, had each a tent, where some excellent leather and manufactured goods of all kinds were displayed, and they attracted a large number of visitors during the day. Messrs Austin and Kirk exhibited a magnificent display of drain pipes, pottery, and fire clay goods, The goods were highly finished, and very creditable specimens of colonial manufacture. The wool exhibits, though few in number, were of good quality. There was good competition in the matter of beer, and the quality was a great improvement on the samples of last year.

The Premier, Hon Major Atkinson, and Hon E. Richardson were on the ground during the day. The former gentleman expressed himself as highly pleased with the exhibition. We may mention that the amount taken at the gates during the day was £570, as against £490 last year. The number of persons on the ground was estimated at between 10,000 and 11,000.