OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION’S SHOW.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1492, 27 November 1878, Page 3

OTAGO AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION’S SHOW.

First Day. [By Telegram.] [feom special reporters of the press.] Dunedin, November 26. The second show of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association opened to-day at Forbury Part. The attendance of visitors was very limited, and the weather was uncomfortably cold for the stock. The show as a whole was a very good one, especially in the shorthorn bull class, which brought together some of the finest animals of the class we have seen for many a day. The sheep classes too, though not. numerously represented, made up for lack of quantity by the quality displayed in individual pens. The implement classes filled well, and the local firm of Reed and Oray are to bo congratulated upon the creditable show of implements made by them. Messrs Oliver and Ulph (the New Zealand Hardware Co.), and Messrs CS-uthrio and Larnach. eaeb had tents, in which were exhibited a very good assortment of hardware, and various other articles of very creditable manufacture. The New Zealand Wood ware Co.’s exhibits were very excellent. They comprised furniture and woodvraro of all kinds, and were well worth a visit. The arrangements wore fairly good, but in the implement classes the tickets were so put as to make it difficult for the visitor to find the particular implement which appeared in the catalogue. The horses, dairy produce, &c., will bo judged to-morrow. Wo append remarks upon the various departments of the show. No section of the show -wns more attractive than that portion in which the exhibits of different breeders of sheep were represented. Besides the fact that each class was well filled with superior exhibits, it. is pleasant to ■record that the sheep of the Otago dial riot 'have of late greatly improved. Several of the exhibits would have been placed in high •positions on the prize lists if shown in Great Britain or America. Considerable pains appeared to have been taken to hi mg the stock shown to perfection, and in spite of the rigors of winter, many of the animals had no doubt received careful attention in order to produce them in such splendid condition today. The arrangements of the pens were •not of the best, as they were cramped for room, and the cattle tied in too close proximity, and the numbering of the n'.fh rent pens ■by some schoolboys' writing must in future he replaced with plain printed tickets, legible enough to bo read easily by the public. There was some delay in getting the sheep into the pens, so that the judges were not away till 5

p m. The total number of entries was just one hundred short of the Christchurch show, but. included several from the last, which were brought to Oamam, and thence to Dunedin by train. In the merino class there was a keen contest between a dozen exhibits for aged rains. Of these the trio sent by Murray, Effierts and Co., which would be probable prize takers, wore in capital order, with all the types of the best sheep (o be four d in them, and heavy fleecesof fine chair wool. The Hon li Campbell scut throe entries, inclusive of the prize lakers at the previous shows, and possibly two at least would be placed in the prize list. The best sheep showed splendid symmetry, density of wool, and evenness of same from head to breech, but somewhat lacking underneath. The next was also well framed, and produced a full lustrous coat. One of the next best in this class seemed to be the animal shown by Mr Adam Johnston, whose dock, judging by his entries, comprises a smaller breed of sheep than the Hon. R. Campbell’s, but for the size of them equally well clothed. His ram was the older, being np to seven years, while the others in the class were younger ones. Mr Sise’s ram showed fine points, and the Negretti species. Messrs Watt and Proudfoot were also exhibitors, and Mr Kitching’s Model 11., though a well framed sheep, seemed to want a trifle in the substance of his back fleece. Murray, Roberts and Co, showed three extra rams, bred by Tolmie. Eight two-tooth rams were entered for competition in that class, the Hon. R. Campbell and Murray, Roberts and Co, producing each three. One of those shown by the latter had a ileece of long staple, soft, and very agreeable to handle, while two of them wore somewhat out of show condition, attributable to the effect of weather. The Hon. R. Campbell no doubt would take the main prizes with his fine upstanding sheep, well clad, and in grand show condition. Mr Sise’s sheep was produced in good order, and Mr Johnston’s animal was worthy of a position among the winners Among the pens of Merino four-tooth the judges apparently had some trouble in deciding their awards, and it would nob be surprising, when the list is obtainable, to find that the first in this class were the sheep of Murray, Roberts and Co., bred by Cummings, as one pen out of their three in this class contained the finest animals on the ground, and good all over. The j udges might probably pass them on account of the dipping having affected the showy of the fleece ; otherwise the champion sheep would not be hard to find here. The Hon. R. Campbell’s animals were excellent in most points, and one, if not two, ought to receive a commend. Mr A. R. Campbell showed two sets, which were much admired; and the sheep of Messrs Sise, Johnston, Watt, and Proudfoot were meritorious exhibits. In pairs of two-tooth rams, Murray, Roberts and Co. and Hon. R. Campbell again ran a sharp contest, each with three entries, but Mr Campbell’s appeared to have a slight advantage, and the public placed them first and second. Messrs Sise and J. Johnston wore the other exhibitors. Thirteen single four-tooth ewes competed. Murray, Rob-rts and Co. and the Hon. R. Campbell each sending a trio. The sheep in both instances bring remarkably good, so much so as to leave it an open question as to which pair the tickets will bo attached, although probably Mr Cimpbell may take the two first, if not all the honors. Mr Sise’s sheep in three entries, although the most profitable for a high class of country, and in splendid order, carrying us they did very heavy fleeces, would nob be placed by the judges. Messrs John and Adam Johnston exhibited some very grand sheep. Of the ten entries in merino two-tooth ewes, Murray, Roberts, and Co. sent four to contest the honors with three from Mr R. Campbell, but it was thought the latter had the pull of the prizes, which, however, may probably be divided. Mr Campb-dl, perhaps, taking the premier place. Messrs Sise and Johnston sent some remarkably fine sheep. In the class for five Merino ewes, four-tooth and upwards, with lambs, Mr Campbell’s five were expected to be put first, being a very even pen and the lambs showing the characteristics of true breeding, and Mr Sise here ought to be placed second and Mr Johnston third for some really prime animals, fhe two tooth Merino ewes, in pens of five, were well represented by Murray, Roberta and Co., Messrs Campbell, Sise, and Johnston, the exhibits in point of quality being very even, but Mr Campbell’s pen by a competent judge, was considered to have rather the best of it. Murray, Roberts and Co. and Mr Sise showed pens of five rams, two-tooth or under, of which the latter would, no doubt, be ranked first, those belonging to the firm second. In Leicester sheep the Dunedin show was somewhat behind Oamaruin respect of the number of entries, but if it was short in this respect, it was well up in the quality of the exhibits, a Canterbury breeder, Mr Marcroft, being expected to take the best prizes. In four-tooths or over the N.Z. and A L. Company showed two, Mr Charles Turnbull one, and Mr Marcroft three. The firstnamed were excellent sheep in every way, and the staple of Ileece long and abundant. Mr Turnbull’s was somewhat larger framed, but Mr Marcroft was expected to • o stand in for the honors with Standard Bearer 11, by Statesman, by Standard Bearer, and Nobleman, by Standard Bearer, the latter a grand square sheep, good in most points, and remarkably well clad. Ten were entered in the single two-tooth rams, the exhibito a being the N.Z. and A. Land Company, Messrs Turnbull, Marcroft, Hicke, and Little. All of the exhibits were in grand condition, and as a class really a good one. Mr Hicks’ animal appeared to have been washed ; Mr Little’s sheep wore a slight resemblance to another type, and the contest lay between the Company, Messrs Turnbull and Marcroft, the latter showing a son of Duke’s, which was well covered and woolled under the breast. In pair of rams, 4-tooth or over, the N. Z. and A. Land Company and Mr Marcroft each exhibited two excellent animals, those of the latter being by Grand Duke by Duke of Hamilton, a champion in Canterbury. It was rumored on the ground that the champion prize would go to Mr Marcroft. The N. Z and A. Land Company had two entries against one of Mr Turnbull’s in pairs of rams 2-tooth and under. The former were well proportioned aheep, fleeced evenly, and in good show order. The sheep of Mr Turnbull had a point in the heads, and showed the true border Leicester. The Company and Mr Turnbull again met among the ewes, 4-tooth or over, with lambs at foot. The Company’s three pens were very well-selected sheep, and showed the care taken by the manager in the selection of his stud Hock. Mr Turnbull's exhibit, it was to be regretted, seemed a somewhat delicate one, and the awards will be taken by the Company. Rive wore entered in the class for single Leicester ewes, 4-tooth or over, viz , by Mr K. Schaw, the New Zealand u»;d Australian Land Co., and Mr Turnbull. Of Mv Schaw’o two exhibit?, one was a very compact animal, while the other was somewhat advanced, and therefore did not attract general attention. The Company again showed the good qualities of their (locks, and the judicious management of the same. Mr Turnbull’s exhibits showed every trait of equal symmetry. The Leicester ewes, two-tooth or under, were represented by a trio from the N.Z, and A.L. Co., and two each from the stud farms of Mr C. Turnbull and Mr H. Little. Oi these Mr Turnbull’s presented the best types, and were altogether grand sheep, so that ho may be expected to score a deserved w;n. The Company and Mr Turnbull came into contest a vain in class for three four-tooth ewes with lamb?, and the competition was so close tint the result remains a matter of doubt. Both must receive an award, but which will bo put first and second is uncertain. They again met, with Mr Little, in class for five two-tooth or under, when Mr Turnbuli’o sheen showed to every advantage. The Lincolns as a wnole would bear a not unfavorable comparison with the pens at the metropolitan exhibition, and the competition was most between Mr Thomas Sutton and the New Zealand, Australian, L.ud Company. Seven rams, entered in the first class, were 1 about the best wo remember to have seen. Two of Mr Sutton’s, which arc bound 1 > be 1 placed first and sicond, are in the first pens, : viz,, the one which took honors at Christ- ■ church, Timaiu, and Oamaru. The chain- ' pion, as has been said before, is a superior * animal, possessing the true characteristic of i the Lincoln—a model of symmetry—bis noble

frame carrying a grand fleece, which for weight and texture "annot be excelled, only his head rather detracts from his beauty. The sheep in the second pen is a good sheep, and had not been shown before, and a third pen enclosed a neat and younger animal than the two foregoing. The New Zealand ai d Australian Land Company have two rams, both very good in points of carcase, wool, Ac, It would not he a matter of surprise if, after ail, one of these did not- come in second. Messrs Mitchell and Robson exhibited in this class each a useful sheep. In the class for the Lincoln rams, two tooth or under, the New Z -aland and Australian Land Company had three entries on the ground, all of which were very good animals, and two at least ought to bo prize-takers ; but the two entries of Mr Button will bring the principal prize to him. These were both prize-taking animals at the Canterbury Show. Mr. Hitching showed three large and meritorious animals. The Company will score a deserved first in class of throe rams, four-tooth or over. In the three rams, two tooth or under, Mr Sutton’s, bred by exhibitor, cannot but bo put first; the second place rests between two of his exhibits and two of the N.Z. and AL. Co., Messrs Hitching and Robson showing useful animals. The prizes for single ewe, four tooth or over, out of six entries, will be divided between the N.Z and A.L. Co. and Mr Kitching, the latter showing in this class a very good ewe and superbly clad. Mr Mitchell’s exhibits were also very commendable. Tha single ewes, four tooth and over, are represented from the N Z. and AL. Co.’s stud in duplicate, and by Mr Kitching with a single entry, and the contest is a very close one, the Company having a trifle the best of it. A fourth exhibit the judges discovered t> bo a ram. Mr Sutton and the New Z-aland aud Australian Land Company ran each other close in class for single ewes, two-tooth or under, but the award, it was overheard, had been given to the sheep of the former, which showed all the points of the Southland (lock, and a sheep belonging to Mr Mitchell would now have come into a place, but for the fact that it was suffering from some illness. The New Zealand Company would stand to win a deserved first in class for three ewes, four-tooth or over, with lambs at foot, and Mr Sutton in class for five ewes, two-tooth or under. The Romney sheep wore represented by Mr James Fulton on throe entries, two in two-tooth rams, both of which were good specimens, and five ewes, two-tooth or under. The other classes of this breed were not represented. The show of fat sheep was a keen contest in merino wethers between Messrs S. G. Smith and Co., 3; J. M. Leish, 2. Cross-bred wethers, four-tooth, Messrs J Smith, S. G. Smith, 2 ; New Zealand and and Australian Land Company, 3; John Mann, 3 ; J. M. Leish, 2; and A. Todd. Crossbred two-tooth —Mr S. G Smith and New Zealand and Australian Land Company, 3. Five ewes or wether lambs, under four months—S. G. Smith and New Z-aland and Australian Land Company, 3 ; W. Tosh, 2 ; John Mann, 2 ; A. Todd, and extra sheep shown by S. G. Smith and Co. The sheep in this section were a grand lot throughout, but it was thought that some, somewhat coarse looking ones, would be placed first more on account of their size than their apparent breeding for fine mutton. Mr Mann, from Canterbury, was expected to take the prize for ewe or wether Jambs. The Down wethers entered as extra stock by S. G. Smith and Co., were praised by everyone who knew anything about the breeding and quality of Ibis breed.

The classes for fat sheep were faidy filled, though in most of these the competition was confined to two or three exhibitors. For the first class there were five entries, butonly two exhibitors, namely, Messrs Smith and Co. and J. MeLeish. The pensof the former were very good sheep, but the third pen from the same exhibitor was scarcely so good, very uneven in quality of size. Those in Mr McLeish’s pons had very largo frames with plenty of flesh, being in good show condition as butchers’ sheep. In the next class, that for five fat cross-bred wethers, the judges must have had considerable difficulty in arriving at a conclusion. Mr Smith, the N. Z. Land Co., Mr MeLeish, Messrs Smith and Co., and Mr Mann were all opposed to each other with really excellent pens. Those shown by S. G. Smith and Co. were really fine sheep, being large framed and of good carcase. The defect in this pen was that the sheep were somewhat uneven. Mr Mann’s pens were exceedingly good sheep, h -ing even in qualify and largo in carcase. Mr McLeisli’s pen, nest to the ones referred to, were of very good quality, wellfattened, and large framed. The other exhibits in this class were of fair average merit. In the next class, for crossbred wethers, two-tooth or under, there were practically only two exhibitors, though there were five entries in the class. The exhibits of the N Z. and A.L. Company were remarkably good, even sheep, with fine carcase, and large frame. The class for lambs under four months filled well, no less than nine pens being occupied by competitors herein. Mr Mann’s pens of lambs were well worth looking at, and the exhibits of the N.Z. Company were also exceedingly good. The number of the extra stock in this class was but small, and only possessed average merit.

The short-horn cattle were the feature of the show, and would have taken a lot of beating anywhere. This was the more noticeable in the competition for the president's prße, offered for the best short-horn bull on the ground. There were eight entries for this, and so great was their excellence that the judges must have had a difficult tusk to apportion the honor. A splendid bu’l, Stafford, was exhibited by Mr Gow, bred by Hon. M. Holmes, he is by Father Christmas, the sire of one of the winners at the Oama.ru show. He is a grand bull, with a sweet head, good quarters, and is a beautiful handler for Lis age. He is one of the finest bulls seen on a Now Zealand show ground, and he took first prize last year at the Otago Society’s show. Next in order came Comraandcr-in-Chiof, a hull which has taken prizes both at Christchurch and Rangiora show. He is also a grand bull in point of looks, with a high pedigree, though somewhat smaller than his rival, Stafford. Next to him was Hastings, which will be recollected as having taken first prize at Timaru show. Ho has a very aristocratic pedigree, and was in the pink of condition, all hough the keen wind which swept over tha flat during ti c day made him appear somewhat to disadvantage. When h andled, Hustings has a nice head, rather on the side of bigness, hut still well formed, good quarters, and clean legs, lie is by Higli Sheriff, his dam an imported cow. Ho is very taking to the eye, and altogether is a very nice animal. The three next exhibits were shown by the N.Z. and Australian Land Company, and were exceedingly good animals, compact, well made and bred. Mr McDonald’s exhibit was a well grown five-year-old bull, with a pretty head. He is a lengthy animal, though rather out of condition, and has all the points of a useful bull. I’remicr, a Prince Frederick, was scarcely able to cope in point of quality with his rivals in tide class. Had their quality been less perceptible, he might have stood a fair chance of being favorably regarded by the fudges. For the three-year-old bulls there' was no competition, whilst in the class for two-year-olds there were only two exhibits, viz., Mr Marcrott’s Royal G wynne hull, Duke of Spreydon, and Mr Sherman’s Standard by Premier. The latter of these is a good useful bull with a fairish head, good quarters, and a nice handler, but we fancy Mr Marcroft’s entry will bear the first prize ticket tomorrow. The yearlings were a capital lot of animals, taken as a class. Mr Menlove had a fine exhibit, Lord Irwin by Alphonso, the sire of Mr Bray’s heifer, which ran the champion bull so close at Oarnu.ru. He handies beautifully, is compact wij.li length, has a nice clean looking head, and generally, is a well made animal. Mr Kitching’s King Riby, by Rihy Knight, the sire of the champion winner at Oarnaru, was next in point of merit. l ike Lord Irwin, he is compact without h; ing ur.syrnmetricul, and handles i i Iy. Mr Gow had three very good exhibits in this class, and those of Messrs Wilson, McLean, and Murray were commendable. The class for best cow or heifer of any age only produced two entries. Of these Mr Gow had a nice cow, well made and of good pedigree.

IT. ■ N Z aland and Australian Land Co.’s (jx'iildt) « ~(> also a very good cow, but some- | what. util, of condition, a blemish which, by j the way, was noticeable in most of the stock | exhibit'd on the ground, owing doubtless to I the severity of the weather, four entries 1 were unde tor the three-year-old heifer i class. In this Mr (low had two exhibits of | which Princess Kate, tin Omar Pasha heifer, j was the most fancied on inspection. She is a I well made lunfer, with a nice short; head and g sod quarters. Duchess, his other entry, was also a very c"'od uw Mr Kilching’s Letterboy ii 'sc,'by Prh.cc Ktlb-rby, showed qualhy, and a(I rand Mast or better, exhibitetl by Mr

Kemsiueh, was iort.li looking at for some time. The two year old heifers shewed up well, there being six damsels of good pedigree entered. Of these Mr Menlove’s Queen Mary, Mr Gow’s Mabel, by Stafford, Mr Kitcbing’s Jessie, by Rockingham, and Mr Russell’s Phyllis I!)ih, were about the pick of the lot,. Of the quartette perhaps the best were Mr Kitcbing’s and Mr Meulove’s exhibits. The latter is one of Mr Roag’s herd, and is a very nice beast all ov-r. The same may bo said of Mr Kitching’s exhibit, which was a nice handler with a pretty head. The yearling heifers mustered in great force, and of these Mr Kitehing’s pair, Riby Duchess 3rd, and Riby Countess wo re the pick. Mr Gow had a nice trio, two being by Omar Pasha, and Mr Menlovc a pretty heifer by A 1 phonso. The remainder of the exhibits in this class were commendable. As a w'holo the shorthorns were wonderfully good. The Ayrshire as a whole were a nice even lot of cattle, especially the bulls and the yearling heifers, some of the latter being exhibited by Mr Macfarlane, the progeny of his Edward 11. They showed any amount, of quality, and were in fine show condition, Mr Macfarlanc’s twoyear old and yearling bulls were also very good. The exhibits of Mr Orr in the Ayrshire cows of any age were remarkable for quality. In the class for Alderney cow of any age, Mr Rarron had a very nice exhibit, but unfortunately the calf died the evening prior to the show. The fat cattle classes w r ero fairly filled, but the want of feed during the winter told against their show condition to a great extent. The show of implements was very good indeed in nearly all the classes. Messrs Reid

and Gray had the lion’s share of exhibits, and the implements sent by them were well made and serviceable. In the class for doublefurrow ploughs there were six entries, of which Messrs Reid and Gray contributed three. One of these was exhibited unpainted, which is a very good plan, as enabling the judges to see clearly the workmanship of the implement. This was a well-made plough, nicely balanced, and well finished. Robinson and Co. had a Rinsome double-furrow, and also one made by Messrs P. and D. Duncan, which is capable of being converted into a three-furrow. Mr Wilson’s exhibit in this class was by far too complicated in its machinery, rendering a knowledge of mechanics almost indispensable on the part of the farmer using it. Messrs Reed and Gray had the class for plough with subsoiler attached all to themselves. Their exhibit was a well-made and well-finished one. In single furrow ploughs, Messrs Reid and Gray had to meet a formidable opponent in the shape of one manufactured by P. and D. Duncan. This was a really well made implement, and was nicely finished. Messrs 11-id and Gray’s exhibit was scarcely so well finished as that of Messrs P. and I>. Duncan, The harrow classes were hut fairly represented, Messrs Reid and Gray being the principal exhibitors in ail of them. Messrs Rj bins on and Co. had a set of three -hoive iron whipple-trees, which were exceedingly good. The only other competitor was Messrs Reid and Gray, who had a sot of the ordinary wood and iron combined. The difference iu price was not so much as to put the more serviceable and handier iron implement out

of the competition. In the clodcrudier class Messrs Held and Gray hud a very good implement, combining the three operations of crushing, mowing and harrowing, having a set of harrows and seed-sowers attached to it. This was one of the most useful implements on the field. They also had a 2Gin. and 20in. diameter. In the class for broadcast sower, the exhibits of Messrs Reid and Grey, and Conyers and Black were excellent implements. The chaffcutters exhibited wore pretty numerous, mainly Richmond and Chandler and Benthall’s. One exhibited by Messrs Robinson and Co. had a riddle attached. There were three horserakes exhibited, of which tlie best was Reid and Gray’s Star. The reaping machines were in great force, no loss than ten being entered, comprising back and side deliveries. The best of these was the Osborne automatic sidedelivery, known as “ the big six,” which has been at nearly all the shows during the season. Mr Watson had two well made farm carts, and the buggies exhibited by Mr J. T, Chaplin were well made and finished. For the reapers and binders prize, the quartette shown at tho metropolitan, viz., Osborne, Gammon and Deering, McCormick, and Wood, were to the lore, and a new candidate, in tho shape of a machine made by Reid and Gray, which differs so slightly in nearly all respects from the others that a description of its principles is unnecessary. Two very good portable engines were on tho ground, viz., a Clayton and Shutt.lcworth seven-horse, and a very neat little threehorse, for chaff cutters, made by Reid and Gray. Messrs Robey and Co. had also a vertical three horse which worked very smoothly and should eomo largely into use hero, aa it is economical and efficient, A number of extra exhibits were shown, the principal of which were Messrs Oliver and Ulph’s collection of tools, &0., which were certainly excellent. Messrs Guthrie and Larnach had a tent, in which they exhibited some beautiful specimens of furniture, carvings, and woodware of all kinds. Messrs Robinson and Co. had a complete collection of machinery of various kinds. No awards have been made public to-day. The tickets will bo affixed to the pens tomorrow. A large attendance of visitors is expected to-morrow.