TIMARU SHOW.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2084, 28 October 1880, Page 3

TIMARU SHOW.

[FBOM ODE SPECIAL EEPOETEB.] The annual show, under the auspices of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Association, took place on the new grounds, Wai-iti road, on Tuesday and Wednesday. For some years past the Association have had ground almost in the centre of the town, which, though perhaps possessing disadvantages, yet had one great desideratum, viz., ease of access and proximity to Timaru. The only fault we can possibly find with the new ground is the distance from town. Otherwise it is a very excellent piece of land, well grassed, of large extent, and affording ample opportunity for the display of the stock to the best advantage. Besides this, a gully runs right through the centre, dividing the paddock into two nearly equal parts. This has been utilised for the leaping match, inasmuch as the hurdles have been placed at the bottom—the spectators having, as it were, a natural grand stand, from which they are enabled to sea all that goes on. The road out to the ground, after leaving the town, is exceedingly pretty, all kinds of scenery greet the eye of the visitor, and form an agreeable change from the everlasting flatness so oppressively manifest in Christchurch. On the one hand, stretching away under the sunlight, flashing and sparkling, is the sea ; on the other, coming out in bold relief against the pure blue sky is the range of many mountains, whilst at one’s feet, as it were, are rolling downs, green and fresh, trim villas, with handsome gardens and plantations. While, therefore, the distance from town to the practical man must be to some extent a drawback in the present location of the society, to the lover of nature and the beautiful the change has many charms. The arrangements for the show were very complete except in one little respect, and that was the inability of visiting pressmen to get even a catalogue on the first day. Many of them had come over a hundred miles to do the show, and looking at the distance to be traversed from the town, they were anxious to get well forward with their work, but were unable to do so owing to the absence of catalogues. It is to be hoped that next year this will be remedied. The association have erected some very commodious sheep and cattle yards, and all necessary accommodation for carrying on the work of the show. The secretary this year has a decent office, and the days of the old shed which so long has done duty in this respect are happily numbered. The cattle and horses were placed on the northern side of the gully referred to, which acted as a sort of natural division, the sheep and implements being on the southern side. There was perhaps rather more scattering of the exhibits than one would care to see, but still this was a good fault, as it allowed plenty of room for the public to get about and inspect all that was to be seen. Doming to the show proper, it may be noted that the total number of entries this year is larger than that of 1879. This increase is noticeable in many of the separate classes, notably in cattle and horses. The implement classes mainly show an increase in the number of those sent for exhibition only, the prize entries not being notably large. In dairy produce, however, the entries show up remarkably well, there being seventy-two this year as against twenty-two last. The poultry exhibits do not call for any particular mention. The season is not the right one to exhibit birds at their best, and the only way to encourage breeding of good birds is to have in Timaru, like in Christchurch, an association whose specialty it shall be to hold exhibitions at the time of year when the birds are in good feather. The weather on both days of the show was splendid. A slight haze tempered the rays of the sun and made it quite enjoyable. On a stand erected in the centre of the ground the band of the Timaru Artillery discoursed sweet music during the day. Merry-go-rounds, the camera obsoura and other amusements were to the fore, and were well patronised. We append a description of the various classes of the show :

SHEEP. Timaru being essentially the land of the merino one naturally expected to meet at first sight specimens the lover of the merino could delight in. The class embracing rams of all ages was rather disappointing, and the exhibits of the Hon. B. Campbell, which excited such a sensation last year, were certainly much missed. The judges gave both first and second awards to Mr Borton, of Otago, whose sheep are of South Australian blood. They are big framed animals, with many useful qualities fitting them for this climate. In this connection it would almost seem high time that a more distinct classification should be made in shows of the merino type ; in other words, that the merinos should be divided into two classes. In this class we noticed for the first time another distinct and extraordinary breed, which, though certainly not handsome, shows qualities that recommend a strain of its blood in a rough climate. The sheep in question, which we trace all through the merinos, wore originally American bred, and in one class the judges thought fit to mention their probable adaptability for the rougher portions of New Zealand. The class for rams under eighteen mouths was well filled with a very good lot of young sheep, and this reminds one that the younger sheep throughout showed to much more advantage than the elder ones. This points unmistakeably to the success of the recent numerous introductions of fresh and high class blood. This was especially noticeable in the exhibits of Mr Pearson (Ist prize). His pair were rather undersized, but their condition was perfection, as indeed was that of the many exhibits shown by this breeder. Mr Elworthy took second honors with a pair of very attractive sheep, which had been shorn—an unusual circumstance in this class. The class for the best ram above eighteen months is supposed to contain the pick of the show, and though some of the exhibits looked more like flock than show animals, yet there were some very bigb class sheep shown, including many importations from other colonies. In this class Mr Tesohmaker exhibited a very high class animal —undoubtedly in every respect the finest sheep on the ground. The judges, however, threw him out, rightly considering that he was not in fair competitive condition, from the fact that they were asked to make a distinct exception in his favor by allowing for wool left on him at his last shearing. The prize therefore went to another importation from Tasmania, shown by Mr Pearson, and a very beautiful sheep. The second prize fell to Mr Elworthy with another importation from the same colony. Mr Borton secured a well deserved commend. The rams under eighteen months were a olsas of very great merit throughout ; the first and second prizes falling to Mr Borton, with some of the large type of merino, and a very serviceable sheep for tho country, Mr Pearson was highly commended for a young ram, whose too youthful age was the only thing against him. The ewes above eighteen months were represented by nine entries. The ewes as usual showed throughout to much more advantage than their more masculine companions. Mr Rhode?, who was a large exhibitor in merinos took first honors with a very fine pen, showing great purity of breeding. Mr Pearson took second prize with an excellent sheep; Mr Bhodes being highly commended. The ewe hoggets contained some beautiful pens, showing good quality. The first and second prizes|went to Mr Rhodes for pens of rare merit. Mr Pearson was commended.

In the single ewe class Mr Rhodes was equally successful. Mr Studholme showed some nice sheep, which must, however, have come straight from the natural pasture, and were, therefore, not in show form. In the next, for single young ewes, Mr Pearson took first prize with a beauty, which was decidedly the best shown on the ground. Mr Rhodes was again second and third. The pens of five rams were not quite even enough throughout, but contained some fairly serviceable animals. Similar quintettes of ewes showed to much more advantage, Messrs Rhodes and Pearson again dividing the honors. The ewes wi„h lambs at foot were in nice show condition. The prizotakers had nearly all been dipped in Little’s sheep dip. The show of Lincolns was by far the best

ever exhibited in Timaru, so much so that there was not a really bad sheep in the lot. At no show could there be seen a more level lot of sheep. The aged rams, though good, were perhaps the least favorable feature of the close—some of them, notably Mr Menlove’s, were at a disadvantage from the effects of a too recent dipping, while throughout the whole Lincoln classes there was a visible lack of judgment in the classing—but the younger rams and ewes were exceptionally good. In the class for aged rams Mr Menlove had a very beautifully woolled sheep—perhaps the beat in his class. His mate was a fine sheep, but was not so well woolled, end Mr Bussell’s pair, one of which was the best ram in the lot, carried off first honors. The young rams were all good, Mr Bussell’s pen taking first honors. His exhibit, Ho. 159, was a grand sheep in every respect. Class -24, for two best ewes above eighteen months, was perhaps the beet lot of Lincoln ewes ever shown in Canterbury, Mr Be id, of Oamaru, showing three pair of long and heavy stapled ewes shorn in September last. The first pen was thrown out on account of the wool being very tender. Mr Menlove had also three splendid pens of sheep, with fine carcasses and well woolled to the head, while Mr Bussell’s were rare good sheep with even quality of wool. The ewes under eighteen months old were also a grand lot. Here Mr Bussell secured first prize with an uncommonly nice pen, but the judges must have had some trouble from the fact that the pens ran very unevenly. In the class for the best ewe above eighteen months, Mr Eeed’s three representatives, of whom two were assigned first and second honors, were all excellent. Mr Menlove’s exhibits were all older sheep, and shorn later. They were three right good sheep. Mr Bussell took third honors with a beautiful symmetrical ewe with abundance of wool of fine quality. In class 27, for the best owe under eighteen months, Mr Bussell’s first prize exhibit was a wonderfully well woolled hogget, the looks trailing on the ground, and she was the best woolled Lincoln sheep underneath on the ground. Unfortunately she had a speckled face and legs, but such a fleece could not have been passed over. Mr Bussell’s second prize exhibit was } slightly inferior; with the same care in getting up the sheep Mr Menlove’s exhibit (3rd prize) would have taken a higher place. It will be seen that Messrs Beid, Menlove, and Bussell were j the sole exhibitors in this class. Their exhibits were throughout so uniformly good, that had there been many more of the same sort the judges’ work would have been of a very lengthened kind. As it was, their labours must have been very arduous. The exhibits in the Lincoln classes were small, which is rather surprising, considering how very fitted the greater portion of this district is for this breed of sheep. A good many in this class were in anything but show condition, and we sadly missed the well brought out and highly bred stock of Mr Parker, which were so conspicuous here last year. In class 12 there was only one exhibit, a pair of useful sheep. There was nothing of any striking merit until we came to Mr Bussell’s champion ram, an animal that would bo hard to beat in any show yard. Mr Bussell also appropriated the lion’s share of prizes in this class with other fine sheep, but some of hia young sheep showed a strain of the Lincoln blood. Mr Bussell’s two in this class were certainly superior animals, as was also the same gentleman’s ewe in class 18. The Eomney Marsh sheep were very good, Mr Beid’s exhibits showing special excellence. Mr Oox had some nice sheep, but they were not in show condition.

The fat sheep were few in number, and though some were exceptionally prime, the lot, as a whole, were not up to show form, and were, with the exception of 231 (which, though the smallest sheep, showed most quality) very uneven. In each pen there were one or two good butchers’ sheep, but the quality wag very uneven. In the way ot extra stock there wore some few Hampshire Downs and a lot of merino rams, the property of the Hon. E. Campbell, These were of exceptionally grand quality, with fine constitutions, and splendidly fleeced. OATTIiH. The cattle part of the show wag the centre of attraction for the bucolic element, some really fine beasts being exhibited, in the short horn class, best bull of any age, Mr Russell achieved a well deserved victory. This bull has for some time past been looked upon as possessing no ordinary degree of merit, but for some reason he has not received that recognition of his merits to which he was entitled. Mr Kelland came second with Knight Errant, a well made bull, by Esau. Skebelloff, a Victorian bred bull, came third. He is a nicely made animal, but somewhat coarse. In the next class, for best bull calved since July Ist, 1878, Mr Menlove scored a well deserved win with Christmas Knight, Mr Wildie coming second with a wellmade animal by Hastings. Mr Bussell scored a third with Knight Templar. In the class for bull calved since July Ist, 1879, Mr Kelland scored first and third with Prince of Denmark and jMarlborongb, Mr Bussell scoring second with Tudor, by Hastings. In the class for bull calved since Janu ry Ist, 1880, Mr Bussell took first with Earl ot Beaoonsfield, Mr Menlove coming second with Earl of Brunswick, and Mr Kelland third with Bedford. lu the class for cow of any age there was very keen competition. Mr Menlove carried the prise off with a very nice level beast, Mr Bussell coming second and third with two nice exhibits. Eor the best heifer calved since July Ist. 1877, there were six entries, and again Mr Menlove was the first and second with two very nice useful animals. The Ayrshire class throughout was exceedingly creditable, the exhibits of Messrs Stevenson, MoKerrow and others receiving high commendation. Mr Moody had a nice exhibit of Brittany cattle, which attracted considerable attention during the day. The fat cattle were not numerous, but their quality was undeniable. HOBSBS. The show of horses almost throughout was especially good, and many of the classes, especially amongst the draught horses, would compare most favourably with those of the Metropolitan Shows. Twelve came out to compete for the “ Best Entire Horse on the Ground,” and a very good lot they were, though most of them were terribly on the big side. Here last year’s verdict was reversed by Prince Victor’s taking first honors; Renfrew Jock, a very useful animal, being second ; and Lord Oastlereagh, who justly evoked a great deal of interest, third. It may be hero stated that the numbering of the horses was very badly managed. The numbers were so minutely written in ink as to be virtually invisible, and the committee would do well next season to print the numbers legibly, as done at the Christchurch Metropolitan Show. There were only a trio of three-year-old stallions, the prize-taker turning in Prince Napoleon, a giant standing over 17 hands. The two-year-old stallions were an exceptionally good lot, and the class being numerous the judges must have had unusual trouble in arriving at their decision. The winner, Luck-is-all, by Banker, is a model of symmetry. The yearling entire colts were also for the most part excellent, but the prizes were not decided when the express left the ground. The gelding entries were not numerous, but the quality was there, Mr Menlove being [the principal exhibitor. The old mares were seven in number, and a grand lot they were, while proportionately the quintette of three-year-old fillies were quite as good. Here Mr Menlove secured first honors, with a beautiful daughter of Maggie Lander 2nd, and a finer filly seldom walked in a show ground. The class for two-year-old fillies was also excellent; they were eleven in number, Mr J. Qrigg being responsible for three very good ones. A round dozen of yearling fillies made up another good class, which also must have given the judges trouble, as they were mostly a very even lot. Altogether the heavy stock was above all praise, and we have seldom been through a horse show where there were fewer animals one could have wished absentees. The class for thoroughbred stallions was represented by six entries, poor old Castaway being of course an absentee. The judges assigned first honors to Jangler and second to Defamer, Trump Card attracted quite as much notice as either, and Sherwood and Camden are useful horses if placed right. There were only two hackney stallions, and, as is usually the case, neither exhibit was of the first order. The pair of coaching stallions were a great improvement, Ootherstone (first prize) showing a lot of quality, and Squatter being a powerful useful animal. The thoroughbred mares and fillies were but few in number, and do not require any special comment. The hacks and ladies’ hacks were certoinly the best lot we have seen for some time on any Canterbury show ground, the Metropolitan not exoepted. There was a stylo and fashion about many of the exhibits to whioh spectators in these classes have long been strangers. There was only one pair of carriage horses, but they were nice upstanding animals. The buggy horses

were fair and the ponies good. Mr Dampier Orossley’s now well-known imported Norfolk trotter Prince Charming attracted a very great deal of attention, and is certainly a very handsome little fellow. The jumping match for hunters came off in the afternoon in a gully running through the centre of the show ground. It was capital going, and the sides of the hills afforded a grand vantage ground for the spectators, who must have numbered nearly 5000. Eleven horses competed, most of them being really what they were represented to be, fair weightcarrying hunters. Nearly all of them fenced in capital form, and the competition was an interesting one. The judges finally awarded the prize for jumping to Darkie, who was very cleverly handled by his owner, Mr A. Cox. The prize for the best all-round hunter fell to Pickles, a five-year-old, by Talisman, subject to passing an examination for soundness. Don, it seems, was placed next. Old Alma out up very badly, and would have none of it. The hurdles, three in number, were all swinging ones, which was perhaps as well for some of the performers, bnt the jum .-s would have been better for a bush lopping. PIGS. The show of pigs was anything but creditable to the district, there being bnt few entries and the quality but mediocre. It therefore is scarcely necessary to make any lengthened remarks on the subject, except to hope that the farmers of South Canterbury will see that the careful breeding of the gentleman that in Ould Ireland pays the rint, would, in the end, prove a most profitable adjunct to the growing of grain, &j. POULTRY, Without exception, the poultry exhibited was of the most mediocre description, and fully bears out the opinion expressed, that the show of poultry at this time of the year is a mistake. Not one pen was worthy of notice, and the sooner the association strike this item out of their catalogue the better. IMPLEMENTS. The show in this department, though numerically strong, was not so in the classes for competition, being principally composed of articles for exhibition. There were one or two little errors in the judging, which will seriously affect the future success of this class. The judges, so far as could be seen from their awards yesterday, totally ignored all other implement makers except Beid and Gray, who, jof course, were the principal exhibitors. No doubt this fact tended, a great deal, to give them a number of prizes, but there were cases in which other implements of merit were entirely ignored. Whilst qnite admitting that Messrs Beid and Gray tarn out some very fine work, it is expected by exhibitors who come from a distance that they shall receive some consideration and encouragement. Unless they do, they certainly will not take the trouble to send their exhibits so many miles, and the implement classes of the catalogue will be left entirely to the übiquitous firm of Beid and Gray, Another point to which reference may be made is the practice obtaining in Timaru, as well|as at other Southern shows, of allowing the makers of implements, &0., to brand their exhibits in the largest possible letters with the name of the firm. This is altogether opposed to our notion of what is right. Care is taken in every other ! department of the show to prevent the judges becoming acquainted with the name of the exhibitor, and yet in the implements it is flaunted before their eyes on every part of the article exhibited. Such a thing should at once disqualify an exhibitor as being calculated to bias and influence the minds of the judges. In class 1, for the best single-furrow plough, Messrs P. and D. Duncan, and Beid and Gray, were the only exhibitors. Here the judges made a serious error in passing over entirely one of Messrs Duncan’s exhibits, the best plough of the and giving the second prize to one by Beid and Gray. Messrs Duncan took first prize with a well made implement capitally finished, but the first prize should have gone to the one passed over, the first prize implement receiving a second, and Messrs Beid and Gray, if necessary, a highly commended. In the next ola/.s, for double-furrow plougbs, Messrs Beid and Gray took first. Messrs Duncan had a very nice exhibit, but it was not even commended, though no other prize than that to Beid and Gray was awarded in the_ class. In the class for tumwrist plough, Beid and Gray once more scared a win ; Andrews and Heaven’s exhibit not being in such good show condition. The gorse cutting machine of Beid and Gray was the only one on the ground. The catalogue said that a trial should take place prior to the show, but whether this was so or not no information was procurable. In the class for harrows, Messrs Beid and Gray took the lion’s share of the prizes; indeed, throughout the whole class they were exceedingly fortunate. In the class for corn drills, Andrews and Beaven had a very good exhibit, fitted with all the latest improvements. Mr Pilbrow’s three exhibits of English make received third prize each, Beid and Gray took a well deserved first prize for an excellent farm cart, and Mr Young, of St. Andrew’s, had also a good exhibit, though somewhat lighter in make. The prizes in the reapers and mowers went exclusively to Beid and Gray, Messrs B. Wilkin and Co., with Osborne No. 5 and Osborne No. 6 respectively, securing two second prizes. The Osborne and McCormick were the only two reapers and binders on the ground. The former worked the new 1880 string binder attachment, which has already been described, and the latter Mr Cooper’s string attachment, which was on view at the recent industrial exhibition. The Osborne was awarded first prize, bnt here again it seems an anomaly for judges to give prizes unless field trials are had so as to show practically which is the best machine. Beid and Gray took first prize in the class for best broadcast sower and grass sowing machine with the same implement, Messrs P. and D. Duncan coming second. Mr Dow had a very good useful churn, the great advantage of which is that space being left between the dashers and the barrel it is enabled to be kept perfectly clean, no lodgment of cream, &a., being possible. The extra exhibits formed a very considerable portion of the show of implements. Amongst these were traction engines exhibited by Messrs Christie and Campbell, horse powers by Andrews and Beaven, cooking ranges, windmills, and grass strippers by Soott Bros., and chaff cutters by Andrews and Beaven. Messrs Beid and Gray had a well built spring cart and handsome single-seated buggy, but the latter would hardly stand comparison with those shown at the recent Industrial Exhibition. Two of the most noticeable items in this department were, first, some patent hedge and grass edge cutters, exhibited by Mr Bradbury. These handy little implements enable anyone to cut the edges of walks where it is impossible to take the lawn mower, and also to trim hedges, &o. The second noticeable item was a patent mangle exhibited by Mr Dungan. This very ingenious machine not only saves labor but also does the work infinitely better. With the ordinary box mangle eighty-four revolutions of the handle are required to get the box up, but with this only three. There is also another great point, which is, that by pressure of the foot on a lever the box is raised, so as to allow of the rollers being taken out. The working ie so easy that it can be done by a child. Token as a whole, thoughjwe should like to see more oompetition in the various classes, the implements were highly creditable. Next year, perhaps, there will be more makers willing to try conclusions with the lucky local firm. DAIRY PRODUCE. The show of dairy produce was excellent throughout, the butter especially. The entries of cheese were but small, which is to be regretted, as no more profitable industry could be developed than the production of cheese. Beyond this, the country is so well adapted for the production of cheese that it is wonderful such a profitable industry has been so neglected as it appears to have been by the farmers in South Canterbury. The wheat, barley, and oats exhibited were exceedingly good, but, owing to the absence of scales, no weights of the grain were taken. In the white wheat Mr Lowe took first prize and the medal, Mr Qusoott scoring first for red. The New Zealand Meat Preserving Company exhibited some very fine mangolds. The bacon shown was fairly good and so were the hams, but not so good as we should have looked for.

[PKB PBESB ASSOCIATION BPBOIAI WXEB.] TIMARU, October 27. The agricultural show to-day was a great success, and was superior to any of the previous ones, not only as regards the quality of the exhibits but the attendance of people. Fully 5500 were on the ground. The cattle and horses were exceptionally good. The Champion medals in sheep were taken by Mr Joseph Pearson, for merino; Mr H. Russell, for Leicester and Lincoln; and Mr John Reid, for Romney Marsh. Mr Jas. McDonald carried off the Champion medal for cattle, and Mr E. Menlove that for horses.