THE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION SHOW.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2372, 9 November 1881, Page 3

THE AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION SHOW.

The anniversary of this great event broke with an appearance of the weather that threatened to damp, In every sense of the word, the pleasure of the thousands who, from various reasons, look forward to the day as their one great holiday of the year. Fortunately, however, as the day advanced, their fears proved groundless, and for sightseers no better circumstances could be desired. It was sufficiently mild to encourage the display of those adornments which the ladies know so well how to display, to the delight of themselves and the enlivenment of the scene. The sun certainly did not make his appearance, but neither did the dust, and altogether up to the time of our going to press the day was enjoyable, as has been experienced on like occasions for many a year. The numbers who visited the grounds must have been considerably in excess of previous years. The tramcars, though working double tides, and crammed at each trip with passengers, seemed to leave plenty of occupation for any quantity of other vehicles, each taking their full load, while the footpaths, from town right down to the gates of the grounds—a distance of about a mile—were thronged with men, women and children. The grounds, which year by year seem to grow conveniences of every kind, presented the appearance which has so often been described, as to induce the suspicion that to a certain extent what has been written about them a long time since, has been stereotyped and is reproduced perennially as the time for use comes round. Foremost to claim attention under the heap of amusements wore the two very full brass bands, which wore in attendance in uniform. They discoursed excellent music, and were the centre of an admiring crowd. A merry-go-round—one of the good old fashioned sort —with your regular, ramping, high mottled steeds, prarced arou d to the delight of crowds of small boys, and some largo boys too. The unioycle also ran in its groove with unerring precision, and without accident all day. Toy booths, confectioners’ booth, booths for the sale of buns, cakes, lollies, and “ Imperial pop.” Mr John Ollivier hero found and made his own peculiar sport. With an unlimited amount of loose silver, he mounted a stool in front of a booth, and with a view hallo gathered round him swarms of little fellows, to whom he threw, and they scrambled for, in glorious c-mfusion, confectionery, nuts, and everything he and they could lay their hands on. A shooting gallery, most appropriate in these warlike days, was surrounded by volunteers in embryo eager to practice for future occasion at a small trifle per shot ; in short, amusements proper to the occasion were numerous and well patronised. Entering the gate and going always to the left a rapid survey showed the following arrangements. The Davis sewing machine was made to exhibit its intricate workmanship by the deft fingers of a gentleman, whose place, however, might, with more satisfaction to the onlookers, have been filled with one of the gentler sex. T. O. Kelsey’s stand of Yankee notions in the shape of labor economising machines, had many admirers. Next was Mr B. Hale, with an exhibit of twines ; a Yankee selling indestructible cement; McLaren with seeds ; Robert Wilkin and 00., seeds; Hudson, Ridley and 00., churns; F. W. Isitt, seeds; Twentyman and Cousin, ironmongery and implements. In the shod were A. W. Ensor and the New Zealand Produce Company with wool in the bale in various stages of preparation for market; James Seed with dressed flax and rope (Phormium) ; Robert Marshall, Hayman Bros, and R. Q-ould with twines of the same material. The Kaiapoi Woollen Manufactory had a large space filled with its wares; opposite to them was McLeod Bros.’, of Dunedin, exhibit of soap and and candles, Toomer Bros, with loathes, Dunbar with saddlery, Little, sheep-dip ; and or a whole side of the building was devoted to magnificent samples of hams, bacon, cheese, and butter. Leaving the shed, and still going to the left, a large number of stoves and cooking ranges were on view. The finest of the lot was a 6ft 6in range, by Watters, labelled as sold for £29 10s, Messrs Crompton and Atkins also exhibited highly finished specimens of the same articles. Of engines there were five in work driving combines, the number of powers of every description was very large. A row of buggies, dogcarts, phaetons, and vehicles of various kinds had plenty of admirers. On the right-hand side of the gates, were to ba seen farming implements in great variety ; specimens of bricks, tiles, and pottery, all ot local manufacture, from the kilns of Messrs Neighbours, Austin, Kirk, and Co., Oonciliff and Co., of Whitocliffa, who showed seme well-finished ornamental tiles, Mr G-. Richardson, with his exhibit of beautiful porcelain manufactured by himself, and the Springfield Potteries. There was also an immense block of coal from Springfield, which, if it had nothing else, had size to recommend it. But this notice is not intended to be a catalogue, which would alone fill the paper. The horses, cattle and sheep were disposed, as usual, around three sides of the enclosure, and, of course, wore the chief attraction. A commodious and well-arranged tent was devoted to the dog show, which, to do it justice, would require columns of our apacej; 229 in number, classed in fifty groups, they were truly a magnificent collection. From the noble St. Bernard and a splendid specimen of the English mastiff down to the the pretty toy spaniel, all were excellent. The flower show also was an unmitigated success, and was freely visited. On the whole, then, whether as to the number of exhibits or the number of visitors, it is certain that the show of this year far surpasses anything that has gone before.