ELLESMERE SHOW.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2674, 1 November 1882, Page 3

ELLESMERE SHOW.

• Patron, Sir John Hall; president, Mr John , liennie; vice-president, Mr Marshall; treasurer, Mr Osborn ; lion, secretary, Mr F. Jameson. The annual oxliibition vmdor the auspices ot tbq Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association took place yesterday on the , grounds of the association, when there was a good attendance of visitors, though the show as a whole was scarcely up to the usual average, and the weather was exceedingly good. The Leeston Band was on the ground, hut the only noticeable item about its performance was the unfailing and unvarying regularity with which, whatever might be the tune of the selection, the gentleman playing the big drum heat his instrument. The armless lady and the phonograph were on exhibition, and there were all also the usual display of fancy goods stalls. A novelty in amusement was afforded hy a band of peripatetic Ethiopian serenaders numbering two, one of whom manipulated the banjo and the other the hones. These gentlemen were dressed in the costume worn by the African natives from time immemorial, viz., high collars and pointed tail coats of bed curtain pattern. These gentlemen regaled the public with several ditties of a comic and sentimental nature, and seemed to extract the coins pretty readily from their audiences. The convenience of the shed erected upon the ground, both for the carrying out of the work of the secretary and also the display of the dairy produce exhibit, was very manifest, being an agreeable change from the old-fashioned tent. The show of dairy produce was not so large as might have been expected in such a district as Leeston. The sheep classes also showed a falling off, but in the horses and cattle there was a fairly good number exhibited. The implements were not noticeable for any variety, being the usual exhibits met with, except in one instance, that was the dog carts and waggonnettes of local manufacture exhibited by Mr Durant. These were excellent specimens of coach-building work, strong and yet light, well-set on the springs, and tastefully upholstered. The grain exhibits were, though small in number, of excellent quality, particularly the wheat, which was clean, plump, bright, and heavy grain. The wool classes filled well, and had it not bean for a mistake in the entry of the parcels the prize list would have been larger. The pigs were few in number, and had nothing particular about them to call for comment. The appearance of the poultry only again corroborates the truth of what for several years we have urged upon the committee of management of the various shows—viz., that it is high time that this class was omitted from the catalogue. There were some of the birds cooped up in boxes not nearly large enough for them. One noticeable omission from the show was the display of silversmith’s ware, comprised in the private prizes, which in former years has been a feature of the show. Mr Jameson, the secretary of the association, was most courteous to the visiting representatives of the Fourth Estate, and afforded them every information. We append a brief resume of the various classes, together with the prize list. In the Leicester class, ram above eighteen months, Mr Ronnie had a nice sheep, well woolled, and o{ good quality. Mr Rennie, in the succeeding three classes, took the prizes with good pens of sheep. The class was but indifferently represented as regards number, but the quality of the exhibits was good. In the Lincoln classes, Mr H. Overton was the principal exhibitor, and his sheep wore tested by an experiment in feeding, which he finds is a failure. That was to keep them entirely on grass, and not give them either roots or corn. The failure, it may be noted, was not as regards their condition but as to the wool, the grass feeding appearing to he unable to produce the requisite strength of staple. The experiment is a very interesting one, and no doubt Mr Overton’s trial will he sufficient to induce farmers not to confine their sheep wholly to grass feed. The Romney Marsh classes were entirely in the hands of Mr W. D. Lawrence, who had some nice pens. The sheep classes as a whole were not up to the usual standard, and we noticed with regret the absence of Mr H. J. Hall as an exhibitor, he always having good sheep. In the cattle classes some very good animals were exhibited. The class for bull of any age only brought out one entry, that of Mr Watson, who had a nice animal hy :

Wizard. The first prize in the class for hull calved since .Tidy Ist, 1879, was taken by Mr Bluett’s Alvie’s Hero. Mr Fay had a very good animal in this class, but he was somewhat out of condition. The second prize was taken by Mr Withell. In the two-year-old bull class Mr J. A. Williams took first prize with a well bred animal. The second prizetaker exhibited by Mr Watson, by Spartan, was a nice handler and altogether a good beast. In the yearling bulls the judges did not consider the animals exhibited worthy of a first prize. Mr Limn had a very nice animal in the class for bull calved since January Ist, 1882, by Marrowfat, which promises to furnish out into a fine bull. The other exhibits in the various classes|do not call for any special notice, except a very fine heifer exhibited by Mr Boag, by Alphonso, which w T as wrongly entered in the milch cow class. She was one of the best on the ground, showing any amount of quality. The horses were fairly good in the different classes. The thoroughbred entries were only represented by two entries, one by Towton, and the other, whose pedigree was not given, exhibited by Mr Mcllraith, which was awarded the prize for the best thoroughbred entire on the ground. Irvington, the American trotter, was on the ground, and attracted considerable attention. The remainder of the exhibits in this class were of the ordinary character. For the draught entires there were three entries, and Mr MeKellar deservedly took the first and special prize with Prince Koyal, who looked the pink of condition. The other horses do not call for any special mention, except to call the attention of the committee to the fact that nearly the whole of the competitors were scattered in every direction over the ground, the saddle horses especially so, thus making it very difficult for visitors to inspect them. In future it .might be as well to have a rule compelling the animals exhibited to be kept in their places, say till 2 p.m. on the day of the show. The leaping match brought out ton entries. The difficulty on show grounds not so admirably suited for this very popular portion of the show is obtaining a clear field for the horses, who are rendered frightened by the crowd of people round them. Some pretty jumping was shown, but Mousetrap proved too clever a fencer for his antagonists. Neither the pigs nor fowls call for much comment, except to remark that the sooner the latter class is excised altogether from the prize schedule the better. The show of implements was of the ordinary character, there being nothing particularly calling for special notice, except the dog carts made by Mr Durant, to which attention has already been directed, and a barb wire gate by the same exhibitor, which was a very ingenious cattle preventer. The display of dairy produce, the butter excepted, was not such as might have been expected in a district like Leeston. The cheese class, for instance, only produced six entries, and the bacon and ham classes were but very middling. The hams were badly cut and far too highly salted, in some instances burning away the moat; and the bacon was thin. It seems bad policy on the part of the farmers of the Ellesmere district —one particularly adapted for the growth of bacon pigs—that they do not pay more attention to this branch of industry. The butter exhibits were excellent. In every instance it was well worked, of good color and excellent taste. The salt butter for export was also well corned, sweet, and not too salt. In the same shed was displayed the -wool exhibits, which were of good quality, some of the fleeces being very bright and good staple, the Lincoln only being represented. The show in this department was very creditable to the district. One or two exhibits of excellent quality were wrongly classed, which prevented their receiving that recognition at the hands of the judges they otherwise would have done. The grain exhibits, though not so numerous as one would have liked to see, were yet of excellent quality. The sample of spring wheat exhibited by Mr J. Osborne, which scaled GGib, was a fine plump grain. Mr Overton came second with a nice sample of white Tuscan scaling GSlbs full. Mr Osborne also secured a highly commended for a nice clean sample giving 651bs, and Mr Watson was commended for his exhibit, which would have received greater honour but for the presence of some wheat and tares in it. This sample went GUlbs. In the winter wheats Mr Osborne took firsl with a fine weighty sample of clean, firir grain weighing (i-llbs. Mr H. Overton came second with a sample of pearl giving 0211bs Mr Osborne was the only exhibitor in shori oats, and took first and second prizes witl samples weighing respectively 4Gllbs am. ' -IGilbs. Mr John Coo was the only exhibit©:

in barley, the description sent being Carter’s Prolific. The sample was a fairly good one but far too much beard left on. Hence, no doubt, the judges awarded only a commended ticket. The peas and other seeds exhibited were of good quality. Mr Desborough exhibited some samples of wheat grown in Adelaide, viz., Lnmmas’s Purple Tuscan and White Essex, all of which were nice clean bright wheats. The

sheep dogs exhibited -were good-looking' animals, but no practical trial teas had of their merits, an omission which we thint ought to be rectified next year, as, in addition to being a novelty to the public, the judges would be better able to arrive at acorrect estimate of the merits of each animal.

Messrs Austin and Kirk exhibited a Very fine collection of pottery and fire clay goods, winch deservedly received a very highly commended. Had the goods been entered for competition, a fiest prize would, have been awarded. PRIZE LIST. SHEEP. Judges—Messrs A. D. McHmith, D. McMillan and P. C. Threlkeld. LEICESTEE BREED.

Class 1, ram, above eighteen months old--Ist prize, John Rennie Class 3, ewe, above eighteen months old. Ist prize, John Rennie Class 4, ewe, under eighteen months old. Ist prize, John Rennie Class 5, three ewes, above eighteen months old, with lamb at foot. Ist prize, John Rennie LINCOLN BREEDS. Class 7, ram, above eighteen months old. Ist prize, Charles Withell; 2nd, highly commended and commended, H. Overton' Class S, ram, under eighteen months old. Ist and 2nd prizes, highly commended and. commended, H. Overton Class 9, ewe, above eighteen months old. Ist prize, Charles Withell Class 10, ewe, under eighteen months old, Ist prize, G. Barker ; 2nd, Charles Withell Class 11, three ewes, above eighteen months old, with lamb at foot, Ist and 2nd prizes, Charles Withell Class 12, three ewes, under eighteen months old. Ist and 2nd prize, George Barker Extra Exhibit. One pen of six rams, above eighteen months old. Commended, H. Overton EOMXIY MARSH BREED. Class 13, ram, above eighteen months old. Ist and 2nd prize, and commended, W. D. Lawrence ANT DOWN BREED. Class 19, ram, above eighteen months old. Ist and 2nd prize, C. Lewis Class 22, ewe, under eighteen months old. Ist and 2nd prize, and highly commended, C. Lewis Class 24, three ewes, under eighteen months old. Ist prize, C. Lewis CROSSBRED. (First cross from merino ewe, hy any lopgwoolled ram, or vice versa.) Class 25—Five ewes, above eighteenmonths old, with lamb at foot. Ist prize, J. Osborne Class 20, five ewes or wethers, under eighteen months old. Ist and 2nd prizes, Charles Withell; highly commended and commended. Job Osborne PAT SHEEP. (For butchers’ purposes, and must have been shorn within twenty-one days of exhibition.) Judges—Messrs J. Mcßeth and J. Mann. Class 29, five fat ewes, six-tooth and under, first cross from merino ewe, by any longwoolled ram, or vice versa. Ist and 2nd prizes. Job Osborne Class 30, five fat wethers, six-tooth and under, first cross from merino ewe, by any longwoolled ram, or r-ice versa. Ist and 2nd prizes and highly commended. Job Osborne; commended, John Rennie HOGGETS IN WOOL AND LAMBS. Class 31, five fat hoggets, first cross from, merino ewe, hy any longwoolled ram. Ist prize, Charles Withell Class 32, ten fat hoggets, unshorn. Ist prize, C. Lewis; 2nd, Charles Withell; very highly commended, H. Overton Class 33, ten fat lambs, any longwoolledi breed, unshorn (for butchers’ purposes only). Ist prize, Baxter Bros. Class 34, ten fat lambs, any Down breed, unshorn (for butchers’ purposes only). Ist prize, C. Lewis; 2nd, John Rennie. Special Prizes.

?vMr W. D. Lawrence’s special prize of JS33s for the best Leicester ram over eighteen, months old. Ist jirize, John Rennie Mr H. Pannett’a special prize of .£3 3s for the best Lincoln ram over eighteen months old. Ist prize, Charles Withell Mr John Boag’s prize of A 3 3s for thebest three Lincoln ewes over eighteen, months old, with lambs at foot. Ist prize,, Charles Withell

Mr John Boag’s prize of .£2 2s for the best five crossbred ewes or wethers under eighteen months old. , Ist prize, Charles Withell

Messrs Bluett, Frankish and Co.’s prize of .£2 12s 6d for the best five fat sheep, bred and grazed by [exhibitor. Ist prize. Job Osborne

The “ Lyttelton Times ” Co.’s prize of £2. 2s for the best ten fat hoggets, unshorn, lei prize, C. Lewis Mr Job Osborne’s prize of £2 2s for the best ten fat lambs. Ist prize, C. ijewis CATTLE

(imported or otherwise). Judges—Messrs John Deans, S. Garforth, J. G. Murray. Class 1, bull of any age. Ist prize, Wm. Watson, Spartan Class 2, bull calved since July Ist, 187£L Ist prize, W. J. G. Bluett, Alvie’s Hero; 2nd, Charles Withell, Jackdaw 11. Class 3, bull calved since July Ist, 1880Ist prize, Janies A.Williams, Tenant-right; 2nd, Win. Watson, Marquis of Huntingdon; commended, 11. Withell, Napoleon Class 4, bull, calved since July Ist, 1881. Highly commended, Isaac Mawsou, Pride of Brookside; commended, Wm. Watson„ Duke Class 5, bull, calved since January Ist, 1882; date of birth to be given at time of entry. Ist prize, W. G. Lunn, Eefrigerator. Class G, heifer in milk, or in calf, calvei since July Ist, 1879. Ist and 2nd prize, John Cunningham, Broccoli and Sweetbriar; commended, Wm. Watson, Eose Class 7, heifer, calved since July Ist, 1880. Ist prize, Wiliam Bong, Pride of Lothians; 2nd, John Cunningham, Heather Bell; highly commended, Thomas Stcne, Winsome

Class 8, heifer, calved since July Ist, 1881. Ist prize, William Boag; 2nd, John Cunningham, Laverick v Class 9, heifer, calved since ’January Ist, 1882. Ist and 2nd prize, Geo. Stephens, Dairy Maid and Cherry Blossom ; highly commended, 11. Pannett; commended, Wm. Watson Nymph 11. Class 10, milch cow, of any age or breed (in milk or in .calf). Ist prize, Henry Pannett; 2nd, William Watson, Young Pretty; highly commended, John Cunningham, Skylark Class 11, milch cow, of any age or breed, bred in the district (in milk or in calf). Ist

prize, William Watson, Mayflower; 2nd, John Cunningham, Lady II.; highly commended, William Watson, Princess Beatrice, and Kobert Hogg Class 12, fat bullock, calved since July Ist, 1879. Ist and 2nd prize, W. Smithson Class 13, fat steer, calved since July Ist,

1880. No entry „ , , Class 14, fat cow, open to all. Ist prize,. A. Storry; 2nd, William Watson Extra Exhibits. Ist prize, W. Bridge, Jersey bull. Prince of Wales Special Prizes. Sir C. Lewis’s prize of J-3 3s, for the best bull of any age. Ist prize, W. J. G. Bluett, Alvie’s Hero Messrs G. Booth and Son's special prize of .£2 2s, for the best milch cow, of any age, or breed, in milk or in calf. Ist prize, H.. Pannett Mr Isaac Mawson’s special prize of £'2 2s, for the best milch cow, any age or breed, in. milk or in calf, bred in the district. Ist prize, William Watson, Mayflower HORSES. Judges—Messrs W. J. G. Bluett, McLeod, and Brabazon. BLOOD STOCK. Class 1, thoroughbred entire. Ist prize, W. McHraith, Burlington ; 2nd, C. Evered, The Chief Class 2, thoroughbred mare, in foal orwith foal at foot. Ist prize, W. Spring, Stella ; E. Bryan, Lady Caledon Class 4, filly, foaled since July Ist, 1879. Ist prize, R. Bryan, Lady Dagworth Special Prizes. Messrs Campbell and Co.’s, £2 12s Gd, for the best throughbred entire. Ist prize, W. Mcllraith, Burlington Messrs Campbell and Co.’s, £2 12s Cd, for the best thoroughbred mare, in foal or with foal at foot. Ist prize, W. Spring, Stella. CARRIAGE HORSES. Class 9, entire. Ist prize, George King, Irvington Class 10, Brood mare, for breeding purposes (in foal or with foal at foot). Ist prize, W. Blackler Class 11, dry mare or gelding, to ho driven in a vehicle. Ist prize, A. Storry, Te Whiti ; 2nd, E. Prankish, Tim ; highly commended, George Cooper, sen., Toby Class 13, tillyor gelding, foaled since July Ist, 1879. Ist prize, William Watson, Gentle Annie Class 14, filly or colt, foaled since July Ist, 1881. Ist prize, W. Granger, Larrikin HACKNEYS. Class 17, roadster or hack, mare or gelding, tit to carry over 12st Glh, to ho shown in saddle. Ist prize, E. E. Northey, Waihora; 2nd, A. Storry, Hector Class 18, roadster or hack, mare or gelding, fit to carry over lOst Glfc, and under 12st Gib, to he shown in saddle. Ist prize, W. G. Lunn, Jock ; 2nd, William Holley, Duncan; highly commended. Job Osborne, Andy