KING COUNTRY CENTRAL A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 543, 19 February 1913, Page 5

KING COUNTRY CENTRAL A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

SECOND ANNUAL SHOW. OPENING DAY. Officers President, Mr R. M. Somerville; vice-president, Mr C. Stevens; General committee: Major Lusk. Messrs J. Boddie, N. C. Matthew, J. R. Graham, F. B. Darrow, S. Kelso. F. Vercoe, W. Gadshy, M. Jones, A. Shannon, B. Hardy, J. Young, H. Rothery. A. F. Howarth, W. J. Hunt, P. Mora, Petch—Te Kuiti; A. Scholes, Hangatiki: R. Gregg, Otorohanga; J. Wall, Paemako; R. Livingston, Pio Pio; R. H. McKenzie, Aria; H. Voyce. Mairoa; ME. C. Stanley, Marokopa; C S. Brittain, Rangitoto; G. Berry, Wai teti; K. Gould. Arapae; E Moore, Mahoenui; R. Were, Ngapaenga; C. Erikson, Waimiha; C. J. Ryan. Taumarunui; Mr Ross, Mangaotaki: Mr Lethbridge, Puniu; Mr Sharp, Puketutu. Executive Committee: Messrs Gadsby, Matthew, Shannon, F. B. Hardy, Major Lusk, Brittain, Berry. Treasurer, Mr H. J. Mussen. Secretary, Mr L. C. Harton. The second annual show under the auspices of the King Country Central Agricultural and Pastoral Association was opened at the Te Kuiti Showground to-day. The weather was dull and threatening, but the attendance for opening day exceeded expectations. The inaugural show last year was limited to one day, but it was decided this year to extend the function to two days, a step which has met with general approval throughout the district. For some time past the committee, led by the president, Mr R. M. Somerville, has been working hard to have everything in order for the opening day, and the arrangements both for exhibitors and public are entirely satisfactory. Owing to judging not being commenced until well into the forenoon the results will not be published untii next issue. HORSES.

As was the case last year the entries in the horse classes are numerous and the exhibits are of excellent quality. The King Country is generally held to be a district highly suitable for horse breeding, and when the district has been developed to a greater extent, there is little doubt the class of animals bred will compare favourably with those produced in any other district in the Dominion. The classes for draughts are well filled, the entries being represented hy Mr E. Moores Lord Ripley, which was shown last year, and Mr W. Alexander's Royal Signal. Mares and young stock are also well represented and in the farmers classes are to be seen some useful sorts. The classes for harness horses and hacks carry a record entry while the compe titors in the various competitions are a fine lot and should provide some very interesting contests. CATTLE. The pedigree classes are fairly well represented, but the district is yet too new to provide a very large entry from local breeders*. However, indications are not lacking that the King Country farmers are thoroughly alive to the advantages of breeding the best class of stock and very creditable exhibits are shown. The advance of dairying in the district is indicated by the class of dairy cattle exhibited by local farmers, and it is interesting to note that there are Maori exhibitors competing in the classes , for dairy cows. The fat cattle are all from local graziers, and some excellent specimens of beef are exhibited. SHEEP. It is gratifying to note that the entries in th<? sheep classes ar* well in advance of last year, both in the fat sheep classes and those for flock sheep. Lincolns and Romneya are all well represented, the two latter classes being exceptionally strong. Romneys and Lincolns have been found to be the most suitable breed for this district and hitherto and both purebreds, and the Romney-Lincoln eruss are popular. The farmers' classes, which were intended to encourage the breeding of the right sort of sheep locally have not been so well supported as was anticipated, but it is hoped that much better support will be accorded by the local farmers at future shows. PIGS. The pig entries are monopolised by Mr E. J. Rogers, who was a highly successful exhibitor at last show. Some very fine animals are on exhibition, and doubtless when dairying has made further progress in this district outside exhibitors will have much keener competition with the useful animal which pays the rent. x U.A.G.D. The Pride of Te Kuiti Lodge held the quarterly meeting in the lodge room last evening, when there was a good attendance. A large amount of general business was conducted, and two new members were duly initiated. During the evening Bro. Chaplin, D.P., reported on the results of th a conference at Marton, at which he had attended as lodge delegate, and explained the most vital of the alterations which had been made concerning the Order At the conclusion he was accorded a hearty vote of thankß for the manner in which he had guarded the interests of tha Pride of Te Kuiti Lodge. Bro. Mcßae read a paper on "Ancient Druidism," which he had prepared, and was attentively listened to by trie brethren. A vote of thanks was placed on the minutes of the lodge at the conclusion of the address, and the hope expressed that many more papers of a similar interesting nature would be read at future meetings. The lodge then closed, and an adjournment wa a made to the ante-room where light refreshments were provided and enjoyed by the brethren.