CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL EXHIBITION.

North Otago Times, Volume II, Issue 41, 1 December 1864, Page 1 (Supplement)

CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL EXHIBITION.

(From the Canterbury Standard, ) In chronicling the events of an agricultural show, we commence with the weather as naturally as a duck takes to water. On Wednesday, 16th prox., from early morn to dewy eve, it was all that the most captious could desire it to be. There was sufficient sunshine to make it pleasant without being oppressive; a gentle cool breeze from the north-east imparted sufficient vigor to animals and men, und prevented that listlessness and languor nhich our hot days usually induce. Not a drop of rain the livelong day to interfere in any way with the arrangements or to spoil the enjoyment of those on pleasure bent. "When we have said this, however, we have said nearly all that our conscience will allow in praise of the third exhibition of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association. With the one exception of horseflesh, which was splendidly represented in every department—from the magnificent looking thoroughbred down to Barnard's pocketful of a pony, the now illustrious and renowned Tom Thumb—there was a sad, sad falling off. Before proceeding to remark on the various classes of animals/Svc may mention that the attendance of visitors, as shown by the receipts at the gate, was far greater than last year. The amount received was £177, as against £70 last year. In Merino sheep the entries were not numerous, which may be accounted for by the fact that the Show was a month later than last year, and also that scab has unhappily broken out in many parts of the Province. For the future the Judges request that the time of shearing the last fleece shall be stated with each lot. In sheep best adapted for grazing on cultivated grasses, there were fewer entries than the former class, although, if we except the .ethers, all were remarkably good. The following protest was recorded by Mr Washbourne in reference to the prize awarded to Mr Innes for short-woolled ewes *. —" I protest against Mr Innes taking a prize in Class 1 for short woolled sheep, Mr Innes's sheep being imported—it being distinctly stated that all «heep in this class shall be New Zealand bred, unless otherwise specified," The show of Cattle, with the exception of a few really first-rate animals, was deficient in every respect—deficient in point of numbers, and in the quality of the stock shown. A few of the bulls were worth looking at, and would bave attracted attention in some gf the show yaids at home. The cows, if we txcept Mr Caver hill's " Miss Harrison," and one or two of the Riccarton cows, were a .iry lot. The show of Dairy Produce wa. wretched as compared to last year, and slioavs a sad filling off—not so much in the quality as in the interest taken in the competition. The Judges remarked that the butter was of excellent quality, though very few entries, but iheie whs no cheese at all. Some flour exhibited by Mr Lane was pronounced by tbe Judges to be tbe fiuest that ever came under their notice. In Implements there was a good show— shout thirty entries. There were a couple of animals on the rround, shown by an enterprising townsman, _i Prince, which afforded a great deal of 'iijoyment to all classes of visitors. We refer to tbe foxes recently imported in the William Miles. Those who, in days gone by -.ne known Reynard in hi. native land, were dud to renew their acquaintance with him, ■.though doubtless they would have prewired to see him in front of a pack of hounds. To the young, ters Mr Prince's interesting .-uses were a day's wonder. They looked md looked till they were jostled away by an a»er crowd behind and on each side, and hey returned again and again. The Dinner. —The dinner took place in lie old Town Hall at a little past 7 o'clock. Hip. c were about seventy guests present, and be chair was taken by his Honor the Super•itcndent, in tbe absence of the President, .r Wilkin. Mr W. Wilson ably discharged he duties which devolve on the Secretary, >li Thomson having, like the President, gone o Auckland to attend to his duties as Repre--tative. Tbe vice-chair was filled by Mr V>rhouse. The usual loyal and other toasts r eic proposed and responded to, and the vening passed off most agreeably. A piano va<- deposited at one end of the room by Mr .older in the early part of the evening, but Ibis was the only indication of music there **as, if we except sorr.e excellent songs by one rtwo of the gentlemen present. The dinner fas supplied by Mr Blake, of the Al Hotel.