THE RURAL WORLD

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8359, 20 February 1913, Page 2

THE RURAL WORLD

FORTHCOMING A. AND P. SHOWS EARLY FIXTURES FOR 1911 February 26 and 27 —Taranaki A. and PAssociation, at New Plymouth. February 26—Rangitikei A. and P. Association, at T'aihape. March i and 3—Hawke's Bay A. and P. Association, at Hastings. March 6 and 7—Waikato Central A. and P. Association, at Cambridge. MASTERTON SHOW WAIRARAPA’S GREATEST SUCCESS. 15,000 PEOPLE PRESENT. As intimated in yesterday’s report :>f the Masterton show all that vas required to complete the success of the event was favourable weather conditions for the concluding day. In this respect the meteorological conditions turned out to bo of the very best. A bright clear sky and glorious sunshine tempered by the lightest of breezes tempted visitors from all parts to don their summer attire and attend the grounds in their thousands, and it is doubtful whether another such crowd as was to .he seen parading the enclosures during the afternoon has ever been previously gathered together' in the Wairarapa. No matter how fastidious the •varying tastes of the units forming the 15,000 people who were present, there was something or other on the ground to interest and instruct, The stock pens drew their quota of admirers from those specially interested in “fats” and “freezers,” but the great proportion of the crowd was attracted by the ring competitions and the large and assorted array of side shows that were on the ground, at the same time providing many entertaining ways for parting with loose shillings. However much objection may be made in ‘some quarters to the presence of side shows on show grounds and so much attention being paid by the committee to ring competition it is very evident that these are the features that draw the attendance, or at least amuse the people while on the ground, therefore, why should they be limited or discountenanced? After .all, it is the human i r]ament that provides the greatest ati traction to show grounds, which for the i time being are a rendezvous and meeting place for friends and relations from near and far. With its pleasant, situation and natural bush surroundings “Solway” lends itself, particularly well for picnic parties, and not a few hundreds at Yesterday's gathering were to be seen lunching in the pleasant shade of the totaraa and pines, or enjoying a noonday refresher. Since its inception twenty-six years ago the Masterton A, and P. Association has had a varied career, and for nearly twenty years the promoters were up against adverse circumstances. , In late years, however,'with the increasing wealth of the district and its natural development, the association, has rapidly gained ground, and is now fairlv established in an era of success. Ever since that vigorous movement was instituted for obtaining the beautiful Solway grounds,, steady and solid progress has been made, until to-day the Masterton show fixture stands second to none as an all-round exhibition of pastoral and agricultural produce. The successful conduct of a big show like that held at Solway requires an enormous amount of organisation and tactful management, and in Mr Emmett, the secretary, the association has been extremely fortunate in securing an ideal officer for the work, as was proved by the perfect arrangements for yesterday’s gathering. The general committee and stewards also proved their worth' by the complete manner in which they performed their several tasks. WELLINGTON MEAT EXPORT CO. Prominent in the industrial exhibits to be "Seen on the! ground is the selfcontained and complete display made ’by the Wellington Meat Export Company, Ltd, Here the visitor finds a and instructive collection of wools, Mdes, tallows, oils, pelts, preserved meats, and, in fact, the whole of the by-products connected with the frozen meat industry. , The exhibit is attractively arranged in a large marquee located in a central position on the ground, which every producer should make it his business to visit, because he is directly concerned in one or other of its features, and may learn something to his advantage. Sheepskins arc. shown in every stage of manufacture, from the rough pelt to the highly-finished basil, imitation chamois, alligator skin, and other fancy leathers that are so widely used in manufacture. To so high a degree of perfection has the tanner’s art. been displayed in the product under notice that none but an expert could tell the substitute from the real article. Practically every grade of wool grown in New Zealand is shown in all stages of preparation, from the unscoured article to the finished product ready tor the weaver’s loom. Tho wool is so classed" that the fanner can see at a glance which class his own should be in. In addition, there is a collection of wool from all parts of the world, which enables comparisons to be made. This miniature exhibition of by-products is of such a comprehensive nature as to strikingly demonstrate at a glance what the freezing industry has done and is doing for the farmers of New Zealand. This is the more pronounced when it is remembered that a few years ago tho only asset which sheepowners obtained from their surplus stock was a few shillings for the skin and tallow. The exhibit is under tho charge of Mr Gandy, and the marquee was thronged with interested spectators, to whom tho collection as a whole was quite a revelation. AWARDS. Following are the remaining awards in the uncompleted sections judged on the opening day: Championships. Draught Stallion. —J. W. Harding’s Baron Bentall, by Baron Graceful — Lady Kate. Draught Mare. —E. Short’s Lassie Logan, by Royal Derby—Maggie. District Draught Stallion.—J. H. Tathara’s Baron Wolseley, by Baron Graceful—Pride’s Darling. Draught Gelding.—Ratclifie’s Major. Champion Hack. —E. Short’s Scout. SPECIAL PRIZE WINNERS. The special prizes were won as follows: Lawes’ Cup, for best Lincoln ram under 21 months, Wi Perry (Penrose); Brancepeth Cup, for the best pen of four Romney rams under 21 months, W. Perry; Perry silver salver, for the best Romney ram under 31 months, A. and J. Gray (Masterton) ; Johnston Bose Bowl, for the best

Homncv ram lamb, G. E. Allen (Masterton); J. Stuckey’s prize of £lO (to bo won three times) lor best Southdown ram under 21 months, A. . Stone-Wigg (Masterton); Strang Silver Cup, for champion Southdown ram, A. J. Moore Rose Bowl, lor most points in the fat cuttle, G. I? ■ Moore (Kai Iwi). THE HORSES. Hacks, harness horses, and ponies at Masterton have always been a strong tentur© of tiie show \ indeed, it-■ safely be said that no other section has been more consistently supported by exhibitors from all parts of the three provinces. In point of quality the aristocrats of present-day show rings would be difficult to equal in any show in any country. Whatever may happen by and bye through power-driven conveyances entering the domain formerly monopolised by the horse, it is \ery evident that breeders have not yet permitted motor-cars and the like to deter them from producing animals of tho very highest order. ■ , Tho thoroughbreds at yesterday s show were the weakest classes, but this is not unusual at agricultural shows. F. J. Garment’s Sir Frisco, by San Francisco—Waitemata, was the only stallion in his class, and J. Ruska s Agasemis, by Electioneer —Miss Tracy, the only trotting stallion. In pony stallions, over 13 hands, h. Liddington’s Young ICalipha, by Kalipha—Administrator mare, met with no opposition, while in the class for stallions under 13 hands, 4- Benge s Victory, by Jackson —Roller, was the best of three entries. The others were F. Whitt’s King Billy and J. Abbot’s Lord Roberts. HARNESS PONIES. The best pair over 13 hands were Miss May McLaren’s Starlight and Twinkle, and those in the class for ponies under 13 hands, D. Hogan’s Pedlar and Katipo. Of eight single harness ponies under 14.2, W. McGovern’s Sandfly was placed before tho entries of W. H. Whittaker and V. J. Ashton. The 12.2 pony class was won by Mrs I. Allen junr.’s Mustard, and the class below 12.2 by Mrs IV. H. Denby’s Muru. Mrs G. H. Perry s Tom Thumb was tho pick of five ponies under 13.2. . Tho best single horse turn-out driven by a lady went to that consistent prizewinner Zanzibar, owned by Cliff, of New Plymouth. The best pair of harness horses were N. W. Grove’s Bess and Firefly, and the best single buggy horse K. M. Baird’s Barry. Of the dozen gig horses presented, F. W. McLaren’s Blue Moon beat Zanzibar for places, and W.-W. Bicknell’s Aladdin was the best single harness horse. THE HACKS. Twenty-seven hacks were presented in the 11-stone class, and the judge’s final selection placed B. M. Myers’s Bowler first, with W. D. Wlatson’s Ilongonui, and K. M. Baird’s Barry, second and third. E. Short’s Diniznlu, and C. McLaren’s Vendetta were the best of the 13st hacks; and H. Hassell’s Mickey Free and Short’s Scout the prizerwmners in the 15st class. McLaren’s Vendetta was chosen as the best troop horse, with G. Hood’s Country Girl second. E. Short won again in the ladies’ hacks with Bonnie, who beat McKenzie Bros.” Lady Lock for places. In a large entry of ridden ladies’ hacks W. D. Watson’s entry won from J. R. McDonald’s Aotea. In the remaining draught horse classes E, Short’s aristocratic entries won the majority of the first and second awards; other first prize-winners were F. E. J. Ratcliffe (two), Wellington Farmers’ Meat Company, and J. Hunter (one win each). AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE. (Grown by Exhibitor.) One bushel oats, white long, E. Harper 1, W. C. Miller 2; one bushel oats, black, W. C. Miller 1; one bushel oats, grey, W. C. Miller 1, J. Judd junr. 2; one bushel oats, Algerian, E. Harper 1, W. C. Miller 2; one bushel oats, any other variety (named), E. Harper (Ligowo) 1, E. Harper (Victory) 2; one bushel wheat, spring, E. Harper 1, W. C. Miller 2, H Evans 3; one bushel barley, W. Perry 1, W. C. Miller 2; one bushel peas, Partridge, E. Harper 1. H. H. Scharnweber 2; one bushel peas, Yorkshire Hero, W. C. Miller I,'Rzoska Bros. 2; one bushel peas. White Ivory, W. O. Miller 1, H. Evans 2, E. Harper 3; one bushel peas, any other variety, W. C. Miller (Daisy) 1; one bushel rye corn, W. C. Miller 1; one bushel rye grass, H. Evans 1, H. Evans junr. 2, W. C. Miller 3; one bushel cocksfoot, E. Harper 1, H. Evans junr. 2, H. Evgns 3; 101 b cowgrass, E. Harper 1, W. C. Miller and Wilton Bros. 2; 301 b potatoes, Early Rose, J. E. Kjestrup 1; 301 b potatoes, Up-to-Date, J. E. Kjestrup 1, J. Judd junr. 2. MACHINERY AND INDUSTRIAL' EXHIBITS, j Various trade exhibits occupying considerable space give a general idea of all that is new in agricultural machinery, and notwithstanding the fact that many of the larger firms adhere to their decision to stand aloof from agricultural shows, there was a good display of homestead contrivances that are particularly useful whore intensive fanning is becoming more a feature of management every year. COMPETITIONS. Leaping competition—E. Short’s Scout 1, E. Short’s Diniznlu 2, R. Morrison’s Grey Dawn 3. Champion jump—J. Mac Niven’s Pickpocket 1, H. Hassall’s Mickey Free 2, E. Williams’s Wild Eire 3. Consolation jump—E. Williams’s Wild Fire 1, J. McDonald’s Betrayer 2, H. Hassall’s Mickey Free 3.