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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 821, 29 November 1878, Page 2

The shows are now over ; at least, the important ones are, for the Taieri show will only be a repetition of that held at Dunedin. At such a moment as this, we may profitably engage in comparison. Our object is not solely to exalt the Oamaru district in instituting a comparison between the several shows that have lately been held, although the result would perhaps lead some to suppose that such is our object. We, however, confess to a feeling of pride at the position that Oamaru occupies in the agricultural and rmstoral world, and the position in which—young though she is—her exhibits occupy wherever they are to be found. But there is another and higher object to be gained by taking a retrospect of the late most important shows of the Colony, cursory though it may be. Such a review cannot fail to prove profitable to all interested, oven if the only result should be their better acquaintance with the prize-takers. To begin with Timarn : We find that there Oamaru came boldly to the front. Messrs. Fleming and Hedley carried off the cup, and Renfrew Jock the champion entire prize in draught horses. The firstmentioned firm also secured the cattle cup ; the Hon. Robert Campbell, the merino cup; and Mr. E. Menlove, the Lincoln cup. At Christchurch, Oamaru exhibitors were not less successful. Young Banker was first for entires cf any age and the winner of the champion cup. In the class two-year-old fillies, the Hon. M. Holmes became the possessor of the red ticket, and carried away the Lincoln cup with ease. Canterbury was nowhere in Lincolns, for the second and third prizes fell to Messrs. Sctton and Menlove. Nor were they more fortunate in merinos, in which class the Hon. R. Campbell was champion. Then Mr. P. Russell'.s Hastings, an animal from Timaru, took the prize as champion bull of the yard, while Mr. R. C Tiirelkeld's Commander-in-Chief came second. The last-mentioned animal was placed in a similar position in Oamaru, being beaten by a yearling, and it is possible that, had Hastings been exhibited here lie would have come in for second honors. In three-year old fillies, a Timaru filly was first, Mr. Boar coming second with the best animal that Canterbury could produce, which became the property of Mr. Menlove at Mr. Boag's sale for the sum of L2lO. Much was expected of this filly, but when it was shown at Oamaru, the judges did not even turn her in the- rim', and deemed her unworthy even of commendation. This; was the only animal in draught stock that Christchurch exhibitou. New for a glance at the Dunedin Show : Looking at the prize-list we think that Oamaru need not be ashamed of her exhibits there. Again the Hon. R. Campbell is the champion for merino sheep. The brood mare that took the third prize at the Oamaru Show took the first in Dunedin. Wc may as well mention here that this mare's name is Countess, and not Heather Bell as described in the Daily Times, and that that paper unjustly reflected upon the conduct of the judges of the Oamaru Show by stating that they did not accord her a proper place, and that she should have been first. This is a glaring error of judgment on the part of the Times so evident that it will not be necessary to say much about it. We only remark that the Hon. M. Holmes' mare Bon Lomond is at least ten prizes ahead of the mare Countess, and Ben Lomond was placed only second at tho Oamaru Show, Mr. Men love's Heather Bell beiusi first. Had Heather Bell gone to Dunedin. wc question whether tho marc Blossom would have come out with such Hying colors as the champion mare of the yard. It will bo seen that Mr. Menlove was also first with his magnificent gelding Duke, and third with iiis throe-year old filly—the same position that she occupied at Oamaru. It (will thus be seen that anything that was first at Oamaru was more than a match for anything in Dunedin. And, again, we find that magnificent horse Renfrew Jock, champion entire on the ground, beating Chant's Young Clyde, recently imported from Scotland, and a first prize-taker there. Turning to cattle, we find Mr. Menlove's second prize bull at Oamaru first in Dunedin. Oamaru Ayrshires, that class about which Southern men raved so much at the Oamaru Siiow, were well to the front in Dunedin. A great deal was said about placing Miss Meek first in Oamaru in her class, and the champion animal of the yard, and pretended judges even asserted that the judges ought to be well ashamed of themselves for such a decision. But what will they say now that the judges at the Dunedin Show jjlaced her in precisely the same pssition, Mr. P. Orr being first for the best cow in calf, best cow in milk, and the champion animal in the yard.