THE M.H.R AND THE PAINTED PIGS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 20 November 1880, Page 2

THE M.H.R AND THE PAINTED PIGS.

The following appears in the Auckland Star's report of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association's Show : Considerable sensation was caused by the discovery of artificial color on tho hack of Bertie Saverna, and Mr. A. E. Isaacs lodged a protest against Mr. Hurst's pig receiving a prize. On rabbins' the pig's back with a pocket-handkerchief, a considerable quantity of coloring matter came off. The judge, stewards, and tho general public assembled round the pig. Mr. Hurst was asked if coloring had been used, and he said that a littla lamp black and oil had been used just to make the hair glossy but that no white spots had been, or ooulcl bo concealed thereby. The merits of tho case were widely discussed, and there is no doubt that the pig excited more attention during yesterday afternoon than did the champion horse musket. The employment of any artificial means to improve the appearance of exhibits was universally condemned. The result was, that though the judges did not unanimously approve of disqualifying Bertio Saverna, the stewards were of a different opinion, and he was disqualified accordingly. To-day Mr. Hurst sent the following communication to the officers connected with the swine department:— " To the Stewards and Judges of Swino Class at the Agricultural and Pastoral Show : Gentlemen, —Insinuations having been made that coloring matter has been used in the dressing of my pigs, for tho purpose of influencing your deoisions in respeot to them, I have the honor to stale that I have given directions, with your permission, to have the pigs washed ; and I would feel grateful if you would kindly review your decisions, and alter :>ll ornnyof them should the circumstances appear to warrant you. Permit mo in assure you that I very much regret that any dressing was used by my men. bur, certainly not with any intention of deception, as no am more than myself would lament obtaining prizes that the merits of the animals themselves did not honestly entitle them to.— Your obedient servant, W. J. Huhst. The Committee considered tho letter to-day and decided that no alteration would be made in the disqualification. The exhibitor of the painted pigs Ims the honor of being one of the quartette euphemistically termed (< A uckland Huts." We need scarcely say that ho is also ono of the most unqualified supporters of the Government.