AUTUMN SHOW.

Patea Mail, 21 April 1881, Page 3

AUTUMN SHOW.

The first autumn show in connection with the Patea District Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held on Tuesday at Patea, in the large rooms of Mr Barker, auctioneer. Roots, vegetables, and fruits were the chief products shown, the season being some weeks late for most fruits and flowers. The entries in all classes were 114, and the show as a whole exceeded the general expectation, especially in the high quality of roots.

The space available for tables and gangways proved too small, the passages being blocked with visitors nearly all afternoon. Of course the band was an extra attraction, and induced people to linger for another and yet another tunc. A much larger area will be needed for the next autumn display, which may be expected to be on a scale more proportioned to the extent and agricultural richness of the district. This first show has served to stimulate a proper spirit of emulation among growers and cultivators; so that many who made no effort to contribute to this show will be shaping plans for competing next autumn. The best samples shown on this occasion will also be useful as evidence to the eye of what the district can do at present, and as new starting points for future intelligent cultivation. Root crops were the most conspicuous class of district produce, particularly potatoes and turnips, also pumpkins and melons. Two or three visitors from Canterbury expressed surprise at the size of potatoes, one sample being like a sucking pig. One lot had averaged 25 tons to the acre. The largest melon shown weighed 561bs. Two good samples of linseed were shown by Mr H. Risely and Mr Horner, this being a crop which is supposed to be specially suitable for the district, and adapted to ■various commercial uses. Four samples of spring wheat were shown, two being pronounced remarkably good. The oats were poor, a fault which seems to have been general on the Coast this year, although this crop has been notably suitable to the district. Hops are hardly known hero, but one good sample was shown by Mr T. Taylor, grown at Woodville. Carrots and parsnips were of fair size. Apples made a good display, and included some excellent samples. An error was made by judges in classing russet apples among the bakers, instead of ranking them among best eating apples. Mr Rius (Spaniard) did not get justice in this matter, his russets being passed over as interior because less in size than some cooking apples with which they were jumbled. Two bunches of large and very early celery were shown from the Spaniard’s garden. Fiowrcs were not much of a display. Cultivation of pot plants has made little progress here, the settlement being hardly old enough for such refinements to have become general. Flowers grown in the open may be cultivated for autumn shows with great success in such a climate, supposing the show to be held early in March. Cut flowers were entered moderately well, and two of the larger bouquets were highly creditable, especially that of Mr 11. Williamson, whose parterres fronting his house are a credit to the district. Mrs Wray’s chrysanthemums were a treat. Dahlias were singularly small, though good in form and color.

The collection of native ferns seemed to have had no cultivation in the pots, but were pleasing varieties. An African box-thorn, with large red berries, shown fay Mr H. Williamson would make a splendid hedge or mass for relieving a shrubbery. A very large but irregular coxcomb and a bough of cotton plant were among the notable exhibits. Mrs Wray sustained her local repute for jams and preserves.

The judges were as follow:—Fruit and flowers, Messrs J. Paterson and J. W. Dickie. Grain and agricultural seeds, Mr Coutts. Vegetables and roots, Messrs J. Nicholson and R. B. Hamilton. Salt butter, Messrs P. Mahonj and O. Hawes. The number of entries in each class appear to be as follow:—Turnips 7 entries, onions 3, cabbages 2, potatoes 13, celery 1, carrots 0, mangolds 6, melons 0, pumpkins 5, parsnips 1, red beet 1, vegetable marrow 1, linseed 2, wheat 4, oats 2, hops 1, cocksfoot 2, collection of seeds (Mr Barker) 1, pears 3, apples 15, poaches 2, grapes 2, quinces 2, preserved fruit and jams 1, pot plant 1, fern collection 1, large bouquets 4, hand bouquet 1, cut flowers 6, chrysanthemums 1, dahlias 1, butter 3. Nearly 150 persons attended the show between 3 and 8 o’clock, the amount taken being £7 8s 6d. The entrance fees realised £5 3s. Mr Barker gave the use of his largo premises free, and was also among the energetic workers who prepared the rooms and tried to ensure a success. The names of Mr F. M. Chapman, president, Mr Eyton, secretary, and Mr J. Riseley should be placed on record for the labor and worry they undertook in connection with this successful event. Some other members of committee also gave help occasionally.

PRIZES. VEGETABLES AND ROOTS. Pm Melons, Ist J. Rius, 2nd Prouso. Rock Melpns, commended Prouse. Pumpkins, Ist J. G. Buckthought. Potatoes, garden, Ist J. Hurley. Field Potatoes, Ist and 2nd J. G. Buckthought. Vegetable Marrow, Ist, W. Ginger. Mangolds, Globe, Ist J. and H. Williamson. Long red, Ist J. Dickie. Carrots, red, Ist De Banks. Turnips, White Tankard, Ist O. Hawes. Onions, Ist Prouse. Cabbage, pickling, Ist De Banks. Cabbage, Ist De Banks. Red Beet, Ist De Banks. FRUITS. Grapes, Ist Ginger Bros. Peaches, Ist J. Nicholson. Pears, Ist J. Rius, 2nd J. Paterson, Quinces, Ist J. Williamson. Apples, eating, Ist VV. Gower, also Mr Tennent’s special prize, 2nd J. Rius. Dessert, Ist Ginger Bros. FLOWERS, &c. Bouquets, table, Ist H. Williamson, also Mr Christie’s special prize, 2nd Miss E. Whelan. Hand bouquet, Ist J. Riseley. Dahlias, Ist Mrs Wray Chrysanthemums, Ist Mrs Wray. Cut Flowers, Ist Mrs A. J. Hunter, 2nd Mrs Wray. Ferns, native collection, Mr J. Riseley. Preserved Fruits and Jellies, highly commended Mrs Wray. GRAIN, &c. Wheat, Ist 11. Riseley, 2nd W. Derrett. Oats, Ist W. Derrett. Hops, Ist T. Taylor, Woodville. BUTTER. Salt Butter in kegs, Ist F. M. Chapman, 2nd J. Hurley, 3rd J. Sheehan. Protest lodged against Ist prize-taker, his butter being in jar. SEEDS. Garden Seeds, 6 sort«, Ist J. Rius. Cocksfoot, Ist C. F. Barker. THE BALL was hold in the evening, in the large upper room, which had been decorated with immense nikan palms and native ferns, the floor being smooth and waxed, making a pleasing and very spacious room for dancing. About 65 dancers kept up this social recreation till past midnight. The financial result shows that the price of tickets—members ss, ladies free—had been fixed too low. The ball itself was otherwise an enjoyable success. Mr W. Wilson, vice-president, was M.C., and members of committee were stewards.