THE FRANKLIN SHOW.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 17, 2 March 1915, Page 2

THE FRANKLIN SHOW.

An Unqualified Success.

(For Prize List, See Pages 1 and 4.)

The Franklin A. and P. Society's Show, which was opened on Friday last as reported in our issue of that day, was continued on Saturday, when as on the previous day the genial atmospheric conditions were all that could be desired. From far and near, by means of ordinary and special trains, in horse-drawn conveyances or by motor car, came cmwds -of holiday-makers, either to visit the fcfcow as idle spectators or. ths ring events, or aa interested observers of the exhibits. Whjie nous-holds, ranging from the aged veteran to the infant that has recently started on life's threshold, both Pakehas and Maoris, disported themselves on the ground, and picnic parties, Eupplied with hot water free of charge by the Society, were the order of the dav. The numerous aide shows did msrry businEss, and the pleasure-loving section of the public were in that way amply catered for. The sloping nature of the ground afforded a good view for everyone of the various competitions in progress, and it was a particularly gay scene that met the eye when viewed from the centre ot the ring. Probably twelve months hence the Society will be established in its new possession adjoining the railway station, but the old ground with its many pleasant reminiscences will be vacated with ni little regret. However, with the exigencies of time and the rise to fame of the Pukekohe Show the present headquarters do not provide sufficient cope for the Society to do itself justice, so a move is to be made to new surroundings where an arena of much larger dimensions than the existing ring will be procurable for competition purposes. Saturday's proceedings passed off without a mar and the p'og'amme of events was carri d through smartly and efficiently. One nr two falls in the jumping ron"s's were recorded, but t-e spills beyond giving the riders a shading had no other ill effects. The Executive's arrangements were again most thorough, and the voluntary help 60 readily given by those who undertook the duties of stewards speaks well for the loyalty displayed by the workers concerned towards the Society. That the Show of 1915 wai in every way such a marked and unqualified success was in a very great Tieasure ■due to tne laborious efforts of the President (Mr D. R. Hamilton), whose activity was exceedingly commendable. Mr James Wylie, the ex-President, was also indefatigable in assisting in every possible way, ana Mr J. M. Baxter on his part once more prove 1 an ideal secretary. The attendance on Saturday probably totalled about 7000 or 8000, holdeiß of members' privileges being present in good force.

2 The gate receipts were:. First Da £l7 9a 6d t Second Day £226 6?, total £243 15s 6d, being slightly in excess of last year's figures, viz. First Day £l6 13s, Second Day £225 17s, total, £242 109. Ihe 1913 Show with gat? receipts of £246 8s (First Day £l6 3s 6d, Second Day £230 4s 6d) therefore still holds the financial record £for the"] "gate"' although with increased membership and entrance fees th 3 actual Show receipts for the present year will be be the best in the Society's history. The Pukekohe Band discoursed a capital programme of music during the afternoon.

Railway arrangements both for passengers and stock were complete in every detail, and Mr Fred Brown (the Pukekohe stationmaster) and his staff are to be complimented on the smartness which characterised tbeir discharge of duties. HORSES. The horse sections as usual provided perhaps the greatest feature of the Show, and the standard of exhibits was well representative of Waikato's iama for horse flesh of sterling quality. Light harness horses provided an array that is rarely seen on any ground, and in the competitions some excellent jumping was witnessed, Mr Frank Vosper's Dx-tor gaining the award as the best hunter in the Show.

In regard to the events for hunters up to 11 stone and 14 stone respectively the judge, Mr L. Nelson, mentioned that the classes might with advantage be extended so that instead of horses carrying over 11 stone, all competing in or.e section, an additional class should appear on the programme for horses 11 stone to 12 stone ant another for horses 13 stone to 15 stone. Draught burses were said by the judge (Mr W. Newell) to be superior to anything that had ever come before him at any Shuw in the North Island, both the old and the 'modern types having very worthy representatives. For condition, constitution and soundness the animals on which he had adjudicated, remarked Mr Newell, would do credit anywhere in the Dominion. CATTLE In a locality where dairying and farm interests are of such importance by reason of the high quality of district lands it would indeed be a reproach if the cattle section «?as not a worthy reflex by presenting exceptionally choice exhibits. All past records in this connection were beaten hollow. Not only in regard tu numbers was this year's show I better than in previous years, but I the quality was also far superior. The most notable advance wad in the pedigree Holstein section, which was probably on account of the increased interest taken in this breed by district fanciers of late; but progress was also a prominent feature in other sections. HOLSTEINS. In the Hulsteins the cattle penned were probably the strongest collection yet seen oo any showground in the North. In expressing this opinion, the judge, Mr W. J. Lovelock, referred to the fact that a gold medal was on olfer as a point* prize by the Holstein Cattle Breeders' Association to any Society where the entries were 40 or upwards, and Pukekohe Show bad easily gained distinction by an entry of nearly CO, despite the fact that neither at Auckland or Hamilton wis the condition of a minimum of 40 entries fulfilled. The Breeders' Association medal and also the male championship was won by Mr C. C. Buckland's (Cambridge) Rex de Kol of Sunnycroft, a winner of nine

previous championships. Mr Lovelock remarked on the animal's exertional merit and mentkned that as he (Mr Lovelock) owned the champion Holstem bull of the South Inland it would be interesting to see how the two would fare if at a future date they were rival competitors in —' any ring.

Am:ng younger male animala there were some of exceptional promise, and these will doubtless be heard of on future occasions both at Pukekohe and elsewhere. In the cow and heifer classes there was also splendid quality in evidence. Tha winners conformed well to type and had impressive appearance. Prominent show ring breeders were well represented, and competition was of a keen order. It was also a eource of gratification to fanciers ot tfch breed to find that the championship if the dairy cow class was won by a Holstein, namely, Mr J. H. Hansch's Hopeful of Brundel, which was also the winner of the female Holstein championship.

JEKSEYS

The district's high reputation fur Jersey stock was will maintained. There were some exceedingly nice animals shown, with all the true characteristics of the breed. According to the judge, Mr C. G. Dermer, there were a lot of good animaia and a few poor one". Taking the classes right through the qualitv was decid dly good. He considered the champion bull was specially good and would be hard to * beat; and the winning aged cow was also regarded as a good one. For individual types he thought some of the anima's shown quite equal to those at Palmerston North shows, but they were not equal in numbers of such types. SHORTHORNS. The Shorthorns penned were of remarkably good strain, but there wass not a great deal of competition. Mr W. Taylor's champion bull added further to his long list of successive wins, and was regarded by the judge (Mr McMaster) aa probably one of the best Shorthorns in Australasia. AYRSHIRES. The classes devoted to Ayrshires had gr.od support, and Waiuku district breeders were well to the front in securing prizes, lhere were some neat and characteristic animals of the breed on view, the section being worthily represented. The crmmDiun cow, owned by Mr W. K. Lawton, is of very pronounce! quality. OTHER CATTLE.

In Polled Angus, Mr G. P. Willis met with no competition and scooped the pool io prizes, his animals being of a meritorious appearance.

Stock on the whole were in impressive condition, and gave no indication whatever of the dry season that has been generally ex-

perienced. The grade cattle shown were mostly splendid representatives of thsir class and included very valuable animals. In some instances the grades have all the apparent characteristic) of the pedigree animal, and probably occasionally supply even better producing records. Grade classes were well filled, competition was keen, and the quality throughout of undoubted merit. SIIEEP. The sheep were not numerically strong, but made up in quality for lack of numbeis. The judge, Mr John Mc'Masters, described the section as containing some very fine sheep. He particularly instanced the first prize winners and champions in Lincolns clas?es showing great constitution, well covered, with lustre and quality cf wooi very prominent. The Waiuku breeder, Mr C. T. Barriball, took the honours in this section. Another Waiuku breeder in Mr Eber Barriball was equally successful in Shropshire Downs, the quality again being par excellence. Some nice looking Southdowus were penned by the Agricultural Department, whilst the Romney Marsh breed shown by Mr S. Standen and Mr C. C. Buckland were also animals of good type. The fat sheep were not of particular note, although competition was fairly good. PIGS. Mr Waiters, judge of the pigs . section, was more than surprised with the quality ot the pigs exhibited, particularly in the Yorkshire section, and considered Mr Gribble's Yorkshire sow the best sow of that breed that had come unr'et his notice. The pigs as a whole would make good killers, and the percentage of waste would be practically nil. FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCE.

This section can well be described in the words of the judge, Mr W. Runciman, as a very good display taken all round, and very good quality considering the dry season experienced. The onions and potatoes shown were of outstanding excellence, and theae classes gave the judece most trouble in framing his awards. Other root varieties such as turnips, mangolds, carrots, etc., were of phow class, and without a doubt demonstrated the growing capabilities of our district farm lands. Some splendid samples of maize, both cob ai.d for feed, were exhibited; whilst lucerne hay was another really good exhibit. The Rama Kama display in connection with the district bay competition was of great merit and much admired. Tr.c julge spoke very highly of the manner in wMch the exhibit had been prepared,- the careful staging of same, and the fact that everything was in capital j order. A collection of farm produce I shown by Mr C. H. Parker was a reliabe indication of what can be j done ou our district farm? by a little I utitbusiasm, the exhibit being of | wide range and high quality. RUAKURA EXPERIMENTAL FARM. Of great educative value to farmers, fruitgrowers and gardeners was the exhibit staged hy the Ruakun Experimental Farm 10 a marquee near the main entrance gate. A It cely show o( fruit, also field and garden produce, attracted a good deal of attention and met with many encomiums. The of this display, however, on the part of the Agricultural Department was not merely to show what can be grown at the experimental station, but to encourage growers to produce similar results. SampleH of fruit, folisge and plants attacked by various blights and insect cents were on view, and the method of combatting same fully set on. The Department not only setafc high

standard of success in garden a'id orchard work for ethers to emulate, but endeavours ta impart the kto*Udge as to how this can bs done. Enthusiast tcok ful! advantage of the opportunity thus afforded. *f HOME INDUSTRIES. A constant stream cf people passed iu and out of the Masonic Hall, where the Home Industries exhibits were staged, and rauih favourable comment was heard on ever? hand as to the magnificent collection of exhibits on view. Art and plain needlework cf prttty and serviceable designs wete a lading feature, the classes being strong ard the quality decidedly good. The judge had a task ci great difficulty in awarding prizes, owirg to the high-clasa work in cempetition and the evenness cf the standard cf exhibits. Another strong section in the home industries division was the cookery. This proved' a keeclyappetising display, and was undoubtedly of outstanding excellence There was a larger entry than at last show, and quality was very manifest. The iced cakes, fruit cakes and home-made bread were of a beautiful order and could only be the result of great care and skill. It was no light task for the judge to select prize-winners from the splendid exhibits in competition. In the open competition of bread Mr S. Smith-.Pukekohe) had the dlslinc- / tion of gaining first honours. The bottled fruit section provided another demonstration of culinary art and scrupulous care. Summed up in the words of the judge, some of these jams were something wonderful. Fairly strong classes were the order, and the appearance of the exhibits were convincing to a degree as to their merit. THE FLOWER SECTION.

The flower section, also accommodated in the Masonic Hall, made an attractive picture. Some classes produced keen competition, but others, probably owing to weather conditions, did not excite much interest. There were some really excellent blooms, however, on view, and quality was a prominent phase of the varieties in which lovers ox horticulture delight to excel. The section evoked much appreciation from the large crowds of visitors who thronged the hall, PRIZE LIST. ! A complete prize list appears on pages 1 and 4 of this issue. J