FEILDING A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8734, 7 February 1907, Page 2

FEILDING A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Second Day. Another disappointfflcfni awaited the' abovo Association for their second days show. A steady rain set in early in tho morning, and continued almost incessantly up till noon. Such gloomy prospects naturally interfered with tho attendance and there was a considerable reduction of tho usual crowd of country people. This deficiency was somewhat counteracted by' tho Feilding people, who turned up in strong force. Tho morning special train, from Palmerston also landed a good contingent in tho town. Owing to the rain, a speedy tour round the exhibits sufficed, and tho great majority of tho public remained under cover for the greater part of tho day to watch tho competitions. Which in themselves provided a really good day’s amusement.- Altogether the show hits bos'i'f very successful, especially when taken from an instructive point o£ view. It is a pity that tho efforts of suchan enterprising society were marred by such imshow-liko weather, tho most disappointing part being that it cleared when it was too lato for any more visitors to put in an appearance. Mr Daw’s Manchester band was in attendance both days and rendered a very entertaining programme.

THE COMPETITIONS,

Again tho competitions attracted a considerable amount of attention, although at intervals throughout tha dav it was necessary for the public to seek shelter from the rain in the stands.The oval was somewhat soft, which had atendency to interfere with tho jumping, Tho driving was again good,- and Miss A. G. Robinson, cf Awahuri, who was successful in a similar competition on the' first day, again piloted a winner throughtho many twists and turnings in the' competition, Airs F. S. Mcßae was second, and Mrs H. J. Bailey thin! Master Ted Hoult won tho competition for tho best boy rider, Bao Lcott being second, and • Norman Wheeler third. Hedwick Maher was pronounced tho best girl rider, Hylcla Maher second, and Elsie Jackson third. Tho pony jumping competition was exceedingly well contested. J. Campbell’s Bun Tuck coming first, J. Campbell’s Finger Not second, and Miss M. Brigg’s Rawhiti third. The two most interesting events wore tho ladies’ and open hunters’ competitions , In tho ladies W. J. Bartlett’s Utaii waa Ist, Miss M. Briggs’ Rawhiti 2nd, J. Campbell’s Bun Tuck 3rd. Most of tha horses took -..h0 hurdles wejl. Miss Maggie Briggs was awarded the gold modal for the best lady rider and Mr D. Bennett for tha host gentleman rider. Tho wins woi’o most popular as both competitors are well known in' show rings. H, Westland's Fiji woit the open hunters, D. Koake’s Mingon being' second, and D, G. Riddifoid's Cinders third.

Hearty cheers wore given for the winners at the end of the events.-

It is surprising to note tho small number of spills throughout the day when considering the wot state of the ground. THE LUXCHEON. At the invitation of the association, a largo number of guests were invited to participate in an excellent luncheon, included in tho number being several ladies. Mr L. E. Jackson, tho president, proposed the toast of ’• The King,” at the same time referring to the keen interest which his Majesty was taking in advanc-

ing agriculture. In submitting tho toast of “The Judges,’ the President said he was pleased to welcome the ladies at tho luncheon table, for they played an important part in the devel opment of the association. He outlined how the association started in a small vvay, and went to work to make the show one of practical utility. This was the first venture for a two days show, but unfortunately the elements had been against them.. He would like it to be widely known that they had no wish to run against any other show. To the judges they owed a great deal, and they had judges present from tho South Island who had come forward to assist them. Ho was pleased at the good work done by the judges, which, he could say, carried out thoir duties in a most Impartial

manner. Mr MoCroa, of Palmerston North, replying on behalf of the judges, congratulated the Society on the progress which it bad made during the first few years of its show, which he said owed a great deal to the energy of the president, Mr L. E. Jackson, and his energetic committee. As regards the classes which he had been judging, he had nothing but the highest praise. He had seen Jerseys in Australia, and felt sure that these at this show could compare favourably with anything he had seen. The public must never expect that the judges wore perfect, but he would venture to say that they had done their best to perform the duties allotted to them. While dealing with the luncheon it may be opportune to add a word of praise to the caterer, who discharged his obligations carefully and well. THE SECRETART.

Nothing but the highest praise would suffice to express the opinions of tho exhibitors, j> ress representatives, and others interested for the courtesy shown them by the able and energetic secretary Mr E, 11. Fisher. Although taxed with a vast amount of work, ho acquitted himself as a modem secretary should do. At any rata only those who are intimately acquainted with Mr Fisher’s duties could comprehend tho vast amount of timo which he devoted to the interests of tho Association. SCHOOL GARDEN COMPETITION. The school children that had competed in this contest were assembled on the grandstand during the afternoon to receive the prizes, and which the Association had requested Mr J. G. Wilson to present.

Mr L. E. Jackson, president of the Association, in introducing Mr Wilson, said his Association had considered Mr Wilson the most fitting person for the duty because of the great interest ho had taken in the matter and the efforts ho had made to further rural education. The lino of teaching adopted in the schools was practically the same as Mr Wilson had outlined to the Premier. Mr J. G. Wilson said that Mr Jackson, in introducing him, had been altogether too kind in his remarks as to what he had done iu relation to this subject. The Farmers’ Union certainly, by its wide organisation, spread as it was throughout the colony, had been able to give an impetus to the spread of rural education it could not have obtained in other ways. He took it as a great compliment to himself to have been asked to present tho prizes to the school children, for he considered these were the best competitions of the show —(hear, hear) —though ho might perhaps bo speaking like the auctioneer who always praised to the utmost the animal or article he was just in the act of offering. Certainly that moment was most gratifying to him, to sec the manner the cause was progressing, for it had now been taken up by Mr Hogben, Chief Inspector of Schools, by the Education Boards, and especially by tho school masters and school mistresses, who had educated themselves on these rural subjects, and then had taken tho trouble to educate tho children. It was their intention to live in the country and it was only fitting that they should be acquainted with its products. It was very gratifying to him that the school

children were being taught to take an interest in this subject, and bass was sure they would never forget v. hat they had learned in the garden. It was said of John Faulkner, who had lived many years with the Australian blacks, that he had forgotten his own language ; but ho (the speaker) felt quite sure that he had never forgotten that which he had learned with his brain, his eyes and his hands. That was his handicraft as a carpenter, and similarly the

k’ ' children would have fixed in their ft jrie'atories those lessons they had ■. learned in the garden, while those m f lessons received from books would not be so lasting. A groat stimulus * : had recently been given in putting forward this subject here as all educational one by Mr Studholme, who while on a visit to the United States had inquired into the whole system’ of education on this subject and the kindred one of domestic economy. He found two persons who, in his opinion, had a better grasp of the subjects than any others he met with. These were Dr .Robertson, on rural education, and Miss Gilchrist, of Tenncsse, on domestic economy. On his return ho had recommended to tiio Minister for | Education that these two persons n should be sent for to give a report to the Government. lie obtained a ■ resolution from the Senate of the Christchurch University for the constitution of a chair of Domestic Ecomony, and offered to contribute himself £2OO a year tor two years towards the salary of the lady professor. He now thought he could say that Miss Gilchrist would be appointed to the position, when the girls would have an opportunity of the best education on the subjects of cooking, nursing, sanitation, and kindred' subjects, which would bo helpful in the daily life and d«Ur; the women of the country. He was sorry the weather had been unfavorable to the show, but he was sure, as far as the children were concerned, that their part would not he forgotten, and it gain

him great pleasure to present the prizes to those who had been sue eessful. The first prize -was then presented to Mr Galland, teacher of the Uewbury school, on behalf of his scholars, the second prize to Mr Harry, for the Cheltenham school, .and the third prize to 3Lr Innis, for the Taonui school. Mr "Wilson said the Redding A. and P. Association was to be congratulated for giving prizes in the subject, and lie was sure the competition must have had a stimulating effect amongst the children in the study. He called for three cheers from the children for the association, which were heartily given.

A JUDGE’S OPINION. Mr Blackley, from the South, who was judging at the Feilding Show in the course o£ a short interview with our reporter, said he had not expected to see such a fine display of sheep and cattle. The system upon 'which the Society was working was one worthy of every support by the breeders, and if properly earned out must result in good work being accomplished. It was the most effective means of educating farmers in increasing their pure bred stock. Too much praise could not be given to the Association for having established the school competition, a course which was likely to bo adopted f other Associations throughout the my. In fact, he added, seeing t he was a member of the Christchurch A. and P. Show, he would not be working in the interests of his Society if he did not strongly advocate the adoption of similar competition. THE PARADE. Early in the afternoon all the horses in the Show wore paraded in the oval in the presence of a large number of people, and a good opportunity was thus afforded to get an idea of the magnitude of the Show. The first instalment to enter the ring was some 80 horses, followed immediately by about a dozeu vehicles. Then came the draughts, and last of all the heavy carts and horses. After a turn or two round the ring they ware then taken from the field. HORSES. The judge of the saddle horses, in an interview with our reporter, said that his position as judge of these exhibits was by no means an easy one. He had heard of Feilding and the district but had no idea that they could produce such a high class of stock. Naturally he expected to find a few entries come forward in each class, but received an eye-opener when ha was confronted with such a large field. The weight carrying backs were as fine as ho had seen at any Show, and indeed the same remarks might apply to the light weight hacks. The weight carrying coos were a good all-round sturdy class. As for the lady’s hacks, he could not wish for better, and it was only after the most careful scrutinising and a good deal of time that he awarded the prize?.

Weight-carrying hack, marc or gelding: Mrs D G Eiddiford’s Cinders 1, C Green’s Spider 2, W J Young’s Sprig o’ Myrtle 3 Light-weight : A J Hnstie’s Breeze 1, D Campion’s Aquila 2, J Bull’s Baddy 3, F C. Boss’ Hajaa v h e Weight-carrying cob ; D M Edgar’s Tomtit 1, F C Boss’ Banjo 2, A Groom’s Dick Turpin 3

Lady’s hack, over 13 hands: A J Has tie’s Breeze 1, F F Hr.ggitt's Jack 2, Miss SEC Paul’s Moorianooka 3, J F Gleeson’s Scotch Mist v h o

Lady’s hack, lo hands : A *T llastio 3 Dynamite 1, T M Scott’s Admiral 2 Best walking horse : J II Berry’s Coma and S Sorensen’s Banker equal 1, J Lang’s Sprite 3 Ladies’ Horse and Trap: sirs J. Bull I, Mrs 11. Holmes 2, Mrs H. J. Bailey 3. TUB DAIRY COW. Best dairy oovr, any breed or grade, in mily, milk to be weighed and tested, i’nae to be awarded to cow producing the largest quantity of butterhit ; Mrs B A Cobbe, 171 b milk, “US Imtlcrfat, test ml, I A Charles, 221 b milk, -SSO_ battvrlat, test -1-0, 2 J W Scandlyn, 311 b milk, -T7-3 bntterfat, tost 2-5, 3 Weight-guessing Competition, first day. Total I'JSJIb, three sheep; J G Byman, ISWIb, 1; J It Corrigan, llawera, 19011 b, 2; J A Bailey, Ohakea, 2UOlb ; W T Bowater, 2001 b, 3 Mr A. G. Simms, of the Agricultural Department, who was present at the show, was highly pleased with the exhibits in lire vegetable department. The exhibit of peaches by Mr A. 11. Mayo was belter than , anything he had seen in California. lie complimented Mr London upon his exhibit of potatoes, and remarked that they could not, have looked better if they had been oiled.