TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASTOCIATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2375, 27 October 1880, Page 2

TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASTOCIATION.

To-day was the second and consequently the popular day of the A gricultural Show. The weather was delightful—plcuty of sunshine, a cool bracing atmosphere, and scarcely sufficient wind to raise that great drawback to outdoor recreation in Timaru —the dust. Vehicles of every imaginable kind made the streets busy during the forenoon and cabs and expresses heavily freighted with intellectual exhibits kept the Main road between town and the grounds at Wai-iti in an alarming state of bustle. The day was proclaimed a holiday and his Worship’s edict was duly observed with closed shops and partly deserted streets. The drive from town—a distance of about a mile and a half—was a luxury in itself, for the surrounding country with its charming villas, gardens, lawns, paddocks and undulating downs, decked out in the attractive guise of Spring, formed a panorama excelling anything that Bachclder has ever been been able to introduce. The Society’s grounds arc beautifully situated in the midst of a paradise of gardens and clover fields. The pens were well arranged, and the exhibits were so displayed that there was but little grumbling on the part of exhibitors. Messrs J. King and T, Langdon vied with each other in providing suitable paddocks for the owners of vehicles, and there was no lack of good stabling under the hedges. The accommodation of man as well as beast was not neglected, for Mr T. Richmond, with a strong force o f waiters distributed whiskey and other luxuries in the spacious marquees, while Messrs J. 11. Witt audCo., drove a splendid trade in pastries, fruit, and temperance refreshments. A merry-go-round for the children a toy stall for the bucolic youth of both sexes, to squander their spare cash upon, and the excellent music of the Timaru Artillery Hand, by no means completed the list of attractions. First we must glance at the live exhibits. SHEEP. The merinos head the list as in former years. Tin's year they exceed by ten entries tbc number exhibited last year, making the respectable total of 125. Taking them altogetbei they were as noticeable for quality as quantity. The principle exhibitors are Messrs C. Cr. Tripp, J. Burton, It. 11. Rhodes, J. Pearson, E, Elwortby and W. Moody.

The N.Z. and A. Land Company 'nave a few very fine exhibits from Pareora. In Leiccsters Messrs P. 11. R. Russell and E. Alenlove carry off the cream of tiro prizes. Air J. Reid has also some fine exhibits, and he has secured a few of the awards. Mr Reid has, however, been most fortunate with bis Romney Marsh stock, for he takes the bulk of the honors in this class. HORSES. A very nice show of horses delighted the farmers and breeders to whom the Timaru Show are a red-letter days in the calendar. A large number of entries, both draught and'thoroughbred, put in an appearance, many of which were recently on view at the annual horse paiade. CATTLE. There was a very nice lot of Shorthorns, Mr P. H. Russell’s well-known aged bull Hastings figuring alongside of Air Kelland’s Knight Errant and Skobeloff and Air Hanlyn’s magnificent cent animal Otago. Alessrs Russell, Guscott and F. Archer also shewed some very choice samples of this breed. Herefords were represented altogether by one breeder, Air Afred Cox, and Mr K. 'A. Barker bad the Devons all to himself. Ayrshires were represented by a variety of owners, and some very fine stock were shown, especially those belonging to Mr J. C. McKerrow. Alessrs Peacock and Geaney exhibited a couple of magnificent steers and there was a prize selection of fat cattle from the mobs of the best breeders in Canterbury nas poultry &c. Owing to the worthlesness of the prizes we prccumc the entries of pigs and poultry were not numerous, but they were select, the former being mountains of lard, while the poultry displayed in plumage, symmetry, and oilier points best known to fanciers, qualities worthy of much admiration. The display of dogs was limited to about a score. Air R. Rutherford took first prize in sheep dogs, Dr Alaciutyre in greyhounds, with Livingsione Maid, and Air A. L Barker in beagles. The products of the dairy were in abundance, and the competition between maids and housewives was simply grand. Air Jas. Guscott secured the prize :for red wheat; Air Norman Lane was awarded the medal for white wheat, and Alessrs Stewart and Alartin carried otf the honors for barley and oats. The following is a list of the awards : SHEEP.

Sheep best adapted for for grazing on cultivated grasses iu enclosed land. LEICESTER. Two best rams, above 18 months old, P. H. Russell 1. Two best rams, under 18 months, P. H. Russell I. Best ram, above 18 months, P. H. Russell 1. Best ram, under 18 mouths, P. H. Russell 1 and 2. Two best ewes, above 18 months, with lambs, P. P. Russell 1 : N, Z. and A. L. Co. 2 and highly commended. Two best ewes, above 18 months, P. H. Russell, 1 ; Wilkin and Garter highly commended. Best ewe, above 18 months, P. 11. Russell I and 2 ; N. Z. and A. Co. highly commended. Best ewe, under IS months, P. H. Russell 1 and 2, and highly comLUCLuIciI. J.I NCOIiN. Two best rams, above IS months, P. H. Russell I ; E. Alenlove 2 and .3. Two best rams, under 18 months, P. 11. Bussell I ; E. Alenlove, 2 and 3, Best ram, above 18 months, P. 11. Russell 1 ; K. Alenlove 2 : John Reid 3. Best ram, under 18 months, P. 11. Russell 1 ; E. Alenlove 2 ; P. 11. Russell 3. Two best owes, above 18 months, with lambs at foot, J. Reid 1 ; P. H. Russell 2 and 3. Two best ewes, under 18 months, P. H. Russell 1,2, and 3. Best ewe, above IS months, J. Reid 1 and 2 ; P. H. Russell 3. best ewe, under 18 months, P. II Russell 1 and 2 ; E. Alenlove 3. ROMNEY MARSH. Two best rams, above 18 months old, John Reid 1 and 2. Two best rams, under 18 months, John Reid 1 and 2. Best rain, above 18 months, John Reid 1,2, and highly commended. Best ram, under 18 months, John Reid 1 and 2. Two best ewes, above 18 months with lambs at foot, John Reid 1, Wilkin and Carter 2. Two best ewes, under 18 months, John Reid 1,2, and highly commended. Best owe, above 18 months, John Reid 1,2, and highly commended. Best ewe, under 18 months, Alfred Cox,!, John Reid 2, and highly commended. The prize for the champion ram was awarded to a Leicester ram bred by Air P. Russell.