Our Miscellany.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 38, 16 December 1893, Page 6

Our Miscellany.

WESTERIN' DISTRICT A. & P. SHOW. Wednesday, 6th December, was a red-letter day in the history of Otautau. On that date it was the scene, for the first time in its history, of the Western District A. and P. Society’s annual show, hitherto held in Riverton. The directors, wishing to try the effect of a change to a more central place, selected Otautau for the experiment, which was crowned with the happiest results. Despite unfavourable weather, about a thousand people gathered, the takings at the gates, apart from members’ tickets, being represented by nearly £3O. The township had been put into holiday trim in honour of the occasion, and the playing of the Riverton Brass Band, under Conductor Moore, gave the finishing touch to the gaiety of the scene. The entiles were numerous and good, particularly of stock. Space will not permit of detailed notice, and it must suffice to say that from every point of view the office-bearers as well as the people of Otautau had good reason to be pleased with the success of the undertaking. In draughts Mr J. Blaikie secured the championships witt Herd Laddie and Lady Salisbury, with Mr W. Lord Onslow and Mr A. Hannah’s Annie Laurie good seconds. In thoroughbred entires (any age) Mr F. Hewitt’s Kimberley was first, Mr W. Blaikie securing the honours for his entries in the two-year-old class. Cattle and sheep were well represented : the dairy produce section was most attractive, the display of butter especially so, the maids and matrons of the district running each other closely. Mr A. H. Lindsay, of Invercargill, had it all his own way in hams and bacon, carrying off all the “ firsts.” There was a splendid display of implements, the Southland Farmers’ Implement and Engineering Company being to the fore with over twenty entries. The other exhibitors in this section included Messrs Wilson and McKay’s (Winton) new patent, single furrow plough and drain plough combined, in which a great deal of interest was shown by the farmers. Mr W. H. Mathieson, with vehicles, Mr J. H. Kissell, with high-class saddlery and furnishings, and Mr H. Cnnningham, with horsecovers and other requirements, were very creditably represented.