The Reporter

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 10, 9 June 1894, Page 9

The Reporter

WINTON DOINGS. (By oti b own Reporter.) Very creditable to all concerned was the exhibition of grain, roots, dairy produce, fruit, and poultry, held under the auspices of the Winton A- and P. Association in the Exchange Hall on Tuesday last. The committee were favoured with fine weather, and in the afternoon, by which time the judging was over, a large number of visitors were eagerly awaiting admittance. Many of these rode or drove in from a distance, and the appearance of so many vehicles, not a few of a natty description, speaks well for the state of the surrounding thoroughfares and the prosperity of the settlers. To two at least of the visitors —Messrs Ronald and Lindsay -—the change wrought by settlement must have been very noticeable, for they formed members of a party who some thirty years ago footed it from the Lakes goldfields to Waianawa, camping at a bridge (the only indication of settlement) near where Winton now stands. The grain and roots were judged by Messrs J. Mclntyre, T. Fleming, and W. Ronald, and the butter, cheese, fruit, etc., by Messrs R. Gilmour and W. Stirling. They had an arduous task, particularly in the grain and butter departments, but their awards appeared to be pretty generally accepted as correct, albeit, as per usual, a few complaints were made, as thus —“ I dinna wish tae find fault, but a wheen folk say ma dochter’s butter’s far before the lot that ye pit first.” But who could take exception to an opinion so nicely put P The central stand was devoted to the fruit, butter, cheese, eggs, and home-made bread. There were four entries for the fruit section, Mr H. Hammond of Limehills, whose fame as a grower is more than local, coming first with a very fine collection of apples. He also exhibited a beet weighing 14 lbs. And what shall be said of the butter, the cakes, the scones, the oat-cakes, the plumpuddings, and the cheese ? Simply this —that they were exceedingly creditable to the maids and matrons who sent them forward. Whatever may be the case elsewhere, the farmers’ wives and daughters in the Winton district are evidently well versed in domestic lore in the accomplishments that count for much in the making of happy homes. And yet, a Wintonian of a statistical turn of mind declared that within a small radius of Winton there are fully one hundred unmarried young ladies. What can’the bachelors be thinking about ? The cereals shown were very good, the oats and wheat in particular giving the judges a good deal of trouble. Some splendid wheat was shown by Messrs W. and J. Keith, and the oats —long and short berry respectively —exhibited by Messrs 3 . B. Porteous and C. Mcßae (Brantra) were deservedly greatly admired. There w 7 ere no fewer than twelve entries in the short oats, and Mr C. Mcßae gained first and second prizes. There was a capital display of potatoes, while the turnips on view would have been hard to beat, either for size or solidity. Poultry were not largely represented, but those shown included some very nice birds. The accommodation available was not sufficient for the proper display of either the live or inanimate exhibits, and although the committee made the best use of the means at their disposal, it is evident that with so much good material to draw upon for an exhibition, they must another time obtain more space. We had almost omitted to mention that Mr Woodworth of the Gap works, had a very handsome stand of potteryware, both plain and ornamental, on view. The office-bearers worked assiduously to secure success, and deserve credit for their efforts, especially Messrs J. Cowie (President), D. McKenzie (Treasurer), W. and J. Keith, W. Coster, J. Collie, J. B. Porteous, E. Andrews, A. Liddell, and W. Swale. should also be made to the

services of the energetic secretary (Mr M. O’Brien) whose good-humour never failed, and who beguiled even the unsuccessful competitors into smiling, while also attending to his various duties. Although no special provision was made for implements, a representative of the J. G. Ward Farmers’ Association availed himself of the opportunity to call attention to the points of the Massey-Harris spring tooth cultivator, for which the Association are agents. Not to be outdone, Mr J. Keith, representing the Southland Farmers’ Implement and Engineering Co., also sounded the praises of their “ Colonial ” patent- combined grain, turnip, and manure drills. Inside the hall, Mr W. C. Wilkins, of Invercargill, introduced an “ extra” show in the shape of some seventy fine lamps of varied design, thirty of which he used at night to illuminate the hall, the effect being very good. Subjoined is the PRIZE LIST ; Class I. Grain. —Bag wheat, long berry—l, W. Keith (641 b) ; 2, T. Kennedy (641 b). Three entries. Bag wheat, short berry—l, J. Keith (64|lb); 2, ,1. Keith (64ilb); 3, A. McLeod (641 b). Seven entries. Bag oats, long berry —l, J. B. Porteous (481 b); 2, W. McGregor (481 b). Thi-ee entries. Bag oats, short berry —1 and 2, C. Mcßae (471 b); 3, F. Malcolm. Twelve entries. Bag barley—l, W. King (5511 b); 2, J. Thomson (52£lb). Four entries. Class 11. Grass-seed. —Ryegrass —l, J. Thomson (30*lb); 2, D. King (30*lb) ; 3, H. Rubber Eleven entries. Linseed—T. Kennedy. One entry. CLASS III: Roots. —Potatoes, early—l, A. McLeod ; 2, P. Deegan; 3, G. Cunningham. Seven entries. Potatoes, late —l, A. McLeod; 2, R. .Cowan; 3, D. McCallum. Nine entries. Turnips, Swedes —I, W. McGregor; 2. J. Ealska ; commended, D. McKenzie. Six entries. Turnips, common—l, J. Porteous ; 2, W. Walker; 3, W. Keith. Fourteen entries. CLASS IV. Dairy Produce. —Fresh butter (plain rolls) —l, Mrs W. Frazer ;2, Miss Younger; 3, Miss McCallum and Mrs Leggatt equal; -very highly commended, Miss Gerrard; commended, Miss Norman. Sixteen entries. Salt butter —l, Miss Norman; 2, Mrs Collie; 3, Miss J. Younger; highly commended, Miss McCallum. Eleven entries Cheese (not factory)—l, Mrs A. Gerrard, junr.; 2, Miss Collie; 3, Mrs CollieTwelve entries, CLASS V. Miscellaneous. —Collection of fruit—l, H. Hammond ; 2, S. Blee. Four entries. Collection of vegetables—l, O’Brien Bros.; 2, A. Liddell. Three entries. Home - made loaf—l, Miss Lindsay ; 2, Miss M. Lindsay ; 3, Miss Younger; commended, Mrs Ryan. Ten entries. Home-made scones 1, Miss Malcolm ; 2, Mrs T. O’Brien : 3, Miss J. Younger. Nine entries. Oat-cake—-1, Mrs McLeod; 2. Miss Malcolm ; 3, Miss Kidd. Eight entries. Cock and hen (fancy) —l, R. Martin ; 2, Master T. Patterson. Three entries. Cock and hen (common) —1, Miss Cowie ; 2, Master J. Swale. Four entries. Drake and duck (fancy)—l, O. Baird. One entry. Drake and duck (common) —1, T. Norman; 2, J. McLeod. Five entries. Eggs, not less than two dozen any one kind —l, Mias McKenzie; 2 Mrs Hamilton; 3, Miss Cowie. Four entries. Best collection of eggs, not less than six of each kind—l, Miss Cowie. One entry. SPECIALS.

Best bag o£ wheat in Class 1, two coulte plates and centres, value £i Is, gift of Hi Worship the Mayor of Winton, Mr A. McArthur, —J. Keith. Best bag of oats in Class 1, £1 Is (value), gift of Mr J. Hunter, — J. B. Porteous. Best bag oats (sparrowbills), timber, value £1 Is, gift of Messrs Mcßae and MePherson, —C. Mcßae. Best bag barley in Class 1, drain pipes, value £1 Is, gift of Mr S. Buxton, —D. King. The most successful competitor in Class 1, timber value LI Is, gift of Mr E. Jack, —J. Keith and C Mcßae divided. Largest exhibitor in Class 1, silver-mounted pi >e, value 10s Gd, gift of Mr J. Hagerty,—J. Keith. Best collection in Class 111, timber, value £1 Is, gift of N.Z. Pine Company, A. McLeod. Bcrst fresh butter in Class IV, lady’s bonnet, value £1 Is, gift of Mr J. Gilmour, —Mrs W. Frazer. Best salt butter in Class IV, cruet stand, value £1 Is, gift of Mr T. iSteyen,— Miss Norman. Best fancy butter, first, lady’s Watcrbury watch, value 22s 6d, gift of Mr T. Me William, —Mrs A. Gerrard, jnr. ; second, copy of Southern Cross for 12 months, gift of Ward, Wilson and Co., —Mias Lindsay. The most successful competitor' in butter, potteryware (value £1 Is), gift of Mr Woodnorth, —Mrs W. Frazer. Best local cheese (10s 6d value), gift of Mr J. Robertson, — Mrs A. Gerrard, jnr. Best home-made loaf in Class V, cake, value 7s 6d, gift of Mr R. Jamieson, —Miss Lindsay. Best fancy teascones, first prize, copy of Southland Times for half year, gift of Co., —Miss M. Lindsay ; second prize, 10s 6d (value), gift of Mr E. R.

Kidd, —Mra Hamilton. Largest prize-taker , in poultry, kitchen stray, value £1 Is, gift ot Messrs Wilson and McKay,—Mrs Andrews. ■ Best bag of mangold wurzel, pair of long ' leggings, value 15s, gift of Mr W. Cutcliffe, — i J. Falska. Best bag of carrots, riding whip, value 10s 6d, gift of Mr F. A. Cole, —J. Falska. Best three heads of cabbage, hat, value 10s 6d, gift of Mr A. Gibson, —D. Jenkins. Best plum pudding, 10s 6d (cash), gift of Mr D. McPherson, —Mrs J. Keith. Best jar honey, tin of mixed lollies, value 7s 6if, gift of Mrs J. Whyte,-—W. McLeod. Best pair of turkeys, washstand, value 10s 6d, gift of Mr A. Brassett, —Mrs Andrews. Best goose eggs (not less than six), a pair of lady's kid gloves, gift of Mr R. Gilmour (Invercargill),—T. Kennedy. Best 12 stalks celery and 12 leeks, 10s 6d (value), gift of Mr I). -Cameron, —A. Liddell. The best dressed gentleman competitor, pair trousers, value £1 10s, gift of Mr S. H. Woods, —M. O’Brien. Best bag of Aberdeen turnips, £1 worth of Sutton’s seeds, gift of Messrs Tothill, Watson & Co., —J. B. Porteous. Best bag of Swedes, £1 worth of Sutton’s seeds, gift of Messrs Tothill, Watson & Co., —D. McKenzie. Pair of geese, trophy value £1 Is, gift of Walter Guthrie & Co., —Mrs Andrews. Collection of potatoes, hat, value 7s 6d, gift of Messrs Thomson and Beattie, —A. McLeod. Best powdered buttsr, fender, gift of Mr P. A. Blyth,—Mrs W. Frazer; five entries. Mr Liddell’s special for most successful competitor; and Messrs O’Brien brothers for largest number of entries have not yet been awarded. FANCY FAIR. “It’s better,” according to a homely old proverb, “ to be born lucky than rich.” The Winton Brass Band, which came into existence a comparatively short time ago, and has since made good progress under the conductorship pf Mr Wylie, has never been a - wealthy institution, but it is certainly lucky in the possession of many friends. Pleasing and convincing proof of this was afforded last Tuesday, when a bazaar in aid of the band’s instrnment fund was opened in the Oddfellows’ Hall. When the matter was broached to the ladies of Winton and district some mouths agr, they took it up most readily, and the work, despite the distractions dne to the enfranchisement of the fair sex, and to the exercise of voting-power in November and March last, went on with unflagging zeal under the direction of the following executive: —President, Mrs Wylie; treasurer, Miss Gilmour; secretary, Miss H. Birss. These ladies worked well, and were able to command the services of a corps of skilful coadjutors, among those who rendered material assistance being Mesdames Richards, Watson, Ross, McGaw, Young, Becket; and Misses Cameron, McMillan, Baird, Norman, Wilson, Hunter, Tanner, Liddell, O’Reilly, Cowie (2), Mclnerney, Gerrard, and Keith (2). On entering the hall visitors first encountered a tree whose branches were laden with “ exotics ” dear to the youthful heart, while the centre of the room was occupied by a stall replete with articles of use and ornament, including some very beautiful cushions. Passing on, there was suspended from the stage a fine piece of art work in the shape of a large mantel drape in plush, with a superstructure of bead-work. The drape was designed by Mrs Richards, and the details ably carried out by a number of young ladies. Other examples of feminine skill and taste adorned the wails, conspicuous among them a patch-work quilt. To this forty young ladies each contributed a patch, and, in some cases, a motto, as for instance —“ Ilka little makes a muckle,” and “Do all the good you can.” The result of this artistic co-operation was an exceedingly good piece of work—admirably worked in varied and pretty colour's. A tea kiosk, shooting gallery, fish pond, post office and all other et ceteras were not wanting, the line only beingdrawn at fortune-telling’, which is a a dangerous occupation now-a-days. When the bazaar closed it was found that the gross takings amounted to about £IOO, which will leave a substantial contribution to the funds of the band.