THE DINNER

Southland Times, Volume I, Issue 44, 10 April 1863, Page 2

THE DINNER

Took place in tivj evening, in the large new st'irc of Messrs W. Miller and Co, Dee-stri-ct, kindly lent by that firm for the purpose ; and the Committee could not have had a 'i ore desirable place for the event. If a stranger had any difficulty in finding out the premises, he might easily have been led to them by thestnins of tie Highland bagpipes, which we:e vigorously sounded outside while the company as-emhled. The chair was occupied by His Honor the Superintendent, President of the Association, supported right and left by Messrs Pinkerton, J;imies<-n, Bank of N. S. W. ; M'Kellar, Mataura ; Morton, Seward Downs ; M'Lean, Benmore ; Johnston, &c Mr I). M' Arthur, Hon. Sec. to the Association, officiated as croupier, and had as supporters Messrs Dulrymple, Scott, Clarke and Mueller. The company, which numbered about 100, partook of a most substantial repas*, which was furnished by Mr Cameron, of the Albion. The viands disposed of, the tables were cleared, and The Chairman, in a few appropriate sentences, proposed "The Q-.ieen," which was responded to with the customary loyalty. " 11. 11. 11. the Fiince of Wales," met with a like reception ; and " one tremendous cheer" extra was given for the Princess of Wales. The "Army and Navy" was next given f'.Uowpd by the song "The Flag that Braved." At the suggestion of the Chairman, loudly seconded by several gentlemen, the croupier then read the list of succassful competitors : — CLASS I.— CATTLE. BHOBT HORSED BULLS. Sojtfon i. lit pri*« — Mr Morton of Sea*wcl

Downs, £8 ;*2nd do, Mr M'Lean of Benmore, £4; 3rd do, Mr Grieve of Branxholme, commended. BHOBT HOKH COWS. Section 3. Ist prize — Mr Morton of Seaward Downs, £6; 2nd do, Mr Grieve of Branxholme, £3; 3rd do, Mr M'Lean of Benmore, commend*!. BHO&T HOES HKIFEBS. Section 4. Ist prize— Mr Morton of Seaward Downs, £3. ATESHIKB COWfl. Section 5. Ist prize— Mr Morton of Seaward Downs, £8 ; 2nd do, do do, £4 ; 3rd do, do do, commended. EXTRA STOPK. BEST PAIR OP BULLOCKS. Section 8. Ist prize — Mr Dawson of Hogue's Bush, £6 ; 2nd do, Mr M'Lean of Benmore, £3; 3rd do, Mr Cabin of Eeab y, commended, cows. Section 9. Ist prize— Mr M'Lean of ißonmore, £6 j 2nd do, do do, commended. CLASS II.— HORSES. DRAUGHT KNTIHEB. No competition. TnOEOtTGHBEFD ENTIRES. Section 1. Ist prize — Mr Richardson of Oaklfmd,4sß; 2nd do, Mr Cameron, Albion Hotel. £4; 3rd do, Mr Cabin of Reaby, commended. DRAUGHT MARES. Section 3. Ist prize— Mr Wilson of Tlthnm, £8; 2nd do, Mr Morton nf Seaward Downs, £4; 3rd <10, Mrs Sogue of Woodforr?, commended. DRAUGHT PILLIES. Section 4. Ist prize— Mrs Hogueof Woodford, £4. CLASS III.— SHEEP. HEEINO TUPS, ABOVE TWO TOOTH. Pection 1. lstprizp — Mr Hill ofCrnydcn, £8 2nd do, Campbell Brothers of Maimahaka, £4; 3rd do, Mr Hill of Crovdon, commrnded. MERIHO IUPS, NOT MORE THAN TWO TOOTH. Section 2. Ist price— Campbpll Brothers "f Mnimahnka, £9 : 2nd do, Mr Hill of Prodon, £3 : 3rd do, Campbell Brothers of Maimahaka, com ; mended. EXTEA STOCK. No competition. 9 One pair of n?ed tups (Mr M'Lpnn of Ben- | morp) very ?uperior, and well and closplv woolled. fnrajp. Judges recommended a priz«, £6. Two pens of Toune^ Leicester owes, specially recom™nnnVd as very mperior, Mr Morton of Seaward Downs. CLASS TV.— SWINE. BOAR. Section 1. Ist pr\zp — Mr Morton of Seaward Downs' £4; 2nd do, Mr Cameron, Albion Hotel, £2. sow. Section 2. Ist priz?— Mr Cameron, Albion Hotel, £4; 2nd do, Mr Grieve of Branxholme, £2. D. M'ARTHUR, Hon. Secretary, The Croupier made some explanatory remarks, which were received with applause. The Chairman rose to propose the " Successful Competitors." In sivinsr this toast he would say a few words on the character of the sho\v, and the comparison it presented with the previous show of thp association. The show last year was the first, and it turned out better than was anticipated. On the whole the stock shown was more numerous and good than they expected, and surprised all who had to do with it ; though the show of sheep and swine was small. As always would occur when societies were inaugurated rather hurriedly, there was a want of organisation and want of men who understood the business or had the leisure time to c've to it. Hp. p.xpected they would Ret over these difficulties after the lapse of two or three shows, though it was graiifving now to find the interest taken in the association. This season the. number of cattle exhibited had not been virtually so great as at last show, but he was cnformerl by iheir laborious secretary that the number of prizes gained were much greater, an 1 the good cattle more numerous, and the show of one class in sheep was really good. There had also been a great difference in the methodical way things were conducted. They had one or two gentlemen who devoted themselves to all the details of the show, and in the short time they had done wonders. Kvery one would confess that a great deal had been done regarding the present show, and more important work done in laying the foundation for future shows. Success in such matters, lie cmi^idared, came of breeders taking an interest in them, and the manner with which, they weje conducted — when it became, not the hobby of a few individuals, but recognised by the country as one of importance. Another branch fostered by the Association was the cultivation of land, and they 1) id th'.-ir ploughing matches also. Breeding of s'- ck be considered to he the risjlit. arm. and the ultivation of ihe land the left ar'n in utility. Me allivled lo this to show merplv that, the breeding of stock was not the only thing which the Association sought to enourasje. Another encouraging thir"x wns tins. Notwithstanding the large consumption of ctflp, and importation almost prevenled, the natural inere.-^D "■ 'd been 25 percent. This was very encou'" • ;\ns when it, wns considered they had now ■ nmething like 12,0u0 head of cattle in the Province. If they could only persuade breeders that the promotion and encouragement of such shows would be of service to them personally, shows of stock in this place or the neighborhood could not fail to be most successful in the course of a year or two. He had noticed a slight sensation, •Mid heard some remarks made that one gentlemm should carry off 60 many prizes. It was the same way last. year. But they wou'd see that this success should teach them to obtain such stock as would breed up equal to Jim. Had they imported cattle as this gentleman and his friends had done, this would necessarily bo the case, and he who i-troduced cattle of this description was a benefactor to the country. (Hear. Hear) This gentleman with a generosity and liberality seldom known, on receiving such a large sum of money in prizes last year, had, in the most handsome manner, restored it to the Society (Cheers). His Flonor concluded' by promwing the toast coupled with the health of Air Morton. The toa=>t was enthusiastic illy drunk. Mr Morton replied; in the course of his remarks (which were rather inaudible), noticing what he considered the points of a well bred ani'nal. The. Croupier in proposing " The Unsuccessful Competitors," said there was really none who could come under that term, as all had got some prize— if they were not in the first class, they were in the second or thin). He then spoke a!> length of his experience oftiie benefits of such societies at home. Mr Grieves was called on to reply, but he objected.having got the third prize for a sLort-horned bull, and eery one present being in the same, or a better position, the customary form had to^ be di c pens'd with. The Chairman next proposed "The Judges." coupled with the name of Mr Pinkerton. His Honor paid some high complements to that gen tleman for his conduct while acting as Inspector of sheep. The toast, was cordially drunk; the company joining with a will in " He'sa right good Fellow." Mr Pinkerton in reply, referred to his experience as a sheep Inspector. During that time he had never received a single uncourteous reception from any one, but always the utmost hospitality, and his journeys, which were many, had been invaribly more of pleasure than business. He trusted that in the former he had not neglected the 1 itter. (cries of '• certainly not." He agreed with the lemarksofthe Croupier on the utility of the Society, and called the attention of one and all to the fact, that, to obtain st^ck ready to meet the demands'of the market, was the one great object of such societies. He depiveited b; ing prejudic -i in favor of any particular breed ; it was the formation they ought to look to. Study the various animals as to which was the best in physical formation — that was the lesson to be learned. He concluded by making a suggestion that in future, a slight alteration might- be made to meet the views of those on the other tide of the border. It was too far tor them to bring stock to Invercargill and he would beveryhappj if an arrangement could be made so that owners of stock in both Provinces could mutually exh ibit. Mr Pinkerton resumed his seat amid applause. His Honor the Superintendanfc, here vacated the chair and left the company, when Mr Pinkerton was voted into the vacant seat. The toasts subsequently proposed were "The President," " The Ladies," and " The Prees." Afonrardjaresl Bachelors' Ball (no ladies) waa

I improvised, and the compkav did not i] I •nearly hour. V - :