THE TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW.

Southland Times, Issue 747, 8 November 1867, Page 3

THE TIMARU AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL SHOW.

The second annual show of the Timaru Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held on the 30th ult. The awards of the judges, in some of the classes of stock shown, have already been reported. The following additional particulars of the show appear in the Oamaru Times : — The second annual show of this Association was held on the 30th ult., in the Society's grounds, and was decidely successful. The number of entries of sheep nearly doubled those of last year, and there was a considerable increase in horses. In cattle there was rather a falling off, indeed this was the only weak part of the show. Farm and dairy produce, pigs and poultry, were most favorably represented, and the samples of cereals evince that this district is well able to compete with any in New Zealand. The most important exhibit, viz., the Bheep, showed a marked improvement in the young stock, compared with that of last year, and the Judges had a most difficult task to perform in determiningthe merits of the various classes of Merinos shown by local breeders. The great feature of the day was the awarding of the prizes for the best New Zealand-bred Earn, for which, besides the medal, a silver cup was to be awarded, and for the best Earn, imported or otherwise, for which a silver medal was also given.. In both these classes (7 and 5) Mr Eich's two rams carried off the honors of the day — that for the cup by a sixtooth ram, bred at Palmerston, and hardly to be surpassed for size and symmetry of frame, combined with a weighty, lengthy, and beautifully square staple ; indeed, had the wool possessed more lustre, we would fully endorse the fitness of the name bestowed by Mr Eich on this sheep, viz., " Perfection." The other first prize was awarded to an imported sheep, •which, though aged, bore his declining years most honorably ; his wool we have not seen equalled for beauty, length, and fineness combined. This sheep, we are informed, has clipped 231bs in one year. The competition between the Levels, Mr Ellworthy's, and Messrs Studholm's Merinos was close. The former (Messrs G-eorge Gray Eussell and Co.'s) carried off the palm for the best pen of rams ; Mr Ellworthy following close, in addition to* taking prizes in every class of ewes. Had Mr Studholm's rams been in better condition, it would have been difficult to have foreseen how the beam of judgment would have turned, but his sheep are marked by attention to profit. In Longwool the display was most satisfactory. The prizes and silver cup were awarded to Messrs Gr. Gr. Eussell and Co., for (Southland-bred) Leicester and Lincoln rams. Some magnificent draught horse stock was exhibited. The centre of attraction in this class was " Ivanhoe," (Messrs G-. Gk Eussell and Co.'s) imported pure Clydesdale ; we have not seen in this Colony an equal to this hcrse, and he does more than justice to his illustrious sire and dam. The judges in this class had much difficulty ; " the tape " being applied, had given better points from the knee downwards to Mr Studholm's entire — a very compact dark chesnut Suffolk, to which the prize was awarded. Mr Thomson, of Otaio, and Mr Paterson, Sheep Inspector, carried off the honors in draught mares in the several classes. In the evening, over 100 gentlemen sat down to dinner at the "Eoyal." The President, W. K. Macdonald, Esq., in giving the toast of the evening, " The Society," gracefully acknowledged that in yielding the first prize to Otago, it was no demerit to be beaten by the first breeder of the Colony ; and a general trust was expressed that . a healthy and friendly rivalry would henceforth be stimulated between the breeders of the Timaru and Oamaru districts.