DUNEDIN RACES.

Southland Times, Issue 921, 23 March 1868, Page 9

DUNEDIN RACES.

MAIDEN PLATE. „ f Lauder, 1 ; Billy, 2; Alice Hawt^rae,. 3. Eest nowhere. — Time, 2.55. **v*. HANDICAP HURDLE BAOB. 1 v Don Pedro, 1 ; Clown, 2. Six startedOTAGO JOCKY CLUB HANDICAP; Schoolboy, lj Firetail, 2; Storiftbird^ 3. Tenwstarted — time, 3.55. TAIREI STAKES. • n Bobbie Burns, 1 j Virginia, 2.-^Time,. 1.50 HANDICAP TROTTING- RACE. * * Eanger, 1 ; Donald 2 ; Major piilledup. HURRY SCURRY. Crucifix, 1 j Postboy, 2 ; 3 start^dir

AUTUMN EXHIBITION OE THE LAND AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

A variety of circumstances have been m operation during the past few months S Produce upon the public mind a feeling of Apprehension as to the probable results of Te last Show of the season of the. * W society. What with the very un-. &abWeather which has prevailed Sughout the summer months the expresSl disatisfaction of one or two large Exhibitors with the arrangements and Sons at last Show, general opinion seemed to point to at least only a very Sal success on the present occasion, Snflesome of. the e^P o^J lu^ •hVi^ated notking shoTt of total tailure, Sthe co^queltcollapse ofthe institution. All these doubts, tears and gloomy forebodings were, however, happily and instantly dispelled when tiie doors ofthe Wednesday last thrown open and the pubhc admitted to gaze with unmixed admiration on the fhoice and large collection of Agricultural and Horticultural products there dsplayed. Taking up a position on the Lnt ofthe stage, from whence the whole coUection could be viewd en masse, the scene presented was one of rich magnificence and gorgeous coloring, the first glance at which intuitively prompted the query "wherever can they all have §een grown.?" The answer to this question could of course behest obtained by consulting the cards affixed to the various exhibits, and as we proceeded to satisfy ourselves on tbis point, and Kiore leisurely and minutely examined the individual specimens as they successively attracted our attention, it but increased our wonder how such excellence could have been attained in the face pf such climatic perverseness as has marked the closing season. While surveying the different table's one could not help being struck with the frequent occurrence of the same names — names now become familiar as household words to visitors at these exhibitions. On the stages devoted to flowers the namesCooper & Co., Miss Sinclair, J. Morton, Wm Preston, B. Miller, and C. Broad, occurred again and again. On the fruit table the most prominent were, J. Blacklock, W. Lawrence, Abram Watson, D. M'Arthur and J. E. Stewart In the Vegetable Department Mr B. Birrell, ql the Waihopai, seemed to distance all competitors, although the names of Mr C Broad, W. Lawrence, E. Hamilton, J. Erskine, J. Blacklock, Cooper & Co., and D. M'Arthur, also put in a frequent and conspicious appearance. To notice in detail everything worthy of remark, would envolve the occupation of much greater space than we have at disposal, while it may almost seem invidious, where all was excellent, to select any particular articles for special comment, still, there were a few exhibits which we think justly entitled to that pre-eminence. On the flower stages there were many rare and lovely specimens, both for exhibition and competition, many of them so delicate in their texture as to make one think their owners almost foolish in risking their existence to the. chapter of accidents in moving and removing, or to the less tender mercies of rude hands, which, in.SDite of the polite request, " please do not touch," would persist in grasping and feeling the tender brittle steins and soft velvety leaves— indeed we observed one or two large pots containing plants most costly, actually up3et; On the first stage on entering the Theatre — that devoted to professional floriculturists—the most striking objects were the gigantic fuchsias,"exhibited by Messrs Cooper & Co., and by Mr J. Morton; perfect pyramids of softest foliage, and rich pendant clusters of the peculiarly beautifully formed bloom for which this flower is remarkable. A brugmansia sanguinea, a curious looking plant bearing alarge trumpet shaped flower, also exhibited by Messrs Cooper a,nd'Cb., attracted much attention from its peculiar characteristics, and deserved all the approbate ye epithets applied to k. It had much improved since we first saw it, a very tiny plant, at a former show. Two beautiful foliage plants, exhibited by Mr Preston, gardener to Cooper and Co., were in close proximity, and were much admired, viz., a lonieera aurea reticulata and a castor oil plant. From the same gardens were also shown a teconia grandiHora, a nerwn olenders, and ;a' Ugnonia, all pot plants of great beauty and in the

healthiest possible condition. On the amateurs' stage there was also a rare j display of greenhouse plants, principally from the conservatories of Miss Sinclair and Mr E. Millar. Prominent amongst these was a magnificent hydrangea japonica, and a juclisia effuAlgens, both shown by Mr Millar, and both plants of the most luxuriant foliage and flqwe^f the latter attracted great attention from the singularly . graceful formation of its blossoms, and its great rarity, being, we are assured, the only plant of the kind in the province: and the. former by its ample proportions, literally covering a large portion of the table with a dense mass of deep green leaves and bright flowers. Abignonia latifolia from the same owner was also a very beautiful plant. Mr J. E. Stewart had on the same table a very well-grown musk plant, which imparted a very pleasant odour to its neighborhood, and also a very fine specimen of the oakleaved scented geranium. This plant was in excellent health and Well-grown though not in the best possible conditionfor exhibition, being outof flower, it was, however, well worthy of the extra prize which the judges awarded to it. Two petunias of Miss Sinclair's were likewise very beautiful, and gained a first prize ; and the same may be said of a couple of superb scarlet geraniums shown by the same lady. Fuchsias, geraniums, petunias, calceolarias, and other choice plants were grouped on this table in great profusion, witnessing that a taste for flowers, the most chastely beautiful and rare, is widely cultivated and indulged in by a large number of our community. In cut flowers there was a most profuse display, and a very marked improvement on former shows. We have rarely seen such splendid dahlia blooms, certainly never superior, as were here to be met with in almost unlimited numbers. A tray of twelve varieties (selfs), shown by Mr C. Broad, of Gladstone, was in itself a feast to the eyes, every bloom being to all appearance a perfect type of its class. The smaller trays of six each, on the same table, were also all filled with superb flowers; that shown by Mr Waugh, gardener to W. H. Calder, Esq., being quite equal to Mr Broad's, and deservedly obtained the iirst prize in its own class ; the other traysMessrs Morton's and Cooper's — were also very fine. In the class for amateurs only, Mr Broad also obtained the first prize ; Mr Birrel the second. Of hollyhocks, there was a grand display; Messrs Cooper and Co. having entered a great number, both for competition and exhibition only. . Gladiolas, phloxes, marigolds— French and African — pansies, antirrinhiums, &c, &c; were also all largely represented, and each first-class of their kind. Twelve blooms of pansies shown by Mr E. Miller, and six from Miss Sinclair's garden, were about perfection, large, velvet leaved, and rich tinted to a degree not easily eclipsed. Mr J. Morton was, as usual, most successid in every department where nice taste, and skill in arrangement was requisite, and gained the first prize for both table bouquet and hand bouquet, as also forthe floral device. This latter was in reality a work of art, and gained unconditional approbation. It represented a four light standard cLandilier, surmounted by a crown royal, the whole being most artistically syorked with flowers of every hue most appropriately arranged. The second prize in this class was awarded to an exhibit which might with more propriety have been called a model for a shrubbery, being in reality a very tasteful little piece of groundwork, in which a square section of land was cut up most symmetrically into a variety of curiously shaped plots, the centre being occupied with a miniature fountain which was kept playing during the evenino-. Amongst amateurs in this class, Mr E. Miller, Mr J. E. Stewart, and Miss Sinclair, were the successful competitors, all of whom gained prizes for bouquets ; the latter gentlemen being the only exhibitor of a floral device by amateurs, and we must say that his effort ou this occasion was immeasurably inferior to his former achievements, a fact accountable for on the grounds that an assiduous attentions to his duties as a member of Committee monopolised most of his spare time. Passing on to the fruit table, we observe that the exhibits are limited in number, but all of very high excellence, the apples' especially being fine, full grown fruit. Mr Abram Watson showed some very fine cooking apples, as 'did- also Mr. Waugh, from Mr Calder's orchard. Mr J. E. Stewart, and Mr A. Watson, taking

first places with the article fit for dessert, in their respective sections. Some magnificent peaches shown by Mr Blacklock, and also by Mr D. M'Arthur and Miss Sinclair, showed what can be done, even in: the open garden, where efficient shelter is provided. We mustnot omitto mention two very interesting objects in this class, one was a little dwarf apple tree, exhibited by Mr T. Swale of Long Bush, not exceeding eighteen inches in height and yet bearing three very large, well formed applesonly a portion of its years fruit, some having been but recently blown off— the other a very fine apple grown by Mr M. Scott, of Otautau, from a seedling tree, the tree being now seven years old and having borne fruit this year for the first time. Neither must we forget a basket of excellent fruit exhibited by Mr Blacklock, as also one by Miss Sinclair, a sample of desert apples by Mr Howard, and some jars of excellent jam by Mr Lawrence. We must now notice, rather hastily,the vegetable department, in which nearly every article was of the most gigantic proportions. Mr Birrell and Mr Friskin showed each some field turnips of immense size and fine shape, showing very good breeding. The same may be said of the garden turnips exhibited, which were all excellent, as also of the potatoes,_ of which there were a great many varieties. Most of the samples of this tuber were evidently selected for their superiority |of quality rather than with a view to great bulk — they were however, all large enough — with one remarkable exception in a sample sent in by Mr D. Eoss, consisting of four or five of the biggest and uggliest red potatoes we ever saw. The cabbage and kail tribe generally, were in great force and of superb quality, as were also the beans and peas of sundn varieties. Three roots of parsley exhibited by Mr E. Millar, Messrs Cooper and Co., and Miss Sinclair, far surpassed anything of the kind we ever before witnessed, and were awarded prizes in the order named. Some splendid stalks of rhubarb were shown by Mr Birrell, and Mr Broad ; and some very promising mangolds and beets, by Mr Hamilton of Mortons Mains. The onions far surpassed any shown on previous occasions; those shown by Mr Birrell and Mr Buchanan being remarkably fine large hard bulbs. Messrs Cooper and Co. showed a fine collection of salads, especially cucumbers, which were remarkably well grown. Mr J. E. Stewart showed a shock of oats and another of wheat, each remarkable for their good quality, but more so as being each the produce of a single grain. The oats, growing from one root, comprised thirty stalks or heads, bearing 6000 grains, and not long ago 10,000 grains, but the balance had been blown off by th late high winds; the rip of wheat comprised 28 heads, bearing 1358 grains, a wonderful increase certainly. In cereals the show was very poor, there being in fact no competition. Messrs Hay Brothers, however, showed some very fine samples of grain, also one i of flour aud another of oatmeal both, of j course, of their own make. Mr E. Hamilton also showed a fair sample of wheat. A sample of sandy oats and one of field peas, from Mr Laing's farm, Waimatuku, were both good; the latter were especially admired by judges; some Scotch tares exhibited by Cooper and Co. were also worthy of notice. Mr J. Stuart, Waikivi, took a first pritfe with a very creditable sample of perennial rye grass seed. Barley was conspicuous by its absence, there not being a single grain shown. Of fche dairy department little need be said. There was exhibited by Messrs Cochran, Granger and Blackwood a stand of as fine cheese as any one could wish to look at, showing what can be done in this article by our settlers ; but of competition there was none, nor was there another exhibitor. There was also a noticeably poor show of butter : not one of the samples shown, with one exception, was worthy of a prize at all, and might be easily surpassed any day by a pat purchased at any grocer's shop in town. The exception we have made is in favor of the powdered butter which gained the first prize, which was really very good, sweet, clear, and firm, and just nicely salt. On the same table with the butter were a couple of loaves, sent in by Mr Bobertson of the Three Bells bakery,, manufactured from ; provincial flour. The. bread was. rather darker in than ; that baked, of Australian floiuybut otherwise was quite

sweet and wholesome. A plate and box of honey, in the comb, exhibited by Mr E. Miller, had amost lucious and tempting appearance, totally irresistable to some of the boys present, and was very-, well flavored. The combs in the box were especially worthy of remark being, just in the condition in which they were left by their busy little builders, the box itself being an attache to the hive which can be removed at pleasure, without in any way interfering with the operations or comfort ofthe inmates. During the two days of the exhibition the weather was of the most boisterous character, and had a very pernicious effect on the receipts taken at the door, the visitors at no time being anything like so numerous as they have been on previous occasions ; still, in the evenings a goodly assemblage^ Hied the ball, amongst whom were a large number of gaily dressed ladies, whose presence added most pleasingly to the tout ensemble of the scene. At these times the effect produced byi the conjunction of so many pleasurable elements was .animated and charming in the extreme. The rich profusion of gorgeous flowers and foliage, the clusters of luscious fruits,, the sparkling of brilliant eyes, the beaming of pretty and happy faces, the merry chatter and laughter of the throng, blended with jthe inspiriting strains of the piano and violin, and all bathed in a flood of purest light, rendered the scene a by no means imperfect realisation of the realms of Titania. As a matter of constitutional usage we must wind up our remarks by an allusion to the dinner, customarily given to the judges and committee on these occasions. We cannot better compliment Host Jones on the success of his efforts, than by saying that the. spread he had prepared for his guests was quite equal in its way to that on the. tables in the Theatre Eoyal .in theirs, the viands and liquors being all of the very best, and in ample profusion. The chair was occupied by the VicePresident, Wm. Cochran, Esq., Mr J. E. Stewart oecapying the other seat of honor. After the~ more substantial part ofthe repast had been_disposed of,vfche usual'loyal toasts were given, followed by others more pertinent to the occasion, such as the Judges, the Committee^the Competitors, the Press, &c, &c. ; all of which were duly and appropriately responded to. We cannot conclude without according our meed of praise to the committee and their indefatigable secretary. Those gentlemen have had a most arduous duty to perform. That ihey have been eminently successful is the surest criterion that they have been earnest and zealous. The judges also did their work well and seem to have given almost universal satisfaction. We trust to see many simnar exhibitions, and that the efforts of the society may always eventuate as auspiciously.