SECOND GRAND ANNUAL EXHIBITION.

Southland Times, Issue 1066, 2 December 1868, Page 3

SECOND GRAND ANNUAL EXHIBITION.

♦ — The very marked success attending the first Show of the above Society caused the second one to be looked forward to with much interest, which became more and more lively as the day for the important event approached. For the past eight or ten days the weather has been of the most boisterous character, and as but little improvement in this respect had taken place up till Wednesday night, fear 3 were entertained that the exhibition would be less successful than was formerly anticipated, as wet weather and bad roada would not only prevent the arrival of a large number of exhibits, but would deter a great many from visiting the yards, and otherwise damp and deaden the whole affair. Fortunately, however, on Thursday morning, 26th inst.—the day on which the show was held — the clouds broke up a little, and allowed the sun to show himself occasionally, only a few light showers falling durir^ the day. By 10 o'clock the whole of the exhibits were in their proper places, and shortly theieafter the judges commenced their labors. A large number of spectators were also present during the adjudication, most of them, of course, persons directly interested in agricultural pursuits; the bulk oi ordinary spectators prefering to wait till 1 o'clock, when the price of admission would be J less. To those who had not previously visited the grounds, the extent and substantial character of the yards afforded a pleasing surprise j many remarking that although they had visited most of the great shows both in the mother country and in the colonies, they had never seen a more commodious or better adapted enclosure. After one o'clock, the crowd inside increased greatly, and must have considerably exceeded that of last year, when it was estimated that over a thousand persons were present. Approaching the yards from Spey-street, visitors on foot were admitted by a doorway facing the street. The entrance for exhibits and horsemen was on the northern face of the square, and notwithstanding the heavy rains and extra traffic, was in very good order. Entering the enclosure by this gate the cattle stalls were ranged round to the left, running from the entrance to the corner, down the whole of the eastern side, and part way along the lower Bide. On the right hand as you enter were ranged the pig pens, then the poultry, next a commodious shed, in the corner, for agricultural produce. The booth for refreshments occupied the upper part of the western wall, then stands for horses, and from that, sheep pens round to the cattle, the row being doubled, with a passage between, along the southern side. In the centre was a large ring in which the horses and quiet cattle were exhibited in turn. The implements were r&nged anywhere convenient. Taking the exhibition as a whole it may be fairly considered as equal to that of last year. In some respects it was, no doubt, inferior, but in others it was as decidedly superior. In bof-h classes of Entire Horses there was a better turn out this year than at the first Show; there being six draught stallions against four last year, and three thorough-breds against two. The show of mares in tbe heavy classes was also quite equal to the previous occasion. In drvught gcluings there was a falling off in numbers, but the quality was fully up to the mark. The young stock was also very good, though not numerous. In class six, best 2-year old filly, there was only one entry, but the judges rightly awarded it a first prize; 't was certainly the finest animal of the horse kind on the ground. In class 11.—thoroughbred mares or fillies, there were no less than eight competitors—all animals worthy of being shown. The fact that such a number of fine mares of this description could be turned out this year, against three last year—only one of which was worth looking at—shows that attention is being paid to breed on both sides—the dam as well as the sire. The judges seemed to have considerable difficulty in placing the 2nd and 3rd in this class. First honors were easily carried off by a splendid mare recently imported from Tasmania. The roadsters made a very good show and puzzled the judges for a long time. Of ponies there were six, all pretty things. Those placed Ist and 2nd were, however, so clearly entitled to the position given them that less time was taken up with this class. Only three harness horses wore shown, but they were all splendid animals Turning from horses to cattle, there was manifestly a great falling off in several classes, noticably those under the head of extra stock, of which there were but few. This defect, however, B was more than counter-balanced by the increase in number, and improvement in quality, observable in the two most interesting classes of cows—the Ayshire's and the short-horns—in both of which there was a very fine turn out, as there was also of fat bullocks. Passing on to sheep we may dismiss them with a few words, by saying that pens of as fine sheep were shown as could be seen anywhere. Leisters and Longwools mustered in greatest force, but there was also a very good lot of Merinos on the ground, entered by Messrs M'Phcrson & Co., from a shipment of R, Q. Remode's celebrated Tasmanian flock, recently imported here. In the two former classes Messrs Alex. Smith, of One Tree Point, Sutton Bros., Wright's Buah, and the New Zealand and Australian Land Company were the principal winners. The Rams aud Ewes Bhown by Mr Smith, in the Leicester class, were splendid animals, with immense fleeces on them, as were also those of the Company's and Mr Grieve. In other longwooled breeds, the Messrs Sutton Bros, shewed some splendid sheep, and were very closely pushed by the Company's exhibits.

In Pigs, the entries were comparatively limited, and tb c exhibits were principally of the small breed. The quality of all the animals shown was, however, such as to make amends -. for want of numbers. The feathery tribe must also be passed with slight remark. This department was a new feature in the exhibition, and one which attracted a very great deal of attention. All classes were well represented — except one or two — and the birds, especially the different varieties of barndoor fowls, were of rare beauty. Agricultural produce — also a branch added since last show — was represented by a very good display of Butter and Cheese. Of the former, there were some excellent samples, much superior to an y thing we have seen at any of the former competitions for dairy produce. Of cereals or root crops, there were of course none, owing, to the season of the year. It is satisfactory to say that although there was a considerable* crowd on the ground, a great many spirited horses being led about, numbers of other animals being driven backwards and forwards, and, worse than all, a number of people foolishly steeple-chasing and galloping about at racing pace, no accident of a serious nature occurred. One man got slightly hurt by ahorse which he was leading — in the class for geldings — the animal reaving and striking him with its forefoot on the head, and another man was knocked over by one of the hurdle jumping gentlemen, but fortunately neither of them are likely to suffer much. All who have had. any part in the arrangements of the Show must feel great satisfaction at the result of their labors. It is to be hoped that the event of 1869 may come off not less successfully, and that in the interim some practical results may be developed. [We understand that during the day, about 2 o'clock, the members of committee, the judges, and several friends, adjourned to the booth for lunch. We regret, however, we are unable to give a report of what then transpired, not having been favored with an invitation to be present, nor being aware that such a tiling was to take place until it was nearly over, but we learn that the usaal appropriate toasts were duly proposed and honored.] The subjoined is the : — . LIST OE PRIZES. HORSES. DBATJGHT HOBSES. Judges — Messrs J Henderson, J M'lntosh, and Wm Keith. Class. 1. Best Entire Horse, 3 years old and upwards.—lst prize, silver medal, value £6 ; 2nd ditto, silver medal, value £3 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate; 6 entries — Ist, Wm Birchall, Long Bush, "Emperor" ; 2nd ,H M'Lean, Wallacetown, " Southorne " ; 3rd, D M'Farlane, Gummie's Bush, " Clydesdale Hero " „ a . 2. Best Entire Colt, 2 years old, nnd not exceeding 3 years.— lst prize, silver medal, value £3 ; 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 3 entries (2 shown)— lst, New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Robert Hamilton, Morton Mains, Manager ; 2nd, John Hamilton, Forest Hill. 3. Best Entire Colt, 1 year old.— lst prize, £2; 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate; 3 entries (2 shown)— lst, William Birchall, Long Bush ; 2nd, James Wilson, Waianiwa. DBAUGHT MABES. I 4. Best Brood Mare, 3 years old and upwards, apparently in foal, or with foal at foot. — Ist prize, silver medal, value £3 j 2nd ditto, £1; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 5 entries — Ist, New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Robert Hamilton, Morton Mains, Manager ; 2nd, D Warnock, Seaward Bush j 3rd, T Bath, Gunimie's Bush. 5. Best Veld Mare, any age. — Ist prize, £2; 2nd ditto, £1; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 6 entries— lst, J Millar, Wallacetown ; j 2nd, W Birchall, Long Bush ; 3?d, James j Wilson, Waianiwa. 6. Best two-year old filly.— lst prize, £2 ; - 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 1 entry— lst, New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Robert Hamilton, Morton Mains, Manager. 7. Best one-year old filly.— lst p:dze, £1 ; 2nd ditto, 10s ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate; 5 entries (4 shown)— lst, Sutton Bros., Wright's Bush; 2nd, Thomas Marshall, Roslin Bush; 3rd, Andrew Kinross, Myross Bush. GELDINGS. 8. Best Draught Q-elding.— lst prize, silver medal, value £3 ; 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 6 entries — Ist and 2nd, New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Robert Hamilton, Morton Mains, Manager ; 3rd, Roche Bros., Invercargill. THOBOTJGHBBED HOBSES. Judges— Messrs J M'lntosh, J. Wilson, and A Cload. 9. Best Entire, any age.— lst prize, silver medal, value £6 ; 2nd ditto, silver medal, value £3; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate; 4 entries (3 shown) — Ist W H Nurse's "Professor"; 2nd, Mr Printz's "Young Panic " ; 3rd, Mr Morison's " Bendigo." 10. Best Entire Colt, 2 years old. — Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 2 entries — Ist Thomas Barclay, Long Bush ; 2nd George Lowry. 11. Best Mare or Filly. — Ist prize, silver medal, value £3 ; second ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 8 entries — Ist, Christopher Basstian ; 2nd, Adam Sutherland ; 3rd, New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Robert Hamilton, Morton Mains, Manager. 12. Best Filly, 2 years old.— lst prize, £2 ; 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate.— No entries. BOADSTEBS. 13. Best Roadster.— lst prize, silver medal, value £3 ; 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 7 entries — Ist, Mr Spence, Myross Bush ; 2nd, Alex Mitchell, Morton Mains ; 3rd, J Dalgleish, Invercargill. 14. Best Pony, under 14 hands. — Ist prize, silver medal, value £3 ; 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 6 entries — Ist, Edward Davies; 2nd, R W Williams; 3rd, Mr Spence, Myross Bush. 15. Best Light Harness Horse.— lst prize, silver medal, value £3 ; 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate ; 3 entries — Ist, James Harvey, Invercargill ; 2nd, John M'lntyre, Riverton; 3rd, William Cochran, Invercargill.