THIRD ANNUAL GRAND SHOW OF THE SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

Southland Times, Issue 1179, 10 December 1869, Page 2

THIRD ANNUAL GRAND SHOW OF THE SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

This Society may now be considered as a permanent institution. The experience of three years has fully established its popularity, and demonstrated its usefulness. Its annual exhibitions are looked forward to, not only by those immediately interested in the pursuits ifc is intended to foster and encourage, but by all classes of the inhabitants, who anticipate the periodical return of show-day with unmixed feelings of pleasure. , Of all occasions for promiscuous assemblages of the people, probably none are so free from objectionable features as gatherings of this kind ; certainly none are better adapted to afford innocent and healthy enjoyment to the ho'iday-makers, or more conducive to the materi il prosperity of the community. The friendly competition between the exhibitors stimulates a commendable rivalry which must be productive of good results. The public award of prizes for superiority in any article is a gratifying acknowledgment of skill, care, and perseverance on the part of the producer, and is coveted, not on account of its money value, but as the symbol of that honor and distinguishinenfc which ever attaches to success in any laudable ambition. Bat while the victors are thus incited to maintain their honorable position, and to aim at yet greater excellence, it must not be supposed that the less fortunate are in any way dishearfcered by temporary discomfiture ; oa the contrary, the hope of gaining laurels on some future occasion is generally a sufficient stimulus to further effort. Defeat in most instances only prompts to increased exertion, as is evidenced by the fact that the non-success-ful competitor at one show often comes off victorious at the next. In a young I country like this, an occasional muster of the choice products of any district exercises a wider influence for good than may appear on the surface. At this pi*esent time of local depression, such a display is peculiarly beneficial. It is impossible that any one could have viewed the rare collection of fine animals, dairy produce, implements, and local manufactures massed yesterday on the eastern town belt, without feeling reinvigorated. Such tangible evidences of the capabilities of the province, in that pursuit which is the primary element of national wealth, could not but impart fresh hope to the observer, and restore his confidence in a future of substantial prosperity. On the whole, the show of this year will bear favorable comparsion with either of its predecessors. In some classes there was a noticeable falling off in the number of exhibits, but in most cases the decrease in entries was fully compensated by the superior excellence of those shown. In other instances, particularly in that of horses, there was a marked increase. Class 1, draught entires, was well represented, six fine animals being led into the ring at the call of the bellmau, and so equally matched were the ponderous competitors, that the judges had considerable difficulty in deciding their relative merits. " Emperor," however, maintained the distinguished position awarded him last year, Southorne and Major taking 2nd and 3rd place respectively, and a powerful looking young ehesnufc, belonging to Mr Rice, of .River! ton, receiving high commendation. In class 2, Mr Rice's horse, "Lincoln Hero " again entered the arena, in company with three others, and

carried off first honors from his more youthful compeers ; another " Hero " Bircliall*3 7 foeirxpj second, and. Paget's Marquis 3rd. Objection was raised to the Kiverton champion on the point of age, but as he had not quite attained his third year, he was ultimately allowed to compete. Class 3 had only one representative, but he was a good one, and was awarded a first prize. The show of heavy brood mares which followed was asplendid sight, the circle being occupied by no less than seven fine dams, with their playful little foals. " Flower," a splendid mare, the property of Mr J. C. Vallanee, was justly awarded first place, the mares of Messrs Mollison, I Shepherd, and H. Wilson, folio wing as named. Veld mares also put in in strong force, seven firmly knit little workers coming within the ropes at call. In this class Mr B. Coupland won Ist, the New Zealand and Australian Lmd Company 2nd, and Mr D. Wallace 3rd prize. Seven entries had been made for class 6, but only four came on the ground. First prize was given to the New Zealand and Australian Land Company's mare, the same that took 2nd in the preceding class, and 2nd to Mr H. M l O;ie's. Mr A. M'Kenzie's animal was highly commended, but he was not satisfied with this, and entered a protest against the winner of first place on the ground of over age. Five draught geldiugs, shown in class 9, were all superior horses, and gave the judges some trouble. Thoroughbred sires made a poor show as regards numbers, only two coming up, but both horses were splendid stallions. Mr Salmon's " Croydon " gained first prize, j and Mr Thompson's "Bay Camden "2nd. Bj some accident, however, the ticket intended for Croydon was handed to the groom of his rival, and as he refused to give it up, and sauced the stewards and judges somewhat, both were taken from him, and Camden was timied out of the yard. A very handsome carriage entire," England Still," recently imported by Mr. Pritchard, was awarded a first prize as extra stock. Thoroughbred mares were infinitely better represented this year than formerly, there beiug five of them shown, all good. A pretty bay belonging to Mr T. Patterson was placed first, Pearce's chesnut 2nd, and Messrs Sutton Bros.' mare 3rd. Young blood stock made but a poor display, but the next clas*, roadsters, called in a perfect troop. There were fourteen of them, all handsome saddle horses, and mostly showing points of good breeding. Mr Campbell, Toi Tois, took first prize, with a very hardy-looking chesnut, Pantaloon, Mr Hill and Mr White following for second and third. Of light harness horses there was likewise a fine turn-oil^, ninefean, and much difficulty was experienced in dealing with their claims to rank. In cattle, shorthorns were in considerable number, about a score, and all were good. Mr Bell's cow took first prize, aa did also his heifer, in the three-year-old class. For bulls of any asfe, H. M'Lean got first. Hereford's and extra sbock did not muster strong, but a specimen of the polled Angua attracted considerable notice. In this division of the yard the pretfcy lutle Ayrshires formed the feature of attraction. In bulls, cows, and young stock there was a fair show. The contest, in most cases, lay between old antagonists — Messrs Waddell, Warnock, Rankin, and Hamilton. The sheep pens were well-filled, and held some magnificent specimen^. Messrs Smith of One Tree Poiut, and Sutton Bros., were the principal exhibitors of long-woolled, and Messrs Hill, M'Lean. and M'Kellar, of merinos. A hogget of the former class, shown by Messrs Sutton, eighteen months, old, with his first fleece on, attracted much notice for the quautity and quality of its wool. The porcine race was weak in numbers, but made up that deficiency by individual excellence. The poultry stand was rather bare, but showed several coops of good birds, including barndoor fowls, ducks, and turkeys. In the dairy produce shed there was a grand dis play of cheese, butter, and ha-ns. Under the head of Local Industries there were a large number of entries, comprising many articles deserving of more extended notice than can be afforded I them at present, — excellent simples of malt, leather, flax, candles, soap, &c, &c. Of the latter-mentioned commodity, a box had been sent from Dunedin, but the prize was properly awarded to that manufactured here by Messrs M'Leod and Sons, who are establishing an extensive trade in the article for woolwashing purposes, their make being found the most suitable. A number of implements engaged considerable attention during the day, several of which were deemed worthy of special prizes. It is worthy of notice that ail the three shows of the Association have been favored with delightful weather. On the present occasion the morning was a little threatening, but it soon brightened up and became warm and sunny. A smart breeze raised a good deal of dust about the streets, but inside the yard the green sward kept the atmosphere as cool and pleasant as possible. There was a large crowd of visitors, including a number of ladies, £63 3s 6d having been taken at the gates, and we have not heard of the slightest accident as having occurred to mar the pleasures of the day. A permanent Grand Stand had been built since last year, of a most substantial and roomy description, with bar and dining room beneath, and when we say that it was tenanted by Mr Smith of the Prince of Wales, it will be understood that the wants of a thirsty and hungry public were properly catered for. The following is the PEIZE LIST. class. DRAUGHT HORSES. Judges— Mr John Elliott, Bushy Park, Mataura, and Messrs John Russell, Invereargill, and J. Hay, Uiverfc on. Messrs Harvey and Findlay, attending 6ta wards. 1. Best Entire Horse, 3 years old and upwards — 6 entries — Ist prize, gold medal, value £6, Emperor, W Birchall, Long Bush; 2nd do, silver medal, value £3, Southorne, John

CLAS3. Mackintosh, Wallacetown ; 3rd do, honorary certificate, Major, George Reese, Invercargill. 2. Best Entire Colt. 2 years old, and not 6Xceeding 3 year3 — 4 entries— lst prize, silver medal, value £3, Lincoln Hero, Hugh Rice ; 2nd ditto, £1, Hero, W Birchall ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate, Marquis, W Pagett. 3. Best Entire Colt, 1 year oil— 2 entries— lst prize, £2, Samson, Wm Birchall ; no other Bhown. DRAUGHT MARES. 4. Beet Brood Mara, 3 years old and upwards, apparently in foal, or with foal at foot— 7 entries— lgt prize, silver modal, value £3, J 0 Vallanee ; 2nd ditto £l, Wm Mollison ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate, S Shepherd ; 4th ditto, honorable mention, if Wilson. 5. Best Veld Mare, any age— 7 entries— lst prize, £2, R Coupland ; 2nd ditto, £1, New Zealand and Australian Land Company ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate, D Wallace. 6. Best 3 years old Draught Mare — 7 entries — Ist prizi, £2, Ne.v Zjalani and Australian Lmd Company ; 2nd ditto, £1, R M'ftae ; commended, A. M'Kenzie. 7. Best two-year old Filly — No entries. 8. H ost one- year old Filly— 3 entries, 2 shown— Ist prize, £2, R M'Calluin ; 2nd ditto, A Steele GELDINGS. 9. Best Draught Gelding — 5 shown — Ist prize silver medal, *alue £3, J C Vallanee ; 2nd ditto, £1, New Zjaland and Australian Land Company ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate, W Dawson. THOROUGHBRED HORSES. 10. Best Entire, any age. — 3 entries — Ist prize, gold medal, value £6, Croydon, D Salmond ; 2nd ditto, silver medal, value £3, Bay Camien, W Thomson, afterwards withdrawn. 11. Best Entire Colt, 2 years old — Ist prize, £2 ; 2nd ditto, £1 ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate, No entries. 12. Best Mare or Fillv — 5 entries— lst prize, silver medal, value £3, T Patterson ; second ditto, £t, J Pearce ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate, Sutton Bros. 13. B>;st Filly, 2 years old— lst prize, £2 ; 2nd ditto, £L ; 3rd ditto, hoiorary certific ite. No entries. ROADS rER3. 14. Best Roadster — 16 entries, 14 shown— lst prize, silver medal, value £3, Jas Catnpb '11 ; 2nd ditto, £L, H Hill ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate, F White. 15. Best Pony, under 14 hands — 9 entries — Ist prize, silver medal, value £3, II Hamilton ; 2nd aitt_->, £1, W H Pearson ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate, G Smith. 16. Best Light Harness Horse— l 9 entries— lst prize, silver medal, value £3, R Hamilton ; 2nd ditto. £1, W Pagett ; 3rd ditto, honorary certificate, J Stock.