NOTES UPON THE DUNEDIN SHOW.

Southland Times, Issue 1687, 10 January 1873, Page 2

NOTES UPON THE DUNEDIN SHOW.

(FKOM A CORRESPOIfDEITT.) The first exhibition under the auspices of the newly formed Ocago Pastoral and Agricultural Association, wan held upon Boxing Day, at the Forbury Park. The last Dunedin Society died a natural death about four years ago, and it seems to be the opinion of a good many that unless the newly-fledged one does not become a healthier chicken than it seemed at hatching, it will never reach maturity. Until there is railway communication from one end to the other of the province, it will be impossible to hold a provincial show in Dunedin, or any other town, at which the best stock in Otago will be shown. Stoekowners in Southland or the Oamaru districts will hardly risk^; the sending of their best stoekioverland or by steamer such a long distance, And if they do exhibit, it will only be such animals as they" may wish to dispose of in Dunedin. The show just held proved this, as, with the exception of sheep, the Dunedin show was simply a repetition of the Taieri show, held the previous week. I do not 836 why the Government should give a preference to Dunedin overall the other districts, and present it with £100 for prize money, as the show was a district one in everything but the name. Truly the Taieri farmers are blessed. As already mentioned, the show was held, not in Dunedin, but at the Forbury Park, a place, let roe inform strangers, nearly three miles from Dunedin, and as walking such a distance, through six inches of dust, would be anything but a pleasure, Mr Cabby's services had to be obtained at a cost of 4* out and in, and that added to the 2s 0d of gate money, made the cost 6* 6d — rather too much for tha show. Doubtless the Committee of the Association had their reasons for preferring Forbury Park to the Caledonian Grounda,or the South Recreation Grounds, but either of the latter would have suited the general public very much better. Probably the Committee have a friendlyfeeling towards the Forbury Park Company, and wished to give them a lift against dividend day ; but^be that as it may, it is to be hoped that suitable ground will be got much pearer town in another year. Had the show not been held upon a holiday, the takings at the gates would have been very small indeed ; but people must go somewhere on Boxing Day, and many of the Dunedinites went to the show for want of better amusement. The number of eutries exceeded 400 / a large proportion being for implements, colonial produce, &c., &c, and the competition in the stock classes was not at all what could be desired. Draught horses and hacks were considered the best show, a.id in the former, Taieri men were the principal competitors and prize-takers — the late Mr Nimmo's stock being ia the van as usual, followed by Charterer, Sterenson, Muir, &c. The Victorian Clydesdale entire, " Heather Jock," walked the course in his class ; " Jock" got the first at the Taieri also, and seems to be a great favorite in that district. The Clydesdale mares and fillies were very superior, and decidedly the best thing of the show. Had the - prize ones been put up at auction, some very fancy figures would have been reached, as there is a dead run upon that description of stock in New Zealand at present. Hacks were numerous and common. Shorthorns, very scarce and . ordinary, with little competition,— Mr Gow ol the Taieri, and Mr G. M. Bell (Taieri and Waimea), were prize-takert. Ayrshires were a poor show, and the cup fell to Mr Hannah without much trouble. Sheep of course had the lion's share of i the prize list> and were expected to have been tbe leading feature of the show. There were some very good animala exhibited, but competition was solimited that there was no opportunity for comparison, as it was all but a walk over ia each section. Mr Tolunie was the only exhibitor of merinoß, and consequently got all tbe prizes. Mr James Allan of the Taieri got it very much his own way in Leicesters, Sutton Brothers, of Southland, , in Lincolns,aud Dr Webster in Bonneya; in fact, so far as competition was concerned, the show was a failure, and, as I have already said, I do not r think a Dunedin show will bo much better until railway communication is in a> more forward state. Comparing this show with those held in tbe provincial towns, t ere were several of those which were superior to Dunedin, without any Government assistance. *< I had almost forgotten to say that there was a very fair display of imple- ' ments, but I did not notice anything so new or rare as to merit special attention.