NIGHTCAPS NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 21088, 21 May 1930, Page 15

NIGHTCAPS NEWS

THE WINTER SHOW.

COMMENTS BY JUDGES.

(From Our Correspondent.)

Following are the comments of the judges in connection with the exhibits at the Winter Show:

The judge of the baking remarked that the section was quite a good one, and the exhibits were above the standard of former years. The jams and jellies were very good, and taken on the whole it was a very fine exhibition.

Mr. G. Meek, who judged the roots and Vegetables, grain and seeds, said the season was against the giowing of vegetables, having been wet up till New Year, and dry afterwards. The leeks, parsnips and exchallots Were good, and there was an outstanding led cabbage, while the carrots were good. The collection also was a very creditable display. Some excellent turnips were on view, but in this section exhibitors should not show ugly bulbs, but should bring forward medium-sized specimens, as they cut better. In order to foster an agricultural bias amongst the children, Mr. Meek made the suggestion that they should be encouraged to collect and enter sheafs of the,various grasses, which would be properly named, and this would make them acquainted with the different varieties and be an education to them. Some good potatoes were on show, but these were not an outstanding feature, and there was room for a lot of improvement in this section.

The judge of the needlework and art (Mrs. G. Meek) said the work as a whole was splendid, but deprecated the fact that there was a paucity of entries in some of the sections. Some of the work lost a prize owing to being entered in the wrong class. The eiderdown quilt was well worked, but there was no competition, and there was some work for exhibition only which was deserving of special mention. Mrs. Meek said she had officiated in this capacity several times, but the entries forward this year were as good as any she had judged. Mr. Baxter, who judged the poultry, stated that on the whole it was a good show. Some fair birds were forward in game, but there was nothing outstanding. In the Leghorn classes the winning bird was quite fit to hold its own against any competition. Exhibitors should take a little more care in the preparation of their birds, and if more attention was paid to cleanliness and other details,-some of these would be further up the prize-list. Such as it was, however, the birds gaining the awards were good specimens of the breeds they represented. As it was so early in the season it was hardly expected that they would be much better, and a month or so later some of the nonwinning exhibits would be greatly improved. There were a few really outstanding birds in the Leghorns, and he was pleased to see the Brown Leghorn was coming into its own again. A few specimens in Rhode Island Reds, Black Leghorns, Black Minorcas, Wyandottes and Orpingtons were forward, and the championship in Light Sussex was a verj’ creditable exhibit, the w’inning hen being a good specimen and well prepared. The cockerel (runner-up), was also a good bird. The novice class and children’s pets were a very fine lot. Speaking of the duck classes in general Mr. Baxter stated that exhibitors should make an endeavour to secure more uniformity in colour and markings. There was a very good entry in Pekin Bantams, and a nice bird was forward in the Old English Game class. The Bluff Pekins were also good. The entries forward were the best seen at country shows for . a long time, and several specimens would compare favourably with those in larger shows and probably be in the prize-list Commenting on the pigeon and canary section Mr. P. Lindsay said there was a good lot of birds in the Homer section. The winner of the championship for 275 miles or over was a very fine hen, being nice-bodied and in good condition. The cock which secured the special was also a good bird. In the canary classes some good mulers were forward, and were singing well. Some good birds were exhibited in the Fancy Pigeons, and it was unfortunate there was not more competition. The Fantails and Tumblers Were good. Mr. Featherstone, judge of the school work, stated that in the original freehand drawing the first prize was humorously treated, and was good clean work. The second was good, but faulty painting. In the original design based on flower or leaf form, the first dozen were difficult to place, as they formed a very even lot. In the pencil drawing, sketch of a building, for forms I and 11., the first and second prize-winners were very good attempts and showed great promise. In the ink sketch, own'choice, the frist prize was very good work. The two first prize-winners (equal) in the ink sketch, land or seasepae, were outstandingly good. Poultry Fanciers' Reunion.

Some 20 poultry enthusiasts assembled in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Nightcaps, on Friday evening for the annual reunion, when a very enjoyable time was spent. In the unavoidable absence of the president (Mr W. Excell), Mr J. 0. Clapp presided, and in his opening remarks said it was unfortunate Mr Excell was not present with them to express his appreciation of the manner in which outside exhibitors had supported their show. The society seemed to have their confidence, as they returned vear after year, and the members should take this as a great compliment. In proposing the toast of “The Judges,” Mr F. Boyle stated that the society had been very fortunate in securing good judges every year, and he took the opportunity to extend a hearty welcome to Messrs Baxter and'Lindsay. In reply Mr Baxter remarked that he was very pleased when they issued an invitation to him to go to Nightcaps, as outside of Dunedin this was probably the only place he had not officiated as judge. He paid a very high tribute to the work of Mr J. 0. Clapp as steward in this section, remarking that he was no novice, and the society was very fortunate in possessing a man of his ability. Speaking of the show Mr Baxter said it compared very favourably with others. Some splendid birds were forward, and as fine a lot of Sussex were exhibited as he had seen anywhere. Taking the exhibits as a whole the birds were fit to compete at any show. He remarked, howcv- that if owners did not spare the necessarv time in washing and preparing their birds for exhibition they eculd not expect to be on the same plane as those who did, and this would be of material benefit to them. The' ducks as a whole were either too slim or thin for utility purposes. The White Runners were getting mottled and must have clean yellow bills. The Fawn Runners were not distinctive enough in markings, and exhibitors were not breeding them on the right lines. The chairman was entrusted with the toast of ‘The Visitors,” and said if it were not for outside competition their show would be a verv tame affair, as it assisted to maintain the interest and keenness from year to year. Ever since the inception of the show distant visitors had patronized it with their entries and the members appreciated their action in doing so The speaker thanked Mr Cussen, the Government Poultry Instructor, for coming along at short notice. They had the benefit, of his practical experience for’ a number of years, and he was one of the most capable men in the feathered world. Mr Clapp trusted they ■would take advantage of his Presence and assist him to carry out the work of the poultry industry. Mr Skene was a comparative newcomer to the district, but an advertising section always added interest to a show and they were pleased to have the visitors with them that evening. In reply Mr Cussen said he was pleased to have the opportunity of attending the show and congratulated the sociefv and exhibitors on the exhibition put before the public. He was safe in saying that they were the best birds ever seen in Nightcaps, and they certainly had imnroved. They should aim to keep purity of blood, and to be careful in breeding. The Leghorns were getting a little on the small side, and the runner ducks were a little too fine. They should keep the size up without getting into coarseness, consider type first, and put the furnishings on after. If any of them required his advice he would be only too pleased to assist them to the best of his Mr Skene, president of the Invercargill Club, said he would be only too pleased to pay a return visit to Nightcaps, as the

poultrymen were a broad-minded, cordial lot of fellows, this going a long way to ensure the success of the show. He was of the opinion that the various societies should run advertising stands, and charge for them. This would be of great assistance financially. If the large firms were approached he thought they would be only too pleased to donate specials and this outside assistance would be beneficial. On behalf of the poultry 7 breeders from Invercargill he thanked them very much. In proposing the toast of “Successful Exhibitors” Mr Cussen congratulated’both the successful and the unsuccessful entrants, remarking that if it were not for competition New Zealand would not occupy the position it did to-day. One thing he would like to mention was that some of the birds had not been washed while others did not have any training for the show. If birds were handled before entering some of them would come higher in the prize-list. It would also make a wonderful difference and be of great help to the judge. The toast was responded to by Messrs J. Nutter, Humphreys and S. Brumby.

Mr Skene proposed the toast of ‘The First Exhibitors,” remarking that it was verv refreshing to see them coming along with their exhibits year after year. Mr Bennett replied. Song and story assisted to make the time pass pleasant.lv.