COUNTRY COMES TO TOWN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 908, 27 February 1930, Page 1

COUNTRY COMES TO TOWN

Auckland’s Big Show Starts SHOP WINDOW OF THE PROVINCE SLEEK, mild-eyed cattle, fat sheep panting under the inconvenience of prime condition and heavy coats of wool, prancing horses in fine fettle and obviously alive to the importance of the occasion, and leather-lunged side-show “gpruikers.”. . . All the factors that go to make a successful show were present at the Epsom Showgrounds today when the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s 78th annual show was opened. Although primarily a farmers’ occasion, the Auckland Show is gradually being developed more and more as a public attraction. Novelties calculated to attract the general public are being added every year in furtherance of the association’s policy to attract as large a number of townspeople as possible in a happy combination of town and country.

With ideal weather conditions prevailing the prospects for a very successful show already seemed assured ■wher the exhibition opened this morning. An early start was made with the judging and by 10 o’clock all judging rings were operating in full swing. It was evident that efficient preparations had been carried out, the layout of the grounds and general organisation leaving little to be desired, the arrangement of the stock judging rings adjacent to the pens, in particular, being b big improvement upon former years. Emphasising the increased interest being shown in the show by the townspeople was the large increase in the trade exhibits. Farm machinery, for many years absent from agricultural shows, was present in strong force this morning, this section, dealing as it does with all the latest labour-saving devices for*farm work, being of particular interest to the agricultural community. Sideshow men were also present in strong force, and with merry-go-rounds and other amusements dear to the juvenile heart, a wide diversity of attractions was available for all. Although the bulk of the hunting events will not be held until tomorrow and the following day, a number of interesting competitions, including buckjumping and wild steer riding, provided the public present with interesting features in the main ring. FINE PEDIGREE STOCK

Prominent breeders from all parts of the province supported the sheep, cattle and pig sections, helping to make up one of the finest exhibitions of pedigree stock ever shown by the Auckland Association. Although the numbers of entries in most sections fell short of record figures, the general quality was exceptionally high, and compared favourably with that at any ether Dominion show during the past season. The exhibition was, in fact, a triumph for Auckland breeders, in as much that it showed clearly the progress made in recent years toward making and maintaining Auckland’s position as the leading pedigree stock breeding centre of the Dominion. Numerically, the Jersey section was the strongest in the show, with 133 entries, many exceptionally fine animals competing for North Island championship ribbons; well-known breeders such as W. H. Miers (Rotomna), A. E. Watkins (Takanini), G. R. Hutchinson fWharepapa), C. G. Aickin and 'W. H. Carter (Patumahoe) had entries forward. More entries from the Waikato might have been expected, but apparently the distance to the Hhowgrounds proved a handicap in the way of breeders from the southern part of the province.

Ayrshires did not make up a particularly strong class, only 28 entries coming forward. The quality was fair, but the section was not a particularly good advertisement as to the popularity of the breed in the Auckland district. Friesians were well represented by 111 entries from a comparatively wide range of breeders as far afield as the Upper Waikato. The general quality of the entries in this section was high, while a noticeable feature was the care and attention which seemed to have been given to “get-up” for the show. The section was a striking advertisement to a breed of heavy producers, and the prize-winners were particularly fine types of profitable milking animals. R. D. Duxfield (Horitiu) and the Ruakura State Farm were among the principal exhibitors in the Milking Shorthorn section. Entries numbered 64 and the general quality was well up to that to be seen in the Shorthorn sections at most of the bigger shows of the Dominion. The pig section was one of the most attractive in the show from the point of view of quality entries, although, here again, with the exception of the Large Whites, there was a rather lamentable of entries. Ruakura Staie Farm was a big exhibitor in this section. The Southdown breed was the most prominent in the sheep section, 65 entries coming forward. Although the range of exhibitors in the majority of the classes was not particularly high, the quality was good, as practically only the best breeders in the provinces had entries forward; considerable care and attention had been give nto the “get-up” of most of the entries. The fat classes were well supported, but entries here were below those of last year’s fixture, owing mainly to the fact that the show is being held later in the season when practically all the milk lambs have been sent away to the works. Mr. S. Knight, of Ongarue, commenting on the pigs, said they showed a considerable improvement, especially the Berkshire breed, the competition being very keen. The large classes and young sows had improved and the principal dealers as far as the Waikato were represented. Commenting on the champion, Mr. Knight said it was equal to any Canadian pig. Throughout the show the Britisn Berkshires had shown they were better than the Canadian pigs. There was always a certain amount of disappointment when these two breeds were judged together, he said, and to have two classes made of these would prove more satisfactory. CThe show prize-list appears on page 13.]