Cat Show at the Crystal Palace.

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 32, 12 January 1884, Page 7

Cat Show at the Crystal Palace.

There Was a cat show at the Crystal fcalace last month; The show dccupied the greater part of the naVe of the palace, under an awning decorated with flags. The entries numbered 333, divided intd fifty classes, several of which were far cats belonging to working men. There were three mdne'y prizes of £1 10 sand. 5s respectively} and also nine silver 1 medals. The two silver' medals for the 1 best niale 1 and the best female short-haired cats were both won by Mrs Leej whd exhibited two imported Siairiese cats, one aged four" and the other five ydars. These Asiatic cats* with their black faces, sleepy-lobkirig violet eyes and fawn-coloured bodies, lying updri light blue satin cushions^ attracted not a little atten tion . Amongst the bats that attracted attention may be mentioned one named Zulu, which was jet black all over, with two perfectly white kittens. A fat red tabby named Bob was much caressed. It was announced that although he had attained the advanced age of 11 years, he could tUrn the scale for 10 pdunds. He tfas ticketed as the winner of 17 first prizes, and Miss L; Hammond, the owner* annexed to him the" fancy value of £2,000. Another favourite was a white Persian, Mistletoe, reclining in" a most

luxurious fashion on a light-blue cushion, a Veteran of thirceun yeurs, and the proud Winner of lorty-six first and sixteen special prizes. A tabby longhaired cat, immed Pompey, thrwo years old, made himself conspicuous by looking steadfastly upwards for several minutes at a time, and then gnashing his teeth and whining in a piteous manner. Speculation was rife as to whether tl h was giief at being away from home and amid strtnge Surroundings. But, the conclusion ultimately come to by the observing was that it all arose from chagrin at not being able to get at some flies that occasionally settled outside the bars overhead.