TARANAKI POULTRY SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8146, 2 July 1906, Page 2

TARANAKI POULTRY SOCIETY.

NOTES ON THE EXHIBITS. L:ghorns were well represented, cockerels being one of the strongest e asses entered. The winning cock was Mr A. Montgomerie's North Island champion of last year, a fine bird. In hens there were many admirers of the second prize bird in preference to the first prize-taker, on account of its superior pencilling, whilst it also appeared a better type, if anything. The first prize bird excelled in head piece, and there was little to choose between them. Brown Leghorn pullets were a splendid class, the wmner being found in Mr A Montgomerie's exhibit, which was awarded the North Island championship. This was a good even bird, rich in hackle, and having good lobe and comb. The second bird ran her closely, but lacked condition. The Game birds were equal to anything m the colony. The black and red varieties shewed well. Here again fanciers questioned the judge's award, fancying the third bird in the cockerel class, whioh was a good exhibit, with short, hard feather. Mr G. G. Boston's Duckwing Game hen, the best Game bird in the show, was a splendid specimen of her breed. Indian Game, a big class, was only fair in quality. Dorkings were poorly shown, and were nothing above the average. Faverolles, few in number, were nevertheless a good class. Orpingtons \ferc fair. The best bird was Mr S. Teed's, the winner of the society's prize last year; a good specimen, but somewhat loose in the feather, and of the oldfashioned type. Mr Teed was very successful in this, his fancy breed. Plymouth Rocks furnished a good exhibit, the winning cock and hen both being good specimens, though the latter was somewhat narrow. Houdans and Polish, always a small line, were only fair in quality. The Wyandottes con-1 tained some good birds, including the' well-known " King Dick," Captain Hood's champion cock bird, with an unbeaten record to date This year, however, after 24 victories, hs has hi>.d to stand down, being beaten by his own son, a magnificent bird, also the property of Captain Hood, and probably the best in the colony in this strain. " King Dick," on account of his ago, is "showing the white foather" in the tail, and has to rest content with second honors. The Captain's first prize Wyandotte cockerel will take some beating as an adult bird. Auconas were poor. Mrs Burgess showed some splendid Minorcas, her Black Minorcas taking the specials for the best Minorca and for the best cockerel in the show. He has a good head piece, comb, and lobe, and is sound in color, altogether a beautiful bird. Coming to White Leghorns, some quality was shown, including last year's winner in the hens at Palmerston North. Weak knees placed her out of the running this year. The best Leghorn, and the best pullet in the show, was Mr G. E. J Evans' white pullet, a truly fine bird that outclassed the rest. Buffs were a 1 poor class. Spanish and Andalusians 1 were shown together, and many old friends welcomed the Black Spanish back again, Hatnburgs called for no special mention, and Bantams can be ' similarly disposed of. Rouen ducks ' were the finest classes in the show, Mr 1 Geo. R. Croll's (Wnitara) being almost 1 perfect specimens. The drake won the special for the best drake in the 1 show, and also the North Island championship, l'ekins and Buff Orpingtons were good classes. Indian Runner ducks were only fair on the whole, the best being those shown by Mr C. L. Bridgos (Aranioho). Selling classes included somo birds, notably the Leghorn trio, that would earn a front place in the open classes. Pigeons were not represented as they should have been. Taranaki has as good " Magpies " and " tumblers " as any | place in New Zealand, yet the show . had none of them, In working honiers alone was a good display made, and here the quality was a credit to the exhibitors. This class showed a wonderful improvement. Mr Johnstone had some difficulty in placing the birds. Mr B. W. Dixon exhibited the best . working homer in the show, Mr S. E. ] Pipe's blue chequered ccck (last year's winner) running close. The best pigeon , in the show was Mr T. W. Francis' Magpie cock. Tumblers included a good many birds which were not in show condition. There was nothing special in canaries, the judge branding them as a mediocre lot.