NEW PLYMOUTH POULTRY SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 184, 25 July 1908, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH POULTRY SHOW.

The Turn mi ki Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society's annual show opened yesterday at tile Drill Hall. The entries this year are not as large as formerly, the total being 223. In its palmy days the Society used to Juive from Mi) lo 700 birds staged. The downward movement, however, is not local, for practically every show in the .Dominion has experienced a falling-oil' in entries this year, W'anganui being a notable exception. The quality of the birds is well up to the average of pre-, vious .shows, but the judge gave it as liis opinion that the standard was not up to that shown, say, at Wanganui, although there were certain sections which would do anywhere. The quality compared favorably with shows of a similar size throughout New Zealand. A display of pigeons was a feature of the show, and the judge expressed himself in no unmeasured terms of praise concerning the show of homers. Air \V. Woodward, of Jlnllnral, was the judge. In conversation with our representative, he remarked that in the majority of the poultry classes the birds were presented in capital condition, special mention being deserved of the. whito Leghorns, whose owners ni'ust have taken inlinite pains. This Section- contained the best quality in the show, some' of the birds being fit to win in move aristocratic company. The best section amongst the llieavy breeds was comprised ill the black Orpingtons, in which were exhibits of excellent type and color, although the purple instead of the green sheen predominated. In the hen class was a bird which the judge described as a model Orpington, briinfiuli of type, set on nice short legs, anil compactly built, her owner being unfortunate in having her passed for a small showing of feathered leg. Several more otherwise line birds were passed for the same reason. Bull' Orpingtons were also a strong section. The winning cock and hen were selected as being well up to the standard points.■\\hite Orpingtons were also a good collection. This is rather a new variety wliieh is nuiking vast steps into favor, being fancied as a good combination of the table bird and egg producer. TDie Wyaudottes shown were an excellent illustration of the breed, and the judge expressed his pleasure at seeing so many birds of good quality shown, for this is a weak feature of several shows. The winning birds in three of the classes would do credit to any breeder, in the game Classes the birds were hardly up to the average, though the best Old jMiglisu game lien was picked oui by the judge as one of considerable merit. There was a small entry of Plymouth liocks, but the birds shown were of

good type, liicery barred. This is another breed which Mr. Woodward ex-

pects to see taking a big forward move in the near future. In the utility clashes tile birds shown were goou specimens, of the type required for egg ; production, but they might have been shown in better condition. ■ Although utility birds, they should be penned in soinctning like show form, not dirty as some uf these were. Special mention must be made of the show of pigeons, the homing classes being quite an exhibition in themselves. The ducks shown included several ■ of more than average merit, particularly the winning Indian Runners. Other breeds oi poultry represented were Minorcas, Black Leghorns, Brown Leghorns, Hamburg's, Bantams, AndaluSiaus, and some weninatchod trios.

In game Messrs. A. P. Lister, R. Davidson, and W. Boulton were the principal winners. The Langshaus' prizemoney went to visitors, Mr. C. H. Burnett (Fcilding) and Mrs. W, lleslop (Wanganui) taking most of the prizes. In black Orpingtons R. Davidson, of New Plymouth, showed the winning cock bird, Mr. Teed's ex-champion "Dick.'' Mr. C. L. Bridges,' bird was second in this class, but he won with, his hen. J. E. Cowell, of • Hawcni, showed the best cockerel, Mr. W. Scott (New Plymouth) second, and Mr. S. Teed third. Mr Teed took iirst and second in black pullets. McEwen Bros., New Plymouth, took two firsts, tjvo seconds, and a third in buff Orpingtons. Three iirst, two seconds, and a third fell to S. Teed in white Orpingtons. S. Oliver, Sentry Hill, took three, firsts and two specials in barred Plymouth Rocks, and S. Teed and A. Cosscy won in whites. \V. Hall, Lepperton, secured two lirsts, a second, and a third in golden Wyandottes. 11. Russell secured a lirst and a second, and J. Sparks one lirst and a special. W. Hall was again successful in the silver Wyandottes, the principal competition coming from Mrs. lleslop, of Wunganui. L. Dtittou won two tirsts with Partridge Wyandottes. J. Bennett, of New Plymouth, was successful in black Minorcas. G. E. J. Evans and A. J'. Loudon, of Wanganui, . scored best in Leghorns. J. Hurlo was the largest winner in the pigeon seclion, R. W. Dixon, C. Dixon, V. H. Bcale, T. Francis, W. Boulton, C. Annabell, 11. J. Moverley, also figuring i(u the list of awards. The only championship awarded yestorday was to C. Dixon for tumbler pigeons.