THE SHOW DINNER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 254, 2 December 1909, Page 2

THE SHOW DINNER.

The society's annual dinner was held in the Brougham Street Hall last niglit.

Owing to counter-attractions at the Theatre Royal and elsewhere, the attendance was hardly as largo as in previous yeirs. Most of the judges and many of the visiting exhibitors were amongst those present. Mr. W. Ambury, president of the Society presided. Among the apologies received were those of the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Messrs. H. Okey, M.P., and Newton King (two of the Society's patrons), and Air. U. Tisch, Mayor of New Plymouth. The catering was in the capable hands of Mr. J. W. Thomson.

The chairman's toast of His Majesty the King having teen duly honored, Air. F. Watson proposed "Kindred Societies." lln a racy speech he referred to the recent very satisfactory progress of this Society. With the toast were coupled the names of Messrs. U Day and J. AicCrca.

Air. Day, who had judged the Jerseys' during the day, spoke at some length concerning the very iiue show of the breed that day, saying that a great dell of the prosperity of the country was due to the wealth-giving 'properties of the Jersey. He himself had been ridiculed and laughed at in years past 'or his advocacy of the breed, but now people were beginning to realise that he had not been far out. Air. AlcCrea, of Palmerston North, assured the local society of every assistance from the Manawatu Association whenever required. It was very pleasing to him to note how well the various associations pulled together. He congratulated the Society on the continued improvement of the show. Air. I!. F. Cornwall proposed "The Judges," coupled with the names ot Alcssrs. Gillies, AlcKenzic, [Kyle and Woods.

Mr. Gillies, in replying, said lie had always' found the Taranaki Agricultural Society "a jolly good lot of fellows," else he would not have licen judging that day, for he had filled a gap at very great inconvenience to himself. Air. Donald made reference to the draughts judged that day. There were few better brood mares about than he had judged that day. lie referred to th 3 fewness of the Shorthorns, and gave his opinion that the Shorthorn was gong out in favor of the milking breeds. Air. Kyle made a humorous speech concerning the trials and tribulations of stock judges. Referring to the Ayrshires he had judged that day, he lemarked upon the fact that they had come forward in a normal state, not pampered. That was what was wanted, and that was all that the average business farmer could afford to do. Air. Wood, in the course of his reply, stated that in some of the classes tl'w Taranaki show had better cattle than in Auckland. Combatting the argument that the milking strains were taking the place of Shorthorns' and heavy breeds, he said the country could hardly do without somo beef cattle. The chairman, in introducing the toast of "The Exhibitors," said there was generally an improvement in the class of stock shown this year, and also in the numbers sent forward by old and new exhibitors. The show was growing, and very shortly it would be the best show of dairying cattle in the dominion, The toast was proposed by Air. A. 11.

Halcombe. No show, he said, could do very well without the enthusiasm shown by the exhibitors, who showed a \r>", sporting spirit in " coming up" again and again, despite occasional defeat. There was nothing like competition to put a man in his place. The man who |Uclievcd his stock the best in the world could soon find out the defects by sending them into the show ring, and then having a chat with the judges about the good or bad points of the animals. Air. A. Buchanan, in responding, sail, lie considered the Jersey section that, day the finest in quality' and largest n number that he had ever seen in any show-ring in New Zealand. That grand collection of animals was very largely duo to the energy and enterprise of the Taranaki farmers, who had got good stock and proved what they could do in the bucket. The keenest dairymen in

America were buying JciVeys from the Channel Islands, and now Denmark was importing them also. But there was merit in every old-established breed, and he would like to see the butter-fat competitions in vogue at every show. At Palmcrston North these had been held for four years. The firs't was won by an Ayrshire cross, the next two by pedigree Jerseys, and the latest by pedigree Holstciii. He would like to see the oth°r breeds endeavoring to take first place. Messrs. W. J. B. Paton, J. V. Vosper, and ,1. Campbell, jun., also responded, all acknowledging the courteous treatment meted out to exhibitors at the local show. I

Major A. 11. Young was' entrusted with the loasl nf "The Ladies/' and Messrs. l'\ \V. I'iim'.vmll and Jumps responded. Mr. A. Mori mi proposed "The Tress,' response Icing made by the representatives of the two Now Plymouth papers The chairman proposed "Tlie Caterer. Mr. Thornton proposed the health ol the secretary, and paid a warm tribute to the courtesy and energy display vl by Mr. Webster. The toast was drum; with enthusiasm. Mr. Webster, in acknowledging the toasl. stated bis desre that all judges, exhibitors mid spectators should go a way well satisfied with the Taranaki show' of 1900.

In bringing the gathering to n close, the president stated that from the close of the present show the committee would start straight in to work up tho Society's first winter show. The co-opera-tion of every farmer was invited, so that the, show would be a success.

The singing of the National Anthem brought a very sociable evening to a close at about' 10.30.

Mr. Thornton played the accompaniments during the evening, and contributed vocal numbers.