OTAGO WINTER SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 44, 1 June 1910, Page 5

OTAGO WINTER SHOW.

BI'TTKR AND CHEESE SPLENDID. SOME ASTONISHING FIGURES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. The Otago A. and I'. Society's seventeenth Winter Show opened to-day in tine weather, and in the presence of a very huge attendance. The number of entries this year, was ](K)1 as against 1002 last year and SUU in 18!)j. The principal interest was centred in the cheese ami butter, in both of which classes competition was very keen, l'he standard maintained bv the prize winners in cheese was fully up to that of previous years, and a feature was the absence of low scoring exhibits. Mr. C'uddie, Dairy Commissioner, stated that the exhibiton of butter was one of the best he had ever seen, and that there was •• noticeable improvement in all classes this year. He said that if the standard generally could be raised to that attained by exhibitors to-day, little or no fault would lie found with it on the British market. He attributed the improvement largely to pasteurisation of cream. The exhibit of the Department of Agriculture is a feature of the show, and is splendidly displayed. In officially opening the show the Hon. T, Mackenzie showed what had been done for the public by the Dairying Department during the 'past year. Forty new cheese factories had been established, and the output of cheese showed an increase of 3!) per cent, over the previour year. The quantity of butter exported for the season waa 33!).227 cwt„ valued at £1,!) f 54,477, an increase of 52,402 cwt. in quantity and £308,010 in value, compared with the previous year. Exports of cheese amounted to 453,805 cwt., valued at £1,317.208, an increase of 120,717 cwt. and £333,238 for the season. With reference to the fruit industry the Minister said, "We have tested our first export of annles under favorable conditions, and are awaiting a report iu connection therewith from the other side of the world. Fruit growing promises,' to 'be a great industry." In conclusion the Minister expressed the opinion that the future was full of promise. In t'he course of a few remarks the Hon. T. Y. Duncan said one thing had been neglected since he left the Department, and that wiis the establishment of an experimental farm in the South Island. Before he vacated the position in the Ministry he left a farm marked out, and the land then belonged to tihe Government. Addressing Mr. Mackenzie, Mr. Duncan said: "There is something for you to take back to Cabinet, and you will not get mv assistance til! you get that farm established." Mr. Mackenzie assured his hearers that he had not lost siirlit of the matter. and would try to' help, the South Island.