TARANAKI SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 200, 2 December 1910, Page 2

TARANAKI SHOW.

THE PEOPLE'S DAY. Thousands of folk wearing holiday garb and show-time smiles dotted the restful green of the racecourse yesterday. It was the "People's Day," and the grounds were en fete. The powerful heat was modified by an occasional breeze, and man, woman, child and "exhibits" appeared at their best. "People's Day" is meeting day, the day when folk who have not seen each other for perhaps a year collide and say, "Hello! Are you here?" Grand horsesand prize cows andi rattling events in horsemanship are all very well, and are the excuse for the gathering, but the second day is useful above everything else as a day when one may rub shoulders with one's fellow man, when one may wear her newest frock, when one may assure one's friend that although the judge didn't give a favorite cow or a favorite horse first prize, she or he or it was the best animal on the ground. Mainly is a "People's Day" nowadays an occasion when folk look for amusement. They will leave the greatest cow or the finest horse or the biggest bullock to hear the more or less humorous patter of tired side-showmen, or the argumentative discourse of a salesman with a tremendous vocabulary of "gag" and a genius for snaring half-crowns. Everybody loves the / cow that keeps Taranaki's credit sound, but cows are frequent enough today and to-morrow. Father and mother and the kiddies can't ride on "an ocean wave" every day, or gaze on the."most wiohderful side-show this side of Kingdom Come," or see a collection of such horses on the move. It is the color and movement and variety of the "People's Day 3 that makes it a glad occasion and marks it with a white stone. The immense interest taken in the ring events made it difficult for a latecomer to capture a section of fence to lean his waistcoat on, and one was lucky if he got a field 1 of view through a sea of ladies' hats that would rejoice the heart of any milliner. The fine grandstand was a picturesque item, a bank of snowy whiteness, with here and there a note of color one green splash captured the eye—almost the only variation from the prevalence of white garb. Any stiffness of the opening day had worn awaj', arid the big area was vocal with fraternity. When Mr. F. Watson marshalled the prize-winners for the great march past, the real excellence of the show was evident in every animal. The whole parade was an inspiring spectacle, no less for the value and beauty of the animals than for the evident pride of the owners. The marshal probably recognised that such a parade should be as nearly under the eye of the people as possible, and arranged and carried it out with this object in view. Horses and cattle were paraded specklessly, and the vehicles in the smart procession seemed to have arrived from the coach-painter a minute before. There was lots of "ginger" about the jumping events which succeeded the parade, and a lot of men onlookers who know a horse when they see one wished they knew as much about riding one—especially over jumps—as Miss Abbott. Interesting to observe that .every horse has a way of his own. The bay gallops furiously to his hurdle, props, and then rears over, the grey takes it in a stride, the brown seems to get over half at a time, and the roan climbs over like a cat. There were horses perfect in make and type, which couldn't jump worth a cent, and ponies of the small, hardy, ugly type, which would try to jump the Post Office if it wa,s in theovay. ■ Riders differ too.- The beautiful ' brunette young man would drive a railway spike as his horse lands, the fair-haired chap gits to his pigskin as if he was born there, the fellow with tile big moustache stands up all the time, and the cleanshaven gentleman sits away to the southward and has his feet well up north —all good horsemen —but different. There's a boy who rides as if his fine pony was fitted with a steel barrel—-spur-proof—and believes- a horse's mouth is cast-iron, a little girl with "hands" as soft as a caress making a raking pony feel contented, and a hundred and one other varieties of horseman, horsegirl and horseboy. Then, when all the jumps have been jumped 'and the smart harness horses have gone home and the cows and pigs and dogs have faded away across the grass, the nine or ten men with the one stockwhip do their turn —gallop past three posts and try to cut a lemonade bottle from each. Everybody laughs, because everybody who doesn't know what an irritating thing a stockwhip is believes he could hit a threepenny bit six times out of seven. But it was good comedy. Some pushed the bottles off with the belly of the whip, and one gentleman smote the inoffensive glass with the handle. Several men tried to take hurdles away with the lash, and one made a mighty cut and came away with the handle hard held and left the lash on the fence. The usual more or less yellow dog did long sprints to see that the horses were jumping properly, and the usual growler to whom someone said, "Grand weather, ain't it?" replied, "Well, it can't rain all the time, can it?" Main feature? Keenness of exhibitors, riders and the public. Everybody wdl-dressed, nice and sunbrowned and smiling. Everybody delighted with the idea that "Taranaki isn't dead yet." When next show time comes along and there are double the number of entries, everybody will say, "I told you so!" HORSES.

The quality was good, but the entry was very disappointing (taking it all round) to the judges and public alike. It was expected that with a district like Hawera so close, there would be keener competition. "There is no doubt of it," remarked Judge Harris, "the hacks are a feature of your show." And that this was the case no one will dispute. They were a splendid lot. The 15 stone hacks were an exceptionally good class, and the winners could hold their "tail" up (as the judge remarked) in any ring. The ladies' hacks were rather on the heavy side, but the ponies were very good indeed. A point that might be mentioned is this: On several occasions during the show there had been entries, say, in the ponies, ranging 'from 10 to 14 hands. Now one judge advised the society to avoid such a "long range," as it were, I for the future, by having classes for the

different stamps. The judge is hampered in his work for one thing, and further, the society would benefit, so one judge said. In one instance the matter was decided by the judges themselves. This was in the ponies under 14.1 hands, which were divided into two classes, pony and cobs, as the judges considered it would not be fair to judge cobs as against the others. For entire other than thoroughbred,, suitable for breeding carriage horses, and weight-carying hacks, Captain Mitchell's Silver King (.Silver Spec—Blue Bell) came in for special commendation at the hands of the judge. Silver King, according to him, is better than the sort they get in his own district—the Waikato. ' Mr. A. N. Bewley's entry in ladies ■, hacks over 15 hands was exceptionally good, tip-top in fact, and the class itself produced nine competitors, all very good. '•Manners." that is what Mr. Banks is. a great believer in. "If a horse has not' got manners." he says, "it is no lady's hack." That's a "tip" for future shows. The farmers' utility class produced the real sort of animal, and this is a feature of the ischedule that should be encour-

aged. W.*Scholea (Lepperton) who'was first, had a. clinker of the useful sort, one of those animals that can be utilised for bringing in the cows, driving the family to church op-Sundays, harvesting the crops, or putting in "Ms little bit" when there is a ton of manure or a load of hay to shift. The N.Z. Express Co.'s i grey in an express again took the pub- [ lie eye as well as the judge's in the 1-ton class. The winner of the tradesmen's single delivery cart horse, and getup to be considered, came from Eltham, Mr. J. P. Riordan being the owner. He was a good one, but W. Banks' (New' Plymouth) ran him close for first honor with Kitty. The best walking horse came out ol a big field, and was the property of Messrs. Elliott and Dailey, of New Ply- ' mouth, while the district also claimed a typical trooper's horse as the winner of this class, Mr. W. H. Boulton's Pompey being much admired. The pony classes were splendidly filled. The leaping was watched with interest, it is almost needless to say, and the other competitions held the crowd right till the end. The Hunters' Competition was won by Mr. G. H. Gibson, of Hawera, and Miss Abbott was lady rider of the winner in the dual jumping competition. In the Ladies' Hunters' competition Mr. N. Patterson's Haere was first in a field of five. Starlass, the property of Mr. B. Chaney, New Plymouth, was the best of seven in the Steeplechase, Mr. G. H. Gibson's Early Dawn being second. The pony leaping fell to Mr. H. Kean Clarke, of Stratford, with a splendid beast at the fences. The mounted stockmen's competition (with whip) brought out six competitors, but there was nothing sensational in the event, although the efforts of the riders caused great amusement. 'ENTIRES.

Thoroughbreds—T. Carson (Stratford), Bombardo, by Hotchkiss, 1. Carriage horses and Hacks.—Captain Mitchell's Silver King 1, W. G. Crozier's Berlin Mac 2. Ponies A. T. Moore, Major, 1; J. Clare, Native Chief, 2. Draughts—Captain Mitchell (Waitara) Empire, by Prince Royal—Princess of Windsor, 1; F. W. Oldham (Mangorei), Lord Bobs, by Lord Roberts —Waina, 2. Harness horse, over 15.1 hands A. McCraeken (Eltham) 1, W. Birdling (Waitara) 2, Mrs. Mary L. Gordon Glassford (Inglewood) 3. Harness ponv, under 13 hands—Caotain Mitchell (Waitara) .1, W. N. Jenkins (Fitzroy) 2, Mrs. Dick Cornwall (Fitzroy) 3. Harness pony, 12 hands or under—Mrs. Dick Cornwall 1, Mrs. Oholmeley 2, Mrs. Stanley Shaw 3. Trotting horse, mare, or gelding (driven in harness) —A. McCraeken (Eltham) 1, H. C. D. Wade (Eltham) 2, H. A. Julian (Hawera) 3. HACKS. •

Ladies hacks, 15 hands and under (to be ridden by a lady)— Mrs. W. G. Higgensen (Eltliam) I,'W. T. Joll (Waitara) 2, R. J. Johnstone (Sentry Hill) 3. Pony under 14.1 hands (to be ridden bv boy or girl under 15) —W. N. Jenkins (Fitzroy) 1, May Sole (Bell Block) 2. Pony cobs, 1.4.1 hands and. under (to be ridden by bov or girl under 15)— H. Kean Clarke (Stratford) 1, J. L. Campbell (Eltham) 2. Weight-carrving hack, up to 11 stone— W. H. Boulton (New Plymouth) 1, C. M. Craddock (Inglewood) 2, Mrs. W. G. Higginson (Eltham) 3, W. T. Joll (Waitara) v.h.c.

Cob under 15 hands ; to be ridden at walk, trot and canter —Elliott and Dailey (New Plymouth) 1, T. James (New Plymouth) 2, Percy Sole (Bell Block) 3. ■ Best Walking) hack, pace, style, and action to he considered (lady or gentleman rider) —Elliott and Dailey (New Plymouth) 1, Mrs. G. W. Higginson (Eltham) 2. Farmers' utility horse (to be ridden), bona, fide property of owner for three months previous to show—W. Scholes (Lepperton) 1, H. B. Lepper (Lepperton) 2, A. P. Lister (Frankley Road) 3, J. Walsh (Mangorei) v.h.c.

SPRING TRAPS. Mare or gelding (in regular work), for spring cart or express work (up to one ton)—N.Z. Express Co. (New Plymouth) 1, Penman and Boswell 2, Westport Coal Co. 3. Tradesman's single light horse (in regular work) and delivery cart, up to ■half-ton or under (the turn-out and getup to be considered)—J. P. Riordan (Eltham) 1, W. Banks (New Plymouth) 2, E. May (New Plymouth) 3. CATTLE. AYRSHIRES. In the Ayrshires pen of two heifers, under 18 months, Geo. Marsh, Egmont Village, was first. JERSEYS.

GRADE OR CROSSBRED SECTION. Cow, four years and over, in milk— D. Watkins' (Huiroa) Cherry's Fairy 1, W. H. Jury's (Omata) Star 2, A. B. Leech's (Sentry Hill) Fatty 3. Cow, four years and over, visibly in caM—A. B. Leech (Sentry Hill) 1, E. R. Bayley (Omata) 2, Arthur Morton (Egmont Village) 3. Heifer, since Ist July, 1910— F. W. Oldham (Mangorei) 1. Heifer, since Ist July, 1908—C. and T. Crozier (New Plymouth) 1 and 2, G. Tippins (Frankley Road) 3. Heifer, since Ist July, 1909—C. H. Foote's (New Plymouth) Beauty 1, Norman Berridge 2, Ronald Boon 3. Pen of two heifers, calved since Ist July, 1907—Mrs. Mary L. Gordon Glassford (Inglewood) 1, 2, and 3. PIGS.

Pen of three best baconers, any breed, weight not to exceed 1501b. nor less than 1201b (dead weight), for the Inglewood Co-operative Bacon Co.'s prizes of £3 and £1; the class to be judged by the manager and the pigs to become the property of the company at their advertised price—Hy. King (Papa Moa, New Plymouth) 1, H. C. Sampson (Hillsborough) 2. Pen of two pigs, between 801b and 1101b (dead weight) —Newton King (New Plymouth) 1. Children's variety class, dogs or bitches —Harry Brooks (Xew Plymouth) 1. Any varietv sporting dog or bitch — North Tarana'ki Hunt Club 1, F. F. Callaghan 2, Hunt Club 3 and h.c, H. Brooks h.c. '• Anv varietv non-sporting do? or bitch —J. H. Bagley (Fitzroy) 1. DOGS Though not so strong numerically as last year, there was a decided improvement in quality all round. Greyhounds and open classes were particuuarly strong, and it was with difficulty that the first three were sorted out. Mason, the property of Mr. G. H. Gib3on, is a typical hound. Mr. Davidson's Polar .Star had rather a faulty ear carriage, and Mr. Malam's Count Menschikoff did not show to advantage, as he was not in such good condition as those above him in the prize-list. The open class of pointers was won by Mr. T. Kirkwood's Beadle, who was just about as perfect a specimen as possible, but was a shade on the small side. This dog also won the special for the best dog in the show. English setters were nothing out of the ordinary, except the winner in bitches (open),'which was shown by Mr. T. Kirkwood, a really nice quality of bitch all through, whilst the best of a •mall entry in retrieves was the bitch

exhibited by Mr. J. Paterson, of Strat- ! ford. Two excellent field spaniel dogs ; were led out, Mr. G. Anderson's Venti-] 'lator being a shade better in eye and' back that Mrs. Condor's Kid. "Cocker spaniels brought out one of the best I puppies of the season in Mr. 11. Muiiro's [ Mac, which won both the dog classes. Mr. Callaghan's blue-roan bitch, Vogel Fan, was put down in tip-top order, and in addition to scoring in her own class, also gained the challenge for best cocker in the show. Collies were 'disappointing in numbers, although Mr. J. 11. Bagley's Fitzroy Buster, which won in the open dogs, and the same owner's Fitzroy Peggie, which won in open bitches, were just about equal to most of the collies now being exhibited. The former won the collie challenge. Old English and beardies brought out about the nicest class that has been seen in New Plymouth, during the last three or four years, at any rate. Mr. C. L. Bridges' Aramoho Bob was the winner, Mr. Cuthbertson's Lome being second. Both might have been better in coat. Messrs W. James and H. Street exhibited the best of the fox terriers, both nice in body, but might have been a shade cleaner in the head. Mrs. G. H. Saunders' Irish terrier, Lord Obediah, was put down in much better form, and had no difficulty in gaining the leading position. Scotch terriers brought out a nice dog, shown by Mr. H. D. Caplen—clean all through and with a good, hard coat. Bulldogs were a fair lot. In pugs, Miss E. Mynott's Ponty came out on top, having a nice head, particularly good in eye, good body and coat of nice texture. Mr. C. Mossman's Stratford Jack was a close second, losing in eye to the winner, and Mr. J. G. Roch's Patsy was very loose in the shoulder. In the children's variety class, Mr. H. Brooks' whippet, Glory, had no someptitor to contend with. Except for having bad feet, she is a really nice specimen of this rare breed, so far as the Dominion shows are concerned. The ''any variety" sporting class was somewhat difficult to decide. The North Taranaki Hunt Club's Loudy was the winner, and was one of the best harriers seen for some time. Mr. CalOaghan's cocker was second, and the Hunt Club's Jock third. The "any variety" non-sporting class was won by Mr. Bagley's Fitzroy Buster. The following is the prize-list: — Greyhoundss, dozs—G. H. Gibson (Hawera) 1, R. Davidson 2, G. Malam 3. Pointer, do?* —Thos. Kirkwood (Strat- j ford) 1, Wm."oliver 2, Wm. L. Joll 3.

English setter, dogs —Thos. Kirkwood (Stratford) 1, R. Ullet (New Plymouth) 2, H. i 3. Lepper (Lepperton) 3. English setter, bitches—Thos. Kirkwood 1. Retrievers, curly-coated, dogs—E. Boulton 1, Jas. Patterson 2. Retrievers, curly-coated, bitches—Jasv Patterson 1. Field spaniels, dogs —Geo. Anderson (Palmerston North) 1, Mrs. N. Conder (Marton Junction) 2. 1 Field spaniels, bitches—L. C. Jennins (Waitara) 1. Cocker spaniels, puppy, black or colored, dog 9 or bitches —H. 'Mun.ro (New Plymouth) 1, G. W. McGregor 2. Cocker spaniels (open), dogs—H. Munro 1.

Cocker spaniels (open), bitches—F. F. Callaghan 1, C. E. Aldridge (Wellington) 2, G. 3'.. Collies, rough-coated! ('open), dogs—J. H. Bagley (Fitzroy), I and challenge cup; Rev. Basil Metsoit (Stratford) 2. Collies, rough-coated (open), bitches— J. H. Bagley 1. . Old English and beardies (open), dogs —C. L. Bridges (Aramoho) 1, F. W. Green (Stratford) 2, Miss D. Cuthbertson (Stratford) 3, Geo. Tippins v.h.c. Fox terriers, smooth, puppy dogs— Wm. James (Bell Block) 1. Fox terriers, smooth, puppy bitches— Mrs. E. F. (Spray (Tariki) I.' For terriers, smooth (open), dogs—lT, Street 1, Mrs. E. Pardy (New Plymouth) 2, Mrs. E. F. Spray 3. Irish terriers (open), dogs—Mrs. Garnet H. Saunders (New Plymouth) 1, L. Cramer (Midhirst) 2.

Scottish terrieTs (open), dogs—H. D. Caplen (Hawera) 1, Miss I. P. Turton (Omata) 2. Scottish terriers (open), bitches— H. D. Caplen 1. Bulldogs, puppies, dogs or bitches—W Audrey (Stratford) 1. Bulldogs (open), dogs—Fred Watson 1, W. Audrey 2. Pugs (open), bitches—C. Mossman (Milburn) 1. j Pugs (open), dogs—Miss Elsie Mynott j (Vogeltown) 1, C. Mossman 2, j. G. Roch (New Plymouth) 3. SECOND DAY COMPETITIONS. Hunters' Competition, not less than 12 stone—'G. H. Gibson's Grey Dawn, 1; X. Patterson's Haere, 2; A. N. Bewley's Rawa, 3. Dual Jumping (lady and getleman)— E. Julian's (Inglewood) Reynardeau and A. Cliff's Kiri (ridden by Miss Abbott and P. Sole), 1; G. H. Gibson's Grey ! Dawn and A. Cliff's Kiri( ridden by Miss Abbott and G. H. Gibson), 2; Percy Sole's Dougall and E. Julian's Reynardeau, 3. Ladies' Hunters' Competition—N. Patterson's (Inaha) Haere, 1; G. H. Gibson's Grey Dawn, 2; W. H. Boulton'3 Pompey, 3. Miss Abbott won the special prize for best rider in this class. Leaping Competition (steeplechase style), not less than 11 stone—B. H. Chaney's Starlass 1, G. H. Gibson's Grey Dawn 2, E. L. Julian's Reynardeau 3. Pony Leaping Competition, not over 14.2 hands (ridden by boy or girl under 17)— H. Kean Clarke 1, W. R. Wilson (New Plymouth) 2, F. A. Hooker (New Plymouth) 3. Miss Rait won the prize presented by Mr. Henry Ford for best girl rider, and Master Kruse the prize presented by Mr. N. Greiner for best boy rider. Mounted Stockmen's Competition—E.i Julian (Inglewood) 1, E. L. Malone (Okato) 2. This event, which was an innovation, took on so well that a scratch competition was arranged for which, there were a number of competitors, including some old timers. The winners were: E. J. Carthew 1, W. Birdling 2. ' PET LAMB. Pet lamb, four entries Miss Ella Grant (Westown) 1, Miss Irene Freethey 2, Miss E. Vickers (Inglewood) 3, Miss Lily Blewman v.bA