THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 129, 22 November 1911, Page 4

THE AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

OPENING TO-DAY. The thirty-seventh annual show under tie auspices of the Taronaki Agricultural Society opens to-day on the society's grounds at the Racecourse. It is hardly neceaary to rimind readers of this fact, because throughout North Taranaki the show has been the main topic of conversation, after the elections, of course, for weeks back. The secretary and committee have done their part anil got all arrangements complete for the show; the exhibitors have nobly done theirs by giving a record entry, and if the clerk of the weather can only be persuaded to do his part and look favorably on New Plymouth, we feel sure that the public will do their's and that the attendance both to-day and to-morrow, People's Day, will prove also a record. There is every indication at present that the weather intends to be favorable. In support of the claim that this year is a record is shown by the fact that last year the total entries were 001, while this year they are 1110, the. horses and dogs being mainly responsible for the increase. As is usually the case the case the thoroughbred section is not a big one, but this year New Plymouth gives a lead to several of the shows that have already been held down the line. The carriage horse and hack section! will be one of the feaures of this year's show, there being large entries ill all classes, and the exhibits will include many of the leading prize-winners at Palmers ton, Wanganui, and Hawera. There will also be a larger show of flraught horses than has previously been seen at New Plymouth, and here, again, the local entry lias been considerably strengthened by outside breeders and exhibitors. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the show to the general publie is the ring competitions, and this year the competitions will be particularly interesting. For instance, there are as many as 17 and 18 entries in some of the hack classes, and entries running into double figures in harness sections,"and these very satisfactory figures are more than maintained in the jumping events, the hunters' competition having attracted. an entry of 23. There are 14 entries Ml the dual competition, 16 in the ladies' hunters' competition, 23 in the steeplechase competition, and so on. There will be a very fair show of fat cattle, and among the exhibitors of Holsteins are Messrs. Newton King and t. J. Johnstone (llawera). Avrshires will be be a big class this year, and Judging by the number of entries the Jersey section will be the largest judged this season. "

Sheep show a big increase on last years entry and the number of pi«s is about the same as last year. ° Last year the total 'entry in the do® section was 57, this year it has reached «*>', a record for any dog show held, m Taranaki, and visitors will have au opportunity of seeing some champions. ji 1, thus be P lent .y to interest all, andl those who go to shows merely to be amused will find much to entertain them in the numerous side-shows which have assembled.