TOKO SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 199, 20 February 1914, Page 7

TOKO SHOW.

A SUCCESSFUL INAUGURATION. FINK DAIRY CATTLE EXHIBITS. Another addition to tin- list of agriculturiil, pastoral and horticultural shows in Taranaki was inaugurated yesterday, when the first show under the auspices of the Toko Settlers' Association was launched under most successful auspices. The promoters' aim is merely to endeavor to improve the class of cattle and. indeed, fanning matters generally in their own district, by trying to inculcate a healthy rivalry among settlers, and so get them interested in improved methods. Taranald should benefit by the establishment of a series of local shows with similar ideals. Competition is limited to Toko and surrounding district. The i'oko Settlers' Association rose from the ashes of the i'oko branch of the Farmers' Union. It was recognised bv e majority that nil association of this nature could do more good in its own district by being "oil its own" than by being connected with the bigger organisation, and so the branch of the Union was closed, and this association formed. Yesterday's show proved that the Settlers' Association is a live body and has the support of the farmers of the district. It is catering for the farmer on utilitarian linos. The cattle are all judged on < milking points, so tiiut tlip man who cannot all'ord to give big prices for .pedigree stuff has a ehiinee. The farmer recognised this by entering largely, j and some good stock was shown, fit to be in any herd Mid to anpear in its , class in any ring. The entry of sheep was disappointing, though there is good | sheep country near by. jiorscs were well catered for, and freely (altered. There was to be seen the school child's pony ami the milk turn-out. as well as the hunter. The dog trials were very interesting, and drew, big entries. The shepherd and his dog were very much j ill evidence, even if the sheep classes were small. In the horticultural section the competition in vegetables and and field produce was good, but the floral sections filled poorly. In the co«kenv sections some appetising viands were displayed. The management of the show was good, particularlv when it is remembered that it was impossible for the whole to be under one r#»f. The show had to be distributed in three sections. The vegetables, etc., were displayed in the hall, the •'attic and j sheep were penned in Mr Newton King's saleyards, kindly placed at the commit- I tee's disposal, and tlie competitions and | dog trials were held in the president's I paddock, across the railway line. De- j spite this ths president (Mr W. 11. Were) and tlie secretary (Air G. M. Clearv) maintained a careful super- ! vision, and all worked smoothly. The J committee and stewards all worked ) with a will. There was an attendance of over .1000 from the surrounding districts, but only a moderate number attended by snecial train from Stratford. Mr W. Elder, of Stratford, who had the refreshmentbooth, appeared to do good business and to give general satisfaction. A list of the winners in the principal sections is appended:— CATTLE. (■fudges: Messrs. M. T. Phillips and H. Hobbs.) l'en of five lieifty calves, from July 1, ' for Toko Merchants' Challenge Cup— Kvan rlones 1, Burgham and Metcalf 2, .Mrs I-.. T. Leydon 3. Seven entries. Five steers, from July 1, 1913—C. Bayly 1, Pen of three 18-month heifeis in calf —<i. Sangster (Stratford) 1, W. H. . Aleve 2, Mrs E. T. Leydon 3, Evan Times h.c. Fourteen entries. Ten of two 2'/ 2 -Tear heifers m calf— I ■T. Linn 1, C. Bayly 2, T. A. Lees 3. • Cow in milk, any breed, four years or ovflf (to be judged on dairy, points)— •VI. Gernhoefer 1, C. Bayly 2, W. 11. Were 3. A. A. Piper h.c. Fitteen entries. Cow or heifer, in milk, from July 1, lftll—T. A. Lees 1, J. W. Green 2, Evan Jones 3. Seven entries. Bull (Jersey) from Julv 1, 1912—BavIv 1, W. T. I'earee 2, J. W. Green 3." Hull, anv breed, bar Jersey—J. Davis 1. SHEEP. The sheep shown prove that the country- can do them well. T. A. Lees (Toko), with three firsts, three seconds and a third, swept tlie board in fat ewes and fat lambs, J. Lucena scoring a first with fat wethers. Mr. L. Webster was judge ill this class. HORSES AND COMPETITIONS, (Judges: Messrs. Day, riper and 11. Good.) Leaping competition, hunting style, 11 stone—F. Steel's Cork 1, C. Mather's Dolly 2. Six competitors. Leaping competition for school children—Laurie Leydon 1, Jack Butler 2, Leslie Chainev 3. Six competitors. Best school girl's turn-out, pony, rider and gear complete—Mary Jones 1, Rita I'earee 2, Lucy Jones ■>. Six entries. Best, milkeart horse, up to 15cwt. to be driven in milkeart owned by bona- I fide supplier—ll. Milne 1, Messrs. Uurgham and Metcalf 2, G. Goldup 3. Seven entries. Hunters' competition (open)—E. Mason's Kiri 1, C. Mather's Dolly 2, Steel's Cork 3. Seven entries. DOG IRIAL. Mr B. Boyle, of Tc Went, judged the j dog trial, in which there were eleven entries. Mr MeMulli was first and .-econd, with Toby and l'V respectively. POULTRY SECTION. ' Competition was not keen in this unseasonable .section. C. Beloe took all the prizes in Bantams and in Plymoutti Rocks, and two in Orpingtons and Burgham and Metcalf were prize-takers ill Orpingtons. Alex. Ferguson scored in Wyandotte#. Tim prize-taker* in Leghorns were T. A. Bocock. <!. E. Booock. C. W. Mather, A. Ferguson. and Bingham and Mctcr.lf. Mrs John Butler was the only exhibitor of ducks. Mr. 1). Stewart, of Normanby, was juifce. I'OT PLANTS AND CUT FLOWERS. These were judged by Mr E. A. Osmond. In pot plants, Mrs 0. E. Bocoek. Mrs 11. Milne, and Mrs M. (.'ernlioefer scored two prizes, and Mbs 1. Leydon one. In cut plants. Miss Alice Were secured six firsts and a second, Airs A. •T. Chainey three firsts, and Miss M. Clark and Miss Lulu Iline were also prize-takers. VEGETABLES. 'Mr. li. AIcK. Morison judged this section. The principal p 1 fze-winners were (!. 11. Seed (Douglas), Miss Marv Were, Mrs (!. J. Chairev, Raupuha School. Mrs J. KilpatricK, Mrs M. Gernhoefer. Airs D. B. Smith and Mrs F. Donin were al-o mentioned in the Driz n -list.. In the farm produce, some «iue specimen- of mangolds and swedes were benched, worthy of Toko's renutition. Messrs. Bitrgham and Metcalf and Air A. J. Chainey divided the prize-money. In • swede turnips Mr T. A. Lees won first and second, but was beaten bv Mr G.

AY. Were, for the heaviest. \Y. A. I'earee and T. A. Lees divided the honors in seft turnips, and Mr U. \V. Were was the only exhibitor in oats mid barley, in which he showed some fine samples. Very little fruit was tabled, Mrs. AVere exhibited some nice eookii.g-apples and a line collection. G. Sangster's cooking-apples and tomatoes took first prize, as did Mrs J. Butler's peaches. In honey, Messrs. J. W. Green and G. Sangster divided the prizes, the former taking three firsts and the latter three seconds. A concert was in have been held in ' he hall in the evening, but owinsr to the, death of the patron's mother (Airs. Iline), it was j.jstponed. A gift auction and dance will he l'.ed in the hall this evening.