HAWERA SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1920, Page 6

HAWERA SHOW.

, A SPLENDID EXHIBITION. BAD WEATHER FOR OPENING. General disappointment was felt yesterday that the weather for the opening day of the thirty-sixth annual show of the Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held at Hawera, should have proved so unpropitious. Very elaborate preparations had been made by the officials in charge of the arrangements, and if the weather hadbecn at all favorable, the show should have eclipsed all previous records and proved an entire success. The attendance of the public, although' comparatively small, was satisfactory in view of the wretched weather conditions. The judges were severely handicapped in carrying out their work, owing to the rain, but in the sheep and cattle classes they managed to get through in good time. The weather was altogether against judging the sheep and wool, some of the judges expressing the opinion that if they saw the sheep under different conditions, the awards might have been reversed. With the exception of the Home In* dustries classes, which showed a decrease of about 20 entries as compared with the previous show, the entries were practically a record in all classes, and the quality of the exhibits was generally above the usual standard. The decrease in the Home Industries can be attributed to the sugar shortage. The cattle classes were particularly strong, some splendid animals I being exhibited, and the judges bad a [ difficult time in placing them. The trade exhibits were also a big improvement on the last show, some good displays being made of motor cars, implements, dairying machinery, etc. A number of showmen had made arrangements to have side shows, but owing to the rain, the majority of them did not commence business. The secretary, Mr. C. R. Stannard, who has only recently taken up the position, had a very busy time throughout the day, and he deserves to be congratulated on the excellent arrangements made. The co-operation of the president (Mr. E. A. Washer) and the members of the general committee, largely contributed to the smoothness with which the show was managed. The weather not having improved in the afternoon, it was decided at 2 o'clock to postpone all the competitions set down for the first day, until 9 a.m. today. DAIRY CATTLE. The entries of dairy cattle showed a big increase as compared with those received last year, the increase being most marked in the Jerseys, which were more than double those at the previous show. Tho milkers were, however, not looking their best for show purposes, the season of the year being not the most suitable for displaying their best points. In some respects the cattle were not up to what has been seen at the Taranaki shows, the fore-udders were deficient in some cows, and in other cases the back udder was not too well caught up behind. In the Jerseys Mr. John Nicholson's cow, "Lady Binnie," was described by the judge as being the best on the ground, and Mr. F. Ranford's bull, "Achievement of Willowbank," was the best in his class. In the Shorthorns, the champion cow was a very fine animal, showing special qualities. The champion bull was of a 1 useful type, showing strong Shorthorn points. In better condition he would have Bhown to even greater advantage. Generally the classes were very satisfactory. The Herefords were a fine class, but very wild; the judging being most difficult for this reason. While the competition in the Ayrshire w.is not strong, the quality in some instances was very good, particularly Mr. Fred Mills' entries in the milking classes. Friesians were not as numerous as last year or quite up to the •standard of the stock seen at Stratford, but some of the best quality in Taranaki was on exhibition. The two year old heifer of Mr. Henry Johnson, of Stratford, was of outstanding quality. HORSES.

In the draughts,-the brood mares were exceptionally good- and equal to anything the. judge had seen during his twenty years' experience of judging. The three year old fillies also excelled anything he had previously seen, and many of those unplaced would most likely gain prominent positions at the shows. The dry mare class was very strong, the animals showing plenty of bone and substance. The yearling geldings and fillies also earned the judge's praise. In the two year old geldings the winner of the first prize was one of the best geldings the judge had met for many years, being very active, clean in movement, nnd a good horse in every respect. The classes for foals were well represented, and while good qualitv were hardly up to their 'best condition for show purposes at this time of the year. SHEEP. There were some well-bred sheep entered, hut in a few of (he classes it was regrettable that there was not more competition. Two of the Eomney rams were specially praised by the ' judge. Thcy_ carried very good fleeces and showed good' constitution and general character. The Lincoln champion ram was a very fine specimen, with good prospects. The second prize ram" had been good, but had to give way to something younger. T> Leicester ram* were difficult to judge, particularly in respect to the wool. There were some really good sheep, though several classes were only fair. The entries in some of the classes were also badlv paired. The champion Lincoln ewe was of a fine stamp and of good length. Jn the fat sheep the' heavy weights were a particularly fine entry, and the winners'in class 40 would he hard to bent anywhere. The fat lambs were not ijiiifp i ls d'cserVing of praise,' some not. being quite up to the mark in condition. The first prize lambs were good, but others siven a place were rather backward, this being no doubt due to the unfavorable season that has been experienced. The Border ewes, any age, made a good class. The champion ram was a well-balanced sheep, but a little on the short side PIGS. The classes for pigs, which eTe usually fairly weak, wer.e this yen? better represented than auuf 1 * '