TIMARU SHOW.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2733, 3 November 1894, Page 3

TIMARU SHOW.

The weather, as usual, was very fine. On the first day a little rain fell, just sufficient to lay the dust, and the second day was all that could be desired. It is rather remarkable that no one remembers a wet Timaru Show Day. We have attended it regularly for the last eighteen years, and though we remember days,on which high winds tore down the tents, not a wet Show Day has been experienced in all that time. The general character of the weather has been cold wind with threats of rain on the first day, and fine sunny weather for the second. In o,ur last issue we briefly indicated that a falling off had taken place in the principal departments of the show. And now we come to give a more detailed account of it.

THE SHEEP showed a falling off in numbers, but certainly not in quality, for those exhibited were certainly equal to anything seen in former years. We regret, however, to say that this district was not so well represented as it ought to be. This is one of the finest districts in New Zealand, and it is not at all creditable to it that only four sheep-owners from it exhibited. These were Mr 0. G. Tripp, Mr A. M. Clark, Mr Donald Grant, and the executors of the late A. Grant, to whom credit is due for their public spirit. At one time a show was held in Temuka, but it was allowed to die out. If this had been kept alive it would have been very useful for enabling sheep-owners to select suitable exhibits for the bigger shows. But though there were only four exhibitors, these did well, a fact which ought to encourage .sheep-owners. We have again to compliment Mr 0. G. Tripp on having carried off the first prize and champion in the strong combing merino class for the best ram of any age. He was also successful in the Romney Marsh class taking off a similar price. These animals were very fine specimens of their respective clases. especially the merino, which could not well be beaten. Mr Tripp’s public spirit is well deserving of commendation. He lives in a rather remote part of the district, and has not the advantages which residents in the lower lands possess, yet he is a regular exhibitor and prize winner at the Timaru show, so long as we remember, and sets a good example to all his neighbours who might well imitate him. Mr A. M. Clark was not so successful this year as on former occasions, although he exhibited very fine sheep. In previous years he secured a large number of prizes, but on this occasion he suffered defeat. The tine combing merino class lay entirely between Messrs F. H. Smith and W. Lyttelton, and they divided the prizes pretty evenly with each other. There yras better competition in the English Leicester class, in which Mr Donald Grant’s sheep showed up well, and the executors of the late Andrew Grant won several prizes. In this class Mr D. Grant got nine prizes‘of all kinds; fcthe executors of the late A. Grant also took two first and two second prizes, and as both came from the same estate, it must be said that the flock did remarkably well, In the Border also Mr D. Qrapt was very successful in competition with the splendid aheap sb ' oWU by Mr Fleming Douglas, but * Liu ‘ 2 and Romney Marsh ere tTZy limited comn^ ul ti OU) there being only threo or f our exhibitors in both classes. The sheep, however, warp splendid, and judges said they were equal to the boat to bp seen anywhere, In the Shropshire : Downs class this district was unrepresented and calls for no special mention. On the whole, the show of sheep, though small, was very good, and it is a groat pity to notion a falling-off in numbers in this nv*st important department of the show.

OATTIiB, Tho show of cattle was not up to the standard, and tlia competition was very limited. Th ,-re is nothing very great ii: I winning a prize when there is no one 1 to compete for it, as in tho ease of th* j Hereford, in which Mr A- M- Clu'k, wu; I „iio only exhihiti r jno etuUe Jiq sVahaoi i wore certainly excellent, an- 3 , would havi j low ground ii | Now Zealand-, out tho fact that ha wa j tho only exnibitor must depreciate tin j value of his prizes, |n Aldornoys two I competed. These were Messrs Kobor 1 Brown and Robert Davie. In Highlam j oat tip Mf (>. hi. K bodes was tho mil; ; competitor, and in fat cattle Mr A. INI ■ Clark won first and second prizes. It ii i rather remarkable that in a district sucl , as this, aud in view of tho fact that a< 4

much attention is being devoted to the dairy industry at present, that the show of cattle was so limited that only three or four people exhibited. This is not as it should be, but doubtless the fact that the prizes are small has something to do with it. This is, however, a mistaken view of the case. The value of the prize is nothing compared with the other advantages to be gained by exhibiting and letting one’s stock be seen. HORSES. There was a very good show of Clydesdale entire horses, and amongst the best were those travelling in this district. Amongst these may be mentioned Mr A. Toomey’s fine horse Banker, Mr Wheelband’s Young Taieri Tom, and Mr Sewell’s Early Morning, who first saw the light in this district. These are all three fine horses, and many were not satisfied with the decision of the judges in placing them second to the first prize winners. Mr Evans’s magnificent three-year-old horse took off first prize in his own class. This is a horse which will yet be heard of. There were other splendid animals shown, especially by Mr J. Small, of Ashburton, but as they are not travelling in this district our readers will have no special interest in them. The thoroughbred class was fairly well represented, and in the carriage horse class Mr E. Toomey & Son’s fine entire Young Emerson, carried all before it. This is a beautiful dark bay horse, and it is certainly a great acquisition to this district that he is travelling in it this season, as some fine stock is bound to be left after him. The hunters were a very superior lot, and the finest jumping ever seen on the ground was witnessed. Amongst the riders who won most applause for their skill and courage were Master Wareing, of Milford, and Miss Button, of Peel Forest. Miss Button’s capabilities as a horse-woman are well known, and was no surprise to anybody, but Master Wareing, who is only a lad of about 16 years, displayed much skill in handling his horse, and deserves great praise for it. DOGS. There was a number of very fine collie dogs shown, and most of the prizes came to the district, Mr Holwell taking first place, with Mr Bruce Gillies’ ; dog highly commended. PIGS. The show of pigs was the only department which showed any great improvement. In point of number and quality the pigs were superior to anything seen for years in Timaru, but their competition was limited to Messrs Rowe and Wills, who, of course, took all the prizes, the former taking the lion’s share. DAIRY AND OXHBB PRODUCE. There was not a single exhibit of dairy produce from this district, and the name of Mrs Dalton, who for many years has been a large prize-taker, was missed from the catalogue; Mrs Frew also was conspicuous by her absence, and so not a prize came to this side of the Opihi. In cheese the Temuka and Inch Olutha Factories and Messrs Shaw and Crossland were the only competitors. The two factories divided the prizes pretty evenly between them, but the local factory took off Mr Rhodes’ special prize for the best made table cheese. In bacon Mr D. McCallura took all before him,securing five first and two second prizes against Messrs Opie & Sons, who secured one first and three highly commendeds. In agricultural produce the number of exhibitors from this district was small, although it is the best district in the colony. Mr W. Greenaway senior and Mr W. Greenaway junior competed for the best bag of potatoes prize, but the father won, the son having to content himself with second place. • These potatoes have won prizes on several previous occasions. There was a very good display of mangolds, turnips, etc., some swedes being remarkable for their extraordinary size. la long red mangolds Mr John Holwell got first prize, and was highly commended for his swede turnips, IMPLEMENTS. The display of implements this year was really fine, and foremost amongst the exhibitors must be- placed Messrs Reid and Gray, whose show of ploughs, drills, and other agricultural implements was, as usual, excellent. Gray’s patent b’£. side ploughs, fitted with steel mouldboards and angular steel points for shares attracted a good deal of attention from farmers. The chief attraction, however, was Swales’ simplex turnip - thinner, which we believe Messrs Reid & Gray are introducing for the first time, and they claim for it that it will thin turnips equal to ten wen working by hand. It appeared as very likely to do all that is claimed for it. The model of the 16-coulter Eureka seed and manure drill is also likely to be much sought after, as it appears to possess peculiar advantages, over ordinary drills. Messrs Hatton and Sterner, of Timaru, made a show of cooking ranges. It gives us pleasure to bear testimony to their excellence, and we are glad to find them manufactured in the district. The Farmers’ Co-operative Association made a good display of manures and seeds, and Messrs Miles & Co. had a large tent full of agricultural seeds and manures, glazed drain pipes, stoneware, as well as a delicious drop of pure mountain dew all the way from «Bonny Dundee. ” Messrs Priest & Holdgate occupied a good deal of space with cider mills, hay rakes, Planet Junr. tools, lawn mowers, harrows, ploughs, and so on. Messrs Wotton & Brewer showed a highly finished dog cart, which was greatly admired. Mr W. W. Campbell, of Geraldine, had two vary handsome gigs, which appeared to be honestly put together, as u ell as finely finished. The Canterbury Seed Company made a display of seeds and also of a new ~%' e ep 'dip which they intend iutr^ ucil ** J t he public,