THE MASTERTON SHOW.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3110, 8 February 1909, Page 5

THE MASTERTON SHOW.

ANOTHER RECORD OF ENTRIES

IN SHEEP SECTION

COMPABfSON WITH LAST YEAR'S fIKcOBD ENTRIES.

Again has the gratifying fact to be cferonicled that the? entries for Masterton Show are in excess of the Show's previous record. Last year the A. and P. Association were proud of the fact that their 1,819 entries were a record for the Dominion, and now this year they have to congratulate themselves on the fact that they have beaten that record by the substantial margin of 55 entries. This result is particularly satisfactory, inasmuch as it is in the primary classes that the interest of exhibitors has been either maintained or stimulated, and because there has been a big drop in some of the classes regarded by all Associations of secondary importance. The following table shows the entries received for last year's Show and this year's:— Last Year. This Year. Horses 268 298 Competitions 185 154 Cattle 233 207 Sheen 624 771 Dogs 68 54 rigs 52 16 Produce 144 187 Horticultural 245 187 Totals W§ Zr: 1874 iticrease 55 Conversing with the Secretary of the Association (Mr G. R. Sykes), an Age reporter was given some interesting details regarding the entries received, and the cause of the increases or decreases.

JKegarding horses, Mr Sykes said that the chief section to be strengthened was the draughts. This was caused by a number of Hutt breeders entering their animals and visitors to. the Show would see a fine display of draughts.

Competitions show a decrease of 31, not a serious matter when spread over the numerous events. The chief cause of the slight decline this year, Mr Sykes considers is due to the fact that so many first-class animals are entered that owners are only tempted to compete when they have something pretty igood.

Cattle show a debit balance of 26 on last year. This is best explained by the fact that cattle was an exceptionally strong class last year. This year the fat section will, however, be a splendid exhibit, and there will be great competition for the handsome Manawa Cup. Sheep will constitute perhaps the finest exhibition of sheep ever seen in New Zealand. The most pleasing feature of the section is the evenness with which the classes are filled. The cause is not hard to seek. The Association has had donated to it for competition several magnificent trophies for the various classes. These trophies in detail are:—Cooper Cup in Romneys; the Quibell. Leicesters; the So'ithdown Shield, i ven by'the New Zealand Sheepb-folers' Association; Messrs Thom,«a and Cook's Cup, in the Farmers' Classes; and the Fison Cup for the Fat Sheep Classi s. The extraordinarily heavy list of sheep entries has entailed on the Association the purchasing of a hundred and fifty extra pens, which will tax to the utmost the accommodation of the grounds. It is likely that the number of sheep on exhibition will total 3,000. The section for dogs has receded by 14 entries, but this is not an im-po-tant and the entries vary according to no fixed circumstances. The large diminution m the pig section is accounted for almost solely by the absence from the entry list of one exhibitor who usu lly made a big entry, Mr E. J. White, of Palmerston Norm. This section is also one of the secondary exhibits in the way of stock.

It is pleasing to record that the produce section is very strong this year, particularly in the butter and cheese classes. The increase is 43 entries, and they are mostly in the dairy sections. Horticultural entries show a falling off of 58, the chief loss being in the school competition sections, jlc is hoped that this latter fact will not be a recurring one, as the Association lays great store by the work of the school children.

Taking altogether the entries indicate that the Masterton Show of 1909 will constitute one of the best exhibitions of stock and produce ever brought together in the Dominion, and that,for the general public and breeders of the district alike it will prove a source of great gratification.