THE GROUNDS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10563, 20 February 1912, Page 5

THE GROUNDS.

The grounds themselves are in the

— . very pink of condition, and the arrungements are perfect in detail. During the year, numerous shrubs and ornamental trees have been added to the wealth of beauty furnished by the natural forest in the background. The lawn in front-, of the grandstand has been nicely trimmed, and the competition enclosure, which has been well watered, looks fresh and green. The business stands have been transferred from the main entrance to a more suitable position in proximity to the agricultural hall. The latter has also been considerably improved. New kennels have been provided for the dog exhibits, and up-to-date horse stalls are now in evidence. The side shows will, as before, be at the rear of the grandstand, so that they, will not interfere with " siaht-seers. The arrangements for the luncheon and afternoon tea, under the supervision'of Mr J. Shout, are perfect, and booths have been erected in suitable spots, from which soft drinks will be, dispensed.

THE EXHIBITS. ISpi The total number, of exhibits—--2200 constitute a record, being more than 209 in excess of the number shown last year. In the principal classes, however, there is very little variation in the figures, the increase being chiefly in produce, * of which there is an excellent display. The judging of stock commences at an early hour this morning, most of the judges having arrived yesterday. The judges in the different sections are as follow: Thoroughbreds and Light Horses, Messrs Jasl Bull junr., Hunterville, and D. Campion, Wangaehu, Wanganui; Draughts, Mr G. F. McCullough, Cambridge; Shorthorns, Mr Robert Hay, Christ-church; Herefords and Polled Angus, Mr A. S. Holms, Invercargill;. Fat Cattle, Mr W. Bird!ing, Waitara ; Jerseys and Dairy Cattle, Mr E. D. McLennan; Holstein-Friesian, Mr W, J. Dew, Nor ma tuby; Lincoln s, Mr C. T. Bamball, Waiuku, Auckland; Romneys, Mr Ernest Short, Parorangi, Feilding; Southdowns and Shropshires, Mr W. B. Andrew junr., Southlbridge, Canterbury ; Leicesters, Mr Edwin Kelland, Timara; Farmers' Classes, Mr A. McDonald, Ngakonui; Freezing and Fat Sheep, . Mr L. C. Gardiner, Riccarton, Canterbury ; Pigs, Mr J. 0. Batchelar, Palmerston North ; Dogs, Mr Paul Hunter, Porangahau; Agricultural Produce, Mr J. E. Macassey, Napier; Dairy Produce, Government Grader (Mr W. Graham); Horticultural: Vegetables, Mr W. A. Tate, Greytown ; Fruit, Mr T. Horton (Hastings) ; (Flowers, Mi' A. (M. Wighton, Palmerston; Bread, Cakes, Scones, and Preserve's, Miss Talbot and Mestlames W. J. Welch and M. J. H. Jackson; Knitting, Mrs A. Turner (Tupurupuru). In the sheep classes, the entries of Lincolns, Romney tMarsh, Southdowns and Lincolns are very s.trong, while there is a good show of Shropshires, notably a splendid line from Marlborough. In. Leicesters there are, in all, forty-rone entries, of-which nine will be shown in the section for iged ram. The chief competitors belong to the Wairaraipa, and embrace such well-known breeders as Messrs Bland Rayner, W. Bayner, Trustees ate D. McMaster, D. McGregor and &V, E. Anderson. intries, but the only exhibitors are Messrs S. R. Lancaster and Bros. The contest between these two ,vell known Manawatu breeders is expected to be very keen. Border Leicesters have only proiuced twelve entries, the chief breeders represented "being Mssrs T. W. kVardel!,. 3, A. Welch, and_ Slack Bros, As Is usual in this -part of the lountry,. the Romney section will be ;he .strongest in the show. There are, n all, 130 entries in this section, including sixteen in the class for aged •am, and twenty-five in the section 'or ram under, twenty-one . months. I'he exhibitors include . such wellmown breeders as W. H- Buiek, P. Vlungavin, A. and J. Gray, J. E. rJewitt, A: L. Wheeler, W. B- Allen, E. Allen, W. Rayner, R. Tanner, Holmes Warren, J. H. Tatliarn, W. E. Bidwill, and Mrs H. 'S\. Hadfield. Hie Association has been in securing as a judge in this section }iich a well-known authority on Romlevs as Mr Ernest Short, of Paro•angi. Mr Short has also entered one )r two of his own sheep "for exliibi:ion only." Southdowns, which are largely used n this district for producing early aimibs, have also -produced fine comjetition, there (being no fewer than linety-two' entries in the section:. The jreeders include Messrs A. J. fctoneWicg, J. McGregor, Nelson 8r05.,. W. H. Booth, Ellis Bros., Mrs B. E. Slack, S. R. Lancaster,, and W. Rayner. In the class for ram under twenty-one months, there are eighteen Competitors. Shropshires are usually »t .a strong feature at the show. On tins Dccasion, however, added interest has j been lent to this fine old mutton breed , by a splendid entry from Mr' H. D. i Vavasour, of Marlborough. There are, altogether, forty-eight entries in the section, represented by Messrs ( Vavasour, J. C., McKillop and Don-! aid's Estate. j The farmers' classes are, as in former years, well represented, there being thirty-six entries. The freezing classes aje particularly strong, the competition being among such- wellknown breeders as W. C. Buchanan, W Perrv, W. IT. 'Beetham, H. H. Beetham,* R. Buick, John Strang, H. McLaren, W. McKenzie, J. E. Perry, G. McKay, McKenzie Bros, P. H. Nathan, and Shaw and Son. The fat sheep classes are also well filled, including most of the breeders in the

freezing classes, with a number added.

The cattle division, always a prominent feature of the Masterton show, is this year possibly stronger than ever. Shorthorns, of which there are thirty-ono entries, are represented by such well-known breeders as W. C. Buchanan, W. H. Booth, W. T. Wliliams (Te Aute), F. E. Perry, and J. L. Blundell. | Grade Shorthorns, which are regarded by breeders somewhat in the light of a superfluity, will be represented by J. Strang, J. McLeod and W. H. Booth. There are twenty-five entries 1 in all. ' ■ - ' I Herefords have brought out strong competition. Mr G. F. Moore, of Rai Iwi, lias a big entry, while Mr E. Short is showing several of his best beasts. Other competitors are the Estate late H. James, J. C. McKillop, and D. McKenzie. Altogether there are thirty-three entries in the class. J Polled Angus are again unrepresented at the Show, and why this breed should be retained in the catalogue, the Programme Committee best. knows.-

There is a fairly good entry in Ayrshire?, the exhibitors .being R. C. Fowler, F. Foid, and A. E. Booth.

Jerseys constitute a strong section in the cattle division. In all there are thirty-four entries, the exhibitors including such well-known breeders as E. Eagle junr., A. E. Booth, W. Abbott, S. R. Lancaster, T. Dixon, and J. Billington. Holstein-Friesians, which are coming into popular favour among dairymen, have produced splendid competition _ There „ are twenty-nine entries, and the breeders include A. J. Galliehaii, J. Hart, W. I. Lovelock, G. Milligan, W. O. • Bayliss, W. O'Connor, and J. Donald. There are fifteen entries in dairy cattle, which are of fair average quality.

The show of fat cattle will be one of the best ever seen in the district. The breeders include G. V. Moore, W. H. Beetham, T. McKenzie, J. and H. Holmes, J. C. McKillop, C. J. Bennett-, H. Morrison, E. Short, W. H. Boothj .W. C. Buchanan, and W. iMace. In the pen of two bullocks no fewer than eighteen entries will face the judge

The horse classes, particularly the miscellaneous, are well up to the average. There is not a large entry of thoroughbreds, but in trotters there is good competition, wlh'le there is a satisfactory entry of ponies. The hack classes, with one or % two exceptions, have filled remarkably well. Only a portion of these will be judged today. For the list hacks there are no fewer than nineteen contestants, including a number of previous prize •winners, while in 13st hacks there are twelve entries. A fine .show of weight carriers will also be made. Draught horses are well represented though it- is unfortunate that there is not a single eft-try in stallions. This is due, .no douht, to the fact that the season has just ended. Taken altogether, the. eitry in this section is a. very creditable one.

The whole of the competitions liave produced splendid entries. The trotting, walking, pony jumping, turning, maiden jumpiffig, and hunters' leaping competitions will be taken today. In the latter tli'eire are no fewey than twenty eompettftwrs for "the Buick Challenge Cup' including several recent winners.

The dogs, of which there is a satisfactory entry, will lie judged tomorrow. lir ,sheep dogs and spaniels there will be a splendid display. The show of pigs is, numerically speaking, almost a disgrace to the district, there being an entire absence of Berkshires -and Yorkshires, and only a few entries of Devons and fat pigs.

The dairy produce section, which will be exhibited in the agricultural hall and judged to-morrow, has brought out a fine display. In the butter for export class there will be keen competition, while there" are no fewer than ten factories competing in the cheese class. Separator butter, 'home - and scones, cakes, etc.,,;/wiif be well represented, while there will be a very fair display cf dressed poultry, honey and preserves. The agricultural produce will be a distinct j feature of this division of the show.

In horticulture, there will be some satisfactory exhibits, though the competition is not strong. The children's classes have .filled remarkably well, and the competition between the respective schools will be watched with interest

The grand parade of stock will take place to-morrow afternoon.