The Wairarapa Daily MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1883. THE LATE PASTORAL SHOW.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1532, 12 November 1883, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1883. THE LATE PASTORAL SHOW.

*. Wb have before us a catalogue dS the entries of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Show recently held at Lee3ton, a country town of the Middle Island, and it may be worth while noting tho. points of difference between it and our own local institution. In the first place the Ellesmere show was a smaller affair than our own, its aggregate of entries being but 382, against our 531, but an analysis of the entries typuld suggest that though numerically weak, they were better distributed than our own, With us four-fifths of the entries were represented by sheep, cattlo, and horses, At Ellesmere these classes only amounted to one half of the number of entries In the Wahw #pa, pigs, poultry,, implements, and industrial exhibits only represented a fifth part of the show; at Ellesmere, excluding poultry, which very wisely we omitted from the show, they constitute all but the half of the total number of exhibits, We caunofc help thinking that tho lines on which tho Bllcsmero show are based, are likely to be more popular than our own, They certainly must interest a larger number of persons, It is objected to our own meeting that it is almost a sheep show. In sheep, the Ellesmere schedule had fewer classes than ours, and this, in our opinion, is a decided advantage. The way classes—or sections, as they are called in the Wairarapa—are multiplied, seems to those who are uninitiated an absurdity. In Lincolns. for example certificates, valuable certificates which may possibly cost the Society a shilling each, are given for—km rams under 18 months, and for one jam under 18 months; for two rams 6ver 18 months, and one ram over 18 months; for two ewes over 18 months, and one ewe over 18 months; for two ewes under 18 months, and one ewo . under 18 months, &c. Ellesmere eliminates a number of these apparently superfluous classes, but even it is too , prodigal. Can wo bo surprised that tho judging practically breaks down under tho strain of too multitudinous subdivisions, and that till the Show is over, visitors are unable to distinguish one pen from another, For all practical purposes, our nine classes of Lincolns might bo reduced to two, viz., (1) the best ram, (2) the best ewe. Judges could then get through their work in good time, and the successful exhibitor could carry off a far more valuable trophy than the Sooiety could otherwise offer. Another point on which the Ellesmere Society appears to exercise a sounder discretion than the Wairarapa Society, is in the matter of entrance fees. At Ellosmere these charges are just double tho rates levied in the Wairarapa. It is true the Southern Society does not have as many entries, probably with a formidable rival like the Uhristckrch Show coming immediately afterwards and tripping up its heels, it cannot expect a great number, but it makes a larger revenue out of entrances than the Wairarapa Society does, and this fact is worthy of consideration, It is quite possible that if the Wairarapa Society makes out a really good prizo schedule next year, it could bring its entry fees up to the Ellesmere' scale, One possible fault appears to be common with both societies. They offer awards in classes in which it is known tbat there will be no competition, or at the most but one exhibitor. From a commercial point of view, it would be a wise policy to strike out half the classes in both catalogues, and only give prizes where thero is a demand for them, and where there is a reasonable prospect of competition. The Wairarapa, for example, taken up classes in poultry, horticulture &c, in which the-miserable weakness of exhibits simply damns tho general effect of tho show. Tho schedule, as it were, wants pruning with a vigorous hand! Out out the weak shoots, givo liberal support to the stronger ones which are worth nourishtog, and then the show would soon cease to be the partial failure it has been this year I The tendency of shows of this kind is to get into certain grooves and continue in them year rafter year, whether they happen to be right or wrong ones. That' there are weak _ points in our annual pastoral exhibition must be admitted by even fliemost enthusiastic supporters of it, Our object in the remarks we have made has been to call attention in a friendly spirit to their existence, so that they may be remedied, We believe that tho future success of the Wairarapa Society depends upon it recasting its programme. An official notice in another column states that thaMasterton Rifle Volunteers will fire for district prizes on the 17th nutant, and the cadets on the 24th iDBt. Employers of labor will notice in our advertising columnii that Messrs latum and Munro havo opened a labor exohange in Manners street, Wellington. They have a large number of daily applications for every description of labor, so that station holders and others can rely upon getting men at a day's notice when required. With an institution of this kind there should no longer fee any difficulty to getting labor.

A testimonial will be presented'to Mr lulton this oveniug at the Club Hotel, John Smith, an elderly inebriate,, was ned five shillings this morning at Mas-! erlonby Mr Lowes,' J,p\ A final notice to shareholders lu the lasterton Theatre Royal Company, imited, appears in another column, .Mr Pear, of Willis Street Wellington, alls attention in an advertisement to his mproved "White maohine," Kilting naohine, and Knitting maohlno, Tenders are invited to noon of Friday !Brd inst., by the Masterton Highway 3oard for G1.94 chains formation, and XM chains metalling on the Upper )paki Line. Tho first squad of the Groytown Rifles under Captain Tully and Lieutenant Cameron, fired for the annual classification | on Saturday, Lieutenant Oameron and Corporal Sayer being top scorers with 61 each. Tho full scores will be given in to-morrow's issue. On Saturday last, Messrs Lowes and lorns sold 33 feet of frontage in Queenstreet near tho Theatre Royal for £l7O, Two other properties wero withdrawn, but are expeotrd to be placed by private treaty to-day, A property in the Whareama, of convenient access, containing 130O.acres good land, fenced, &c, with dwelling house and necessary buildings, is offered for sale, together with 1300 sheep. Particulars are to be obtained at the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency branch, at Masterton. At tho Ohristohuroh Agricultural Show the following champion medals for sheep were given j-R. Campbell and sons, 3 j A. McMaster, Wairarapa, 1; Hon. Mi Holmes, Otago, 8; Haydon, Canterbury, 1; M, and A, Company, Otago, 2; J, R. Laird and Co,, Otago, 2; J, Reid, Otago, 2; J, Deans, Christchurch,. 2; Dudley, O'Northey, 2. The annual festival of the Greytown Juvonile Mutual Improvement Society, which took tho form of a picnic, was held at the " Willows," kindly placed at their disposal by Mr Cotter, on Satarday, and was a marked success. About 400 men, women, and children assembled and made high holiday with different games, such as swings, cricket, races, rounders, drop-the-handkerchief, ik, k The refreshment part of tho programmo was also o success, thanks to the parents of tho children, and was done full justice to, Great praißo is due to Mr W. C. Nation for hia untiring efforts in making tho meeting a success. Judging from tho following extract from tho Post we may assume that the now Minister for Public Works is to bo regarded as a baby at the breast, deriviug his political sustenance from nurse Johnston:—" It is rumored that, as Mr Walter Johnston does not purpose leaving for England before next April, he may possibly remain for the present a member of tho Cabinet without portfolio, holding, in fact, much the samo. position as Mr Oliver did prior to his appointment as Postmaster.General. Mr Johnston, in that oase, would probably act as a sort of honorary assistant Minister for Publio Works, and would bo able to" eoach" his new and loss experienced colleaßue and successor in that department." Our Fire Brigade sinco its contest with Wellington has had but little rest, We reported in our last issue a midnight false alarm, and in our present one we have to record two genuine fires, A fire broke out at twenty minutes to twelvo on Saturday night in tho store formorly occupied by Mr Wilton, at Kurupuni. Fortunately it was at once observed by a man returning homo, who roused tho neighborhood by yelling " Fire!" at tho top of his voice. Tho neighbors, among whom 'was Fireman Mawhinay, managed to subdue the flames before tho arrival of the fire engine, which, considering the intervening distanco, was very quickly on tho scone, The firo' originated in a lean to, and but for tho prompt action of the settlers in tho vicinity would have destroyed tho building, People who returned to their beds after the Kurupuni opisodo were again roused shortly beforo seven in the morning by a still more emphatic peal on tho fire bell than tho ouo which notified the previous ovont. A black asconding column of smoko near tho Wosloyan Church showed that this time something serious was the matter, A goneral rush was made for the scone, and tho particular building which was being devoured proved to be that protty and well-kept cottage belonging to Mr Hoare. The roof was ono mass of flame, and the building was regarded as hopelessly doomed, The first arrivals busied themselves by dragging out the furniture, tearing out doors and windows from their holdings (thereby fanning the flames as well as destroying property.) However, the Fire Brigado came on with a rush; both engines were brought out and placed into position, Water was convenient, and soon three branches were fighting tho flames. In a very few minutes the Brigade won the battle, and it is a feathor in their caps that.they should have done so, Give a fire in a wooden building with shingled roof a little start and the odds are against the firo engines, A large crowd assembled, who were delighted to see the Brigade able to conquer a building with a roof one mass of flame. It appears that Mr Hoare was lighting the fire in the morning when flame Buddonly appeared above tho mantlepieco. One of his sons rushed round into Queon-street, and rang the fire boll. The promptitude with which tho bell was rung and responded to by: the Brigade saved the body of the building, We believe the origin of the firo to be the "old, old story"—a defeotivo chimnoy, The promises, which stands on ground leased from the Wesley,™ Trust by Mr Hoare, are insured for J=lso in the North British, and probably a moiety of that sum will restore them. The statement of the accounts of tho Wairarapa East County Council are published in another column, Tho pumpers at the late firo will, he paid at Mr Sollar's office on Tuesday evening at 7,30. Tho San Francisco mail arrived ; at Auckland on Saturday night, and the Union Company's steamer Hawoa left Manukau yesterday morning with the Southern portion for New Plymouth and Wellington. She is oxpected to reach Wellington about 12 o'clock to-night. Another visit from tho" healer," Mr G. M. Stephen, may bo looked forward to shortly, According to advices received by a Wellington lady the other day from Mr 3 Stephen, her. husband and self are at present at Brisbane, and doing well there, Mr Stephen's power has increased rather than diminished, They purpose leaving Sydney by the 'Frisco mail steamer on the 29th instant, and will work their way south from Auckland as they did at their Inst visit.—N. M, Times, Mrs H. F, Smith, of Claroville, notifies that sho is open to engagements as monthly nurse, and that sho has had fourteen years experience in this line. The Government olass firing by the Masterton Rifles commenced on Saturday last at the Manaia butts. In the 2nd class at 600 and 600' yards, ten writ up and ajl succeeded in passing, but in the 3rd class at 200 and 300 yards, two out of tho thirteen that went up failed to get the required number to pass, fUrp & Hake's 2s 6d tea unequalled; for purity and fam, Tw K HtoYT,

The' Government have replied tj remonstroncep of the' Wellington Harbor j, Boardjabout the-Government.resuming . possession bE their-reclaimed endowment . for the purpose of ft printing--pice alt* \ The Premier sayi'that the Government, c. are not able, as the law stands, to give to n the Board any compensation for the land p in question, nor lo assure that, ah equivalent, whethor in. land or money, shall be given, but - they believe as a matter of polioy an endowment once given lo a public body such as the Harbor, n Board shall not be taken away without -g reasonable compensation. The Govern- •» ment will therefore reoommend Parlia- , ment next session to amend the law on J the subject so as to enable this or any b similar case to be dealt with on its merits, :