Untitled

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2538, 16 October 1888, Page 2

A few weeks ago we published particulars of a circular issued by the Sheep Department with reference to exhibits for the intercolonial wool show, which is to be held in January next, in connection with the Melbourne Exhibition. The greatest wool-producing districts of New Zealand are found in the South Island and Hawke's Bay, in the North Island. It is very certain that the flockmastersthereand others interested, will take pains to procure a representation worthy of the leading staple of the colony. Those districts will obtain prominence in the eyes of connoisseurs and visitors at the Exhibition generally, for the excellence of its- wool productions, and New Zealand, whose mutton enjoys an unrivalleci reputation abroad will, no doubt, be further able to give proofs of its magnificent pastures and climate by the heaviness and texture of the fleeces from Canterbury and Hawke's Bay. It is most desirable that the Waikato should share in the kudos which the Southern provinces will merit. The extent and importance of the pastoral interests in this part of the colony are small compared with other localities which have had the advantages of many years of peaceful and settled progress, capital and enterprise. There is, however, a considerable future before the Waikato in these pursuits when the same conditions are placed before it. But we should make our capabilities as widely known as possible, and there is hardly a better opportunity for so doing than the splendid advertising medium of the Exhibition. Shearing operations have now commenced in Waikato ; therefore, it is as well to remind the local owners of flocks to put aside and prepare for exhibition two or three of the. finest fleeces taken from each description of sheep. The sheep at Woodlands may be counted as amongst the best in New Zealand, and samples from the backs of the various kinds bred on that fine property would nllord a capital proof of the pastoral capabilities of this district. The Sheep Inspector, we. understand, is giving his personal attention to securing exhibits for the show, in which the Government are naturally anxious that New Zealand should take a distin--1 guished place. Sheep-owners should therefore communicate with Mr Oldham, the Inspector, notifying their intention to forward wool exhibits and seek from him any other information they may require with reference to the transmission of the parcels, the cost of which will be defrayed by the Government.