THE OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY'S SHOW.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 48, 30 November 1899, Page 31

THE OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY'S SHOW.

The annu il Sum-Tier Show of the Otago A. and P. Society was held on Thursday and Friday. The first day was devoted to judging, and the public attendance was confined to those immediately interested in matters pastoral. On the ' People's Day ' (Friday) those who were and tho3e who were nob directly interested in sheep and cattle, horses and piern, went out to Tahuna Park in their numbers, so that in the afternoon the attendance was up to the average. The display of agricultural implements and all kinds of ' notions ' for the saving of labour was very good, and the various stanHs devoted to michinery were a source of attraction to country visitors during the afternoon. As usual Messrs. Morrow, Bassett and Co. had a very representative display. Foremost among their exhibits was the McCormick r aper and binder, which is so generally used in the whole of the Colony, that it is superfluous to say anything about its many excellent points, which have by this time become well known from practical experience to most farmers. The firm had tweaty-four exhibits in all, and among these were a patent elastic steel horse collar and the Star mower knife grinder which grinds the knife at both sides at the sime time — a great saving of time. No agricultural show of any importance would be complete without specimens of the fine work turned out by that oldestablished firm of agricultural implement makers, Messrs. P. and D. Duncan, of Christchurch and Ashburton. Their drills, cultivators, double and single furrow ploughs, etc., have a reputation among the farming community, not alone of New Zealand but of the other colonies, gained by excellence of workmanship and finish that has stood the test of time and competition. Messrs. Mackerras and Hazlett had a tent wherein were shown samples of Messrs. Fletcher, Humphreys and Co's far-famed Canterbury cider, which has attained a popularity which its merits well deserve. Messrs. Nimmo and Blair had a fine exhibit of their ' Standard ' seeds inside their building, and outside the same firm showed a number of the ' Planet Jr.' implements for garden work, which were greatly admired. Messrs. Reid and Gray, whose agricultural implements have an Australasian reputation, were well represented with a splendid assortment of their latest improved machinery, consisting of double furrow ploughs, grain drills, and chaff cutters. As agents they exhibited a line of the well-known manufactures of Deering and.

Co., of Chicago, which comprised reapers and binders, mowers, hayrakes and knifegrivders. They had a fine display of BudgeWhitworth and Yellow Fellow bicycles. In addition there was a varied collection of grubbers, scarifiers, rollers and harrows, all of which came in for a good deal of attention from country visitors. Messrs. Barningham and Co., of Dunedin, had a superior display of cooking ranges, which are noted for their finish and economy in the consumption of fuel. One of these was shown in full working order, and the result was that with a small quantity of coal a very large amount of heat was produced, sufficient to raise to boiling point a large tank of water. A little implement which attracted more than ordinary interest was a wire strainer called the ' Electric,' shown at work by Messrs. Walsh. The tool is exceedingly useful, and no farmer should be without one. The facility with which the operator tightened a wire, cut and spliced it, and the neatness of the workmanship were the theme of favourable comment. The exhibit by M°Bsrs. Hordern and White, carriage builders, Dunedin, was an excellent testimonial of the high class of work turned out at their factory. A couple of buggies Bhown in their stand were very fine specimens of workmanship, the trimming and varnishing being all that could be desired by the most fastidious. The well-known Dunedin seedsmen, Messrs. Howden and Moncrieff were to the fore with a comprehensive collection of useful implements, including a combined cultivator and horsehoe, spray pumps, and setting for fruit trees, besides a lot of other useful and necessary garden requisites.