The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-07-16 00:00:00

THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

The Royal Agricultural Show was opened at News
eastle-on-Tyne in its entirety on Monday morning
under the most favourable conditions, both as regards
the weather and the attendance of visitor's. It was a
five shilling admittance day; still the great stand,
fully 200 yards long in front of the Horse Ring, was
very well filled. It would be capable of seating 5000
or perhaps 6000 people comfortably. The ground
itself is admirably adapted for the show. About 90
acres are taken in from the moor, and there seems to
be room for half a million persons to move freely
about. The judges were punctually on the ground,
and all but those who had to settle the question of
superiority in the large horse classes were kept long
at their duties, the decisions being made known only
just befere closing time. Mr. Jacob Wilson, in a
short address to the judges, pointed out that the chief
aim of the society was to promote the breeding, and
not the feeding, of stock. The prize list, as regards
money value, was most liberal, amounting in all to
£7500.
Mr. A. C. Duncombe, of Calwick Abbey, Derby-
shire, the Earl of Ellesmere, Mr. Walter Gilbey, of
Elsenham Hall, Essex, and Mr. P. Blundell, of Ream
Hills, Kirkham, Lancashire, all won first prizes in the
shire stallions classes. In the Clydesdale stallions
classes Mr. Andrew Montgomery, of Nether Hall,
Castle Douglas, achieved most success, winning three
first awards and the chamnion prize of the classes
for the most useful kind of working horse. , Mr.
Alfred J. Smith, of Rendlesham, and Mr. Horace
Walton, of Newbourn Hall, Woodbridge, did best in
the Suffolk stallion competitions. The Marquis of
Londonderry's famous breed of agricultural horses
as usual brought him into the front of the iprize
winners in the thoroughbred stallion class. Mr. W.
Burdett-Coutts, M.P., beat all competitors with a
beautiful chesnut named Trnefit, bred by the la s. Mr.
C. Sne win g, of Hol mwell Farm, Watford, Herts ; and ha
i
also came first in the class for coaching or Clevi land
stallions, with a grand animal named Sultan. A well
known, Mr. W. Burdett-Coutts has given speci 1 at-
tention to the improvement of the breed of coaehing
horses, and be has succeeded to a remarkable degree.
The Earl of Ellesmere took the champion prize for
shire mare and:foal out of a big class; and in the
Clydesdale classes Mr. James Gilmour, of Montrave,
Leven, Fifeshire, carried off premier honours. Ti the
other claQses for horses the most successful exhibitors
were the Duke of Hamilton, Mr. F. W. Horsfall,
Lords A. and L. Cecil, Mr. W. Bauch, Lord Middle-
ton, the Earl of Elle.rnere, the Marquis of London-
derry, Mr. David Riddell, Mr. F. Wilson, Mr. R.
Chapman, Mr. J. H. Stokes. Mr. A. J. Brown, Mr. F.
Blenkin, Mr. R. J. Mann, Mr. C. H. Johnson, Mr. G.
Scoby, Mr. John Robinson, of Hull, Mr. William Pope,
and a few others, all well known as breeders or as
owners of the best of horseflesh.
In the rattle department of the Show there was so
much of what was excellent seen, that it is difficult to
give a detailed list of even winners of first prizes
wi'hout unduly entrenching upon sr ace. Mr. William
Handley, of Greenbsad, Milnethorpe, Westmoreland,
and Mr. T. H. Hutchinson, of Manor House, Catte-
rick, Yorkshire, took the champion and seve] al
others of the prizes for shorthorns. They are both
celebrated stock breeders, and have so long figured in
the chief prize lists of shows that it is almost super-
fluous to award them the praise their efforts in the
improvement of the shorthorns. has entitled them to.
Other big prize winners in the shorthorn classes were
Mr. J. Game, Mr. R. Thompson, of Penrith, Mr. D.
Pugh, M.P., and Mr. Prue Allen Thane,
of Uffington, Shrewsbury. In the Hereford s,
Mr. H. W. Taylor, of Showle Court, Led-
bury; Mr. W. Judge, of Leinthall, Ludlow; Mr. A. P.
Turner, of The Leem, Penbridge ; Mr. Rees Keen, of
Pen cr aig, Monmouthshire; and Mr. Stephen Robinson
of Lynhalee, Kingston, Herefordshire, were the chief
winners. Tbe Devons were a good show. In these
classes the names of Lord Falmouth, Mr. J. Howse.
Mr. A C. Skinner, Sir Win. Williams, and Mr. John
Walter occurred most frequently in the awards.
Su.sex beasts were much admired. Mr. J. God man,
Mr. J. Stewart Hodgson, Mr. W. B. Wateelow, and
Mr. W. S. Forster had the best record here. Red-
polled cattle were also an attractive feature of the
show. In the names of owners of prize-winners as
owners of this description of stock, the most con-
spicuous are those of Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P., Mr.
Tyssen Amherst, 311. P., and Mr. 3. Hammond.
The Aberdeen Angus breed of cattle is rapidly ex-
tending its influence to northern climates. These
cattle feed well, and are small-boned for the
weight of beef they render to the butcher.
Mr. Clement Stephenson, of Newcastle, Lord
lweedmouth, Major Dent, Mr. Andrew Mackenzie,
and the Earl of Strathmore were amongst the most
successful contributors to this class. Mr. Clement
Stephenson carried off most of the prizes, including
the champion premium. With regard to Highland
cattle, the Duke of Sutherland was invincible, win-
ning three of the prizes offered. The Ayrshire breed
was well represented, and the foremost names in the
prize-list were those of Mr. R. Osborne, Mr. M. J.
Stewart, Mr. R. Wilson, and Mr. J. Holm. The
Jersey and Guernsey classes were popular, especially
with the ladies. Mr. G. Simpson, of Wray Park,
Reigate, made his mark in the Jersey classes, whilst
Mr. W. A. Glynn, of Seagrove, Isle of Wight, and
the Hon. Mrs. Baillie Hamilton did best business
with their Guernsey beasts. Kerry and other sorts
of cattle may be passed over.
*Sheep made a splendid show in nearly all species.
The Leicesters were especially fine, and with this sort
of wool and mutton producers Mr. T. H. Hutchinson,
of Catterick, Yorke, secured most prizes. Cotswolds
were shown to perfection by Mr. Russell Swanwick,
of the Royal Agricultural College Farm. In the
classes for Lincolns and other well-known long-
woolled breeds of sheep there were strong competi-
tion. Oxfordsbires, Shropshires, and Doyens were
very numerous, the Shropshires especially so. The
Hampshire Down classes also were well filled, and the
Suffolks were not much behind either in quality or
number. Border Leicesters, a• most useful cross
between the Leicester and Cheviot sheep—hardy, and
giving a good yield of mutton—and the various
descriptions of purely mountain sheep have never at
any previous show appeared in the pens to more
advantage. In the classes for pigs some mountains
of flesh were seen, the Earl of Ellesmere showing in
the list of prize-winners in these classes, as also did
the Hon. Mrs. Meynell Ingram, Mr. P. Ascroft,
Mr. R. Benjafield, and other well-known breeders.
The kylesbury Dairy Company also ranked well in the
prize list. There was an excellent display of poultry.•
The Prince of Wales and Princes Albert Victor and
George of. Wales arrived by special train from
London at six o'clock on the opening day. They had
a hearty reception. Sir Matthew Ridley, Earl Percy,'
the Mayor of the city, and most of the aldermen and
councillors received the Royal party. Replying to
an address presented on behalf of the Corporation,
the Prince of Wales said he was glad to have again
the opportunity of visiting Newcastle. They proved
conclusively not only the strength of the personal
attachment of the people to the Queen, but the
daeply-rooted sentiment of loyalty to the Monarchy,
and the existing institutions of the country. After
staying in the _ Newcastle Central Station about ten
minutes, the train with the Royal party and several
invited guests went on to Plessey Station, which is
north of Newcastle and within easy driving distanes
of Blagdon, tie° seat of Sir Matthew Ridley. -
The Prince of Wales and his two sons were on the
show ground at Newcastle early on Tuesday, accom-
panied by a number of gentlemen who are guests of
Sir Matthew Ridley, at Blagdon. On their arrival
the Royal party were met by a large number of mem-
bers of the Council of the Society, amongst whom
were Lord Egerton of Patton (the president). The
aged Duke of Northumberland was also on the ground,
as was also Lord Armstrong. About 10,000 visitors
had entered the show yard before the Royal visitors
came in carriages from Blagdon. The escort was
composed of a troop of the Northumberland Hussars
(Yeomanry), of which the late Sir M. W. Ridley and
the present Lord Ravensworth were commanding
officers. In the Royal pavilion the party were received
by the Council of the Society, and the business
of the general meeting was shortly afterwards
opered. Lord Egerton of Tatton, the president, was
in the chair. The Prince of Wales, having pre-
sented the prizes, proposed a vote a thanks to the
civic authorities of Newcastle for the reception
accorded the society. Thanks were also accorded to
the local committee, to the freemen of the town for
the use of the moor, to the railway companies for
facilities afforded in connection with the meeting,
and to Lord Egerton of Tatton for his services as
president. On the motion of the President, Prince
Albert Victor was elected a member of the society,
and his Royal Highness thanked the members for
the honour conferred upon him. The Earl of Cath-
cart proposed, and Mr. Gibbons seconded the appoint-
ment of Sir Matthew White Ridley, M.P., as chair-
man of the society. Sir Matthew White Ridley
thanked the society for the honour of being appointed
their president, aad the proceedings concluded with
cheers for the Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales,
Prince Albert Victor, and Prince George. Their
Royal Highnesses afterwards witnessed the horse
parade, and inspected nearly all the best departments
of the show. The awards in the cheese, butter, and
honey competitions were announced. They were
numerous, but not generally interesting. Mr. Henry
Morris; of Melton Mowbray, showed the best six
Otiltons. At nine a select dinner party met fir
Matthew Ridley and his Royal guests at Blegdon.
'Among t them were Lord Armstrong, Sir Benjamin
Browne, Mayor, and Mr. W. H. Stephens, sheriff of
Newcastle, and Mr. W. B. Beaumont, M.P.