Brisbane-Saturday 17 February 1906
Agricultural shows, the Allora Show
(From Our Special Representative.) ALLORA, Feb. 7.—The annual exhibition of the Central Downs Agricultural and Horticultural Association was held to-day under most pleasant conditions. The weather was perfect, being bright and warm.
His Excellency the Governor and Lady Chelmsford and their little daughter, The Premier (the Hon. W. Kidston), the Ministerial candidate for Warwick (Mr. O’Sullivan), and several members of Parliament were present, and also about 2000 people.
The pretty showground was a scene of great activity, and the side shows of various kinds did a brisk business during the day. There were 710 exhibits— about the same number as last year—but there has been a big change in the numbers for the various sections. Owing to the dry winter and spring, fruit and vegetables were not nearly so well represented as last year, but the loss in these was compensated by the increases in cattle and horses. There was an excellent display of horses, the draughts being good, and the hacks particularly so. In cattle, Mr. W. Keys was very successful with animals of a good useful type. The Holmes family swept the board for Ayrshire* with their Coolangatta strain, J. Holmes’ Probity of Coolangatta taking first prize for bull, and S. Holmes’ Florrie first for cow. The only classes for sheep were for butchers’ animals, and they were a fair lot. R. Gordon carried off all the principal awards for swine with his well-bred stock.
There were not many entries of fruit, and nothing special was shown except an exhibit of grapes by Mr. Mouldy, which were of very good colour and size. Corn is late, and the exhibits of maize were in the soft stage, but the cobs were good. A very promising feature of the pavilion was the fine display of cut flowers and pot plants, which added materially to the attractiveness of the building. There was a good entry for wheat, and H. Smith secured the blue ticket with a fine sample of Budd’s Early, going 681b. to the bushel; J. Hancock being next with some Luya. In the special class for Budd’s Early, a sample was shown which went 68 ½ lbs. to the bushel. There was little in the machinery section, but displays were made of Alpha-Laval separators by Waugh end Josephson, of Melotte separators and Campbell’s oil engines by Clark and Fauset; of separators by the Crown Company, and of windmills and Sharples separators by McLennan and Co.
The Vice-regal party arrived at Allora by special train, and was welcomed on the platform by the Mayor (Alderman Deacon) and a number of leading residents. An address of welcome, conveying the usual assurances of loyalty and good wishes for His Excellency, was read by the town clerk. Lord Chelmsford, in acknowledging the kindly sentiments expressed, said he hoped to be able to again visit Allora but he was beginning to learn what a large place Queensland was.
The opening ceremony at noon where the Governor officially declared the show open. Speaking from the steps of the pavilion, he congratulated the people of Allora on the splendid day they had for it. On Sunday he had wondered whether they would be able to hold the show. He had had a little experience of the black soil country in wet weather, and knew how difficult it was to get about. He had also to congratulate them on the splendid way everything was growing. He had much pleasure in declaring the show open. (Applause.)
