18 



these returns were made, and, in some cases, they were 

 finally withheld, in consequence of non-compliance with this 

 rule. Another plan was tried in 1806, when Lord Somerville 

 and Mr. J. King were appointed inspectors of dead weights, 

 but this was eventually abandoned ; and again, in 1837, the 

 Honorary Secretary undertook to inspect the weighing ; 

 but such difficulties occurred, and the accounts furnished in 

 later years by the butchers were so unsatisfactory, that in 

 1847 the collection of the dead weight returns was entirely 

 abandoned. It was revived in 1871, but, although every 

 means were taken to ensure accurate returns, these were 

 found to be so unsatisfactory that the collection and 

 publication of them were abandoned in 1876. 



At a meeting of the Council, in February, 1886, the 

 offer of prizes for carcases of meat was again suggested, and 

 a committee appointed to consider and report. For various 

 reasons, the chief of which was the want of a building 

 suitable for the purpose, this question of a " block test " 

 was found to be impracticable, and again in 1893, when the 

 question was revived the difficulties in the way of properly 

 carrying out the scheme through want of space, and the 

 impossibility of slaughtering the animals at the Hall, 

 proved insuperable. 



On the completion of the new Hall already referred to, 

 it was resolved to institute special slaughter classes at the 

 1895 Show, viz. two classes for steers, and for long-woolled, 

 and short-woolled wether sheep, four classes in all. The 

 animals to be exhibited alive on the Monday, slaughtered 

 the same night at the Metropolitan Cattle Market, and the 

 carcases returned to the Hall on Wednesday morning for 

 judging, exhibition, and sale. This new departure is well 

 supported, and has proved an interesting feature of the 

 Club's exhibition. For the centenary year, additional classes 

 were added, the interest in this department of the 

 Show being materially increased. 



Here it may be stated that particulars relating to the 

 different breeds, the judging and other regulations, prizes, 

 etc., with many other matters which have ruled from time 

 to time, have not been dwelt upon in this sketch, partly 

 from a desire not to break its continuity, and partly because 

 the information will be found in the minutes of the Club's 

 proceedings, which have been brought up to date, an index 

 to which is also given, and in the different tables and 

 appendices which complete this volume. Reference, 

 however, may be made to the fact that in the earlier 



