4o8 tiMEHRI. 



1893 1894 1895 1896 

 Class A. Plants ... ... 37 108 135 390 



„ B. Flowers and Floral 



Decoration ... 

 „ C. Fruits 

 „ D. Vegetables 

 „ E. Economic products 



(introduced 1894). 

 „ F. Miscellaneous 

 „ G. Poultry and Bees ... 



(introduced 1896) 



Total 23s 596 535 1,425 



It will thus be seen that the exhibits this year were nearly three times 

 as many as those of last year, and that the competition for prizes was 

 therefore necessarily keen. As a fact, although nearly $500 were 

 given in prizes, the number of prizes was out of all proportion 

 below what the competitions deserved. In certain seftions there 

 were 20, 30, 40, and in one extreme case even 60, entries for two 

 prizes, and many of the exhibits were often of a quality fairly entitled 

 to award. It would seem advisable that, instead of one or two fairly 

 large prizes being offered, four or more should be given for the more 

 common produfts, even though the prizes be not of any considerable 

 value. This would certainly lead to greater satisfaftion among the 

 general body of exhibitors, and would indeed be more equitable, since 

 many of the exhibits are often but slightly different in quality. 



The exhibition itself was very largely attended, and but for the 

 threatening weather in the afternoon no doubt larger numbers would 

 have been present. The mowing competition which was initiated 

 by His Lordship Bishop Swaby, proved to be of great interest, and the 

 special thanks ot the Committee are due to His Excellency, the Governor, 

 for allowing the competition to take place in the Government House 

 grounds. 



The special thanks of the Committee are due to the various gentlemen 

 who afled as judges in the various seftions : In Class A. Mr. G. S. 

 Jenman, and Mr. R. Ward; in Class B. Mr. James Rodway and Mr. 

 John Junor ; in Classes C. and D. Mr, J. F. Waby and Mr. W. T. 

 Binnie ; in Classes E. and F. Hon. B Howell Jones and Prof. Harrison ; 

 in Class G. Hon. A, R, Gilzean. Mr- H' Gamett and Mr. G. Bagot 



