104 
The Australasian i3ook of t>ouitry. 
by including I'oultry and Canaries, holding an Annual Show, the name of the Society that year being altered 
to that of the N.S.W. Pigeon, Canary and I'oultry Society. In 1880 the Secretaryship of this Society was 
vested in Mr. Gray, a position which he has held with great credit for the past seventeen 
years. Since 1880 the Society made progress by leaps and bounds, as, for instance, that year the schedule 
contained 153 classes, which brought forth 621 exhibits ; while at the show of 1896, the classes numbered 538, 
the exhibits numbering 2543. In addition, he has also for a number of years held the honourable position 
of a member of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of N.S.^V., and has rendered considerable 
and valuable aid to the Feathered Section particularly of that Society. In 1890 Mr. Gray was appointed as 
one of the three Judges by the N.S.W. Government Department of Agriculture to adjudicate on the awards 
for the " National Prize for the Best Poultry Farm in the Province," and he occasionally fills the position of 
Judge of Poultry and Pigeons at some of our Provincial Shows. 
Mr. Gray is recognised as a superlative organiser, and his management of the Champion Show, 
1896 (which was admitted by Intercolonial visitors and others to be far and away the largest and best ever 
held at the Antipodes), was beyond reproach, and called forth eulogiums on all sides from visitors and 
exhibitors. In 1882 Mr. Gray was the recipient of an illuminated address and gold watch and chain from 
the Fanciers of the colonies, and in 1885 a further compliment was tendered him by the presentation of an 
address and purse of sovereigns. He has been, and still is, a hard worker in the interests of Poultry, etc., 
and for years has carried out his duties as Hon. Sec. without clerical assistance ; but within the last few 
years it has been imperative, owing to the phenomenal growth of the Society, to receive some aid on this 
head. Mr. Gray's portrait appears among our "Australian Fanciers." 
To Mr. W. Tyzack, in the sister Colony of Victoria, a few words of praise are due, this gentleman being 
closely identified with the "Fancy" in a dual capacity, that of Editor of the Australian Poultry and Dog 
Gazette, and Hon. Secretary of the Essendon and Northern Districts Poultry, Dog, Pigeon and Canary 
Society, Victoria, which latter position he has held for the last seven years, he also being one of the founders 
of the Society, and which is in itself one of our Model Societies. The " Essendon " has survived through 
troublous times, during which the following Societies in Victoria have become defunct, viz. : AVarragul, 
Pakenham, Macedon, Geelong, anci Ballarat ; and in N.S.W., Newcastle, The United Fanciers, and 
Balmain. 
The 1897 Show of the Essendon Society was the most successful yet held, and this satisfactory 
result is principally attributed to the indefatigable exertions of the worthy Secretary. We cannot, in the 
interests of Poultry Fanciers, close our remarks without testifying to the great amount of interest 
displayed by the proprietors of the Australian Poultry and Dog Gazette in keeping its readers up-to-date on 
all matters in connection with the Fancy, and though the paper is yet quite young, now being but in its 
eighth year of existence, there is a great and promising field open for the prosecution of its labours, which, if 
left in the hands of the present Editor, may safely be depended on to bear good fruit. Mr. W. Tyzack's 
photograph appears among our " Australian Fanciers." 
Also prominent among those who have done so much for the Fancy is the worthy and energetic 
Secretary of the Royal Agricultural Society of N.S.W., Mr. Frederic Webster, to whom the thanks of Fanciers 
are due for the great encouragement offered, the Exhibitions of Poultry in connection with the 
Annual Show of the Society now occupying a foremost position-among the principal fixtures of the Colonies. 
But a few years back the inducements to exhibit were very limited, but this has now been completely 
changed, the Poultry Section advancing with leaps and bounds, the quality of the exhibits being also superior, 
and at the 1897 Show of the Society the cream of the stock in the Colony was exhibited, so that the 
outlook for Fanciers generally, and Poultry Fanciers especially, is bright and promising while the subject of 
our notice occupies the position which he now so ably fills. Mr. W ebster's photograph appears among our 
"Australian Fanciers." 
Before closing our remarks on the benefits and advantages derivable from Shows, we wish to still further 
note the steady advancement now taking place, attributable to the work of the different Specialist Clubs 
