AN AGRICULTURAL SHOW IN THE ISLAND OF SOUTH UIST.-The first of what is intended to be series of annual shows’ was held in a field near the centre of the island of South Uist on Thursday last under the patronage of Sir Reginald and Lady Cathcart, who are at present in the island.
There was an excellent show of Highland cattle and horses, and some very good vegetables, dairy produce and knitted articles. There were two classes – namely, farmers’ and crofters’, in the case of cattle, horses, and vegetables.
The principal prize-takers for horses were Sir R. Cathcart, Messrs John Ferguson, Bornish: Charles M’Lean, Milton: Ranald M’Donald, Ormiclate ; Rev. R. M’Donald,’ and Rev. John M’Intosh, Bornish; and for cattle-Sir R. Cathcart, Messrs Charles M.Lean, R. M.Donald, Ormiclate; Rev. R. M’Donald, Drimsdale; T. Ferguson, Bornish; and Mrs M’Donald, Gerinish.
There was excellent competition among the crofters in some sections, and some of the ponies, shown were specially admired. Homespun tweed and knitted hose, &c., were well represented, and Lady Cathcart, who judged this class and the dairy produce, expressed herself as highly pleased with the numerous exhibits. The bagpipe competition was a source of much pleasure, and the pony trotting and leaping also attracted much attention.
After distributing the prizes, her ladyship drove off the field amidst enthusiastic cheering. No intoxicating drink was allowed to be sold, and the affair passed off in the best order and without any unpleasant brawls, such as frequently occur at markets and similar gatherings in the district.
A very melancholy occurrence happened, however, in the morning, which cast a gloom over the gathering. A young man, Malcolm Macaskill, residing at Loch Boisdale, who was driving a cart loaded with bread and temperance refreshments, which he was to sell at the show, having fallen from the cart in front of the wheel, was run over, and died in an hour’s time.