CANTERBURY HOP FAIR.
The Canterbury hop fair opened on Tuesday the 8th and closed on Saturday the 12th inst. The number of samples brought, far exceeded the expectation of the Committee, over 2,000 pockets being represented either by pockets or samples. Some of the London factors were present the first and last day, and one was present each day, but made no purchase. One factor stated that he had a commission to purchase 300 East Kent pockets, but the price did not suit. A great number of planters were present, including the principal men in the neighbourhood. Several brewers from different parts of the kingdom attended, but the prices asked asked did not meet their views; some small transactions however were the result the fair. In the course of the week, one large sale was made to our own brewers, but the largest that took place in the room was 56 pockets. The brewers alleged that the prices asked were too high, hence the reluctance to purchase, but the planters answered that the prices asked, were not more than equivalent to the short crop of the year.
The following gentlemen among others, visited the fair: Mr. T. Hilton, Nackington; Mr. S. M. Hilton, Bramling House; Mr. G. Eley, Tong, Sittingbourne; Mr. Carter, Kennington; Mr. Sidney Cooper, Vernon Holme; Mr. P. Marten, Canterbury; Mr. Thomas Cooper, Canterbury; Mr. Charles Collard, Canterbury; Mr. A. Cannon, Canterbury; Mr. T. W. Collard, Canterbury; Mr. John Bushell, Canterbury; Mr. H. Cooper, Canterbury; Mr. S. D. Ewens, Harbledown; Mr. Castleden, Canterbury; Mr. Theobald, Godmersham; Mr. Gardner, Bekesbourne; Mr. Day, Chilham; Mr. Collins, Bridge; Mr. Chaplin, Lyminge; Mr. Daniels, Lyminge; Mr. Gibbs, Blean; Mr. J. G. Elwin, Blean; Mr. Wraight, Blean; Mr. Anderson, Blean; Mr. Wallace, Blean, Mr. Birch, Boughton-Blean; Mr. Butcher, Boughton-Blean; Mr. Berry, Boughton-Blean; Mr. Tassell, Bridge.
Amongst those who visited the market were the following gentlemen connected with the trade in London. Mr. J. West, Mr. Beeman, Mr. Kemp, Mr. Mockett, and Mr. Manwaring.
The following official report of prizes has been forward the Secretary:— "The undersigned prizes have been awarded by the judges for the best samples and the best management."
"BEST SAMPLES"
1st prize, Mr. S. Cladish, Blean, Canterbury. £10 growrr; £5 dryer.
2nd prize, Mr. H. Theobald, Godmersham. £5 grower £1 dryer.
"MANAGEMENT"
1st prize, Mr. H Cooper. £2 to dryer.
2nd prize, Mr, Charles Collard. £1 to dryer.
Mr. Robert Berriman, of Petersfield, Hants, had the first prize for quality, had they been dried up to the mark."
R. HAMILTON, Secretary.
Mr. Robert Berriman, of Petersfield, Hants, whose hops were highly commended by the Judges of samples at Canterbury Hop Fair, won the first prize for quality and a prize for management, at the Royal Agricultural Show at Canterbury in 1860.
…