TAPANUI

Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 380, 16 August 1871, Page 5

TAPANUI

(From our own correspondent.)

I fully expected that I would have been ahle to send vou a full report of our maiden ploughing match last week, but was so much disappointed with the affair th.it I partly resolved to keep silent on the subject altogether. However, as the duties were untried to most of the Committee, it may be as wel! to record rhe successful part of the day's proceedings, and make an undiscriminating- allowance for the other. The ground chosen was a portion pf an unbroken paddock belonging to Mr James Rodger, and was about as suitable as any that could have been obtained within an easy distance of the township. The day was everything that could have been desired by the most anxious and fastidious competitor, and continued fine throughout. Only six ploughs were entered, a number of the settlers holding back, partly on account of shyness, and partly on account of something which I cannot describe. However, each of the six competitors who put in an appearance exhibited tangible evidence of a mutual determination to he satisfied with nothing short of first honors. I never had bfipn present at a ploughing match before, and had no idea that the event was capable of creating so much excitement and enthusiasm among those taking part in it, and was wholly taken by surprise on beholding the active eagerness displayed, almost amounting in one or two instances to temporary semi-dis-traction. I have been anr-ng men competing for fame and distinction in various walks of life, highly calculated to Call forth every energy possessed by the human mind and body, but never discerned the same limitless excitement as was displayed last Thursday. I have not the time, nor bave you the spacp* to admit of any instances of this enthusiasm to be given, although some of them were of a most ludi'T-us description, and productive of great merriment to the spectators. During the day the ground was thickly dotted over with lookers-on, who w-'ched the proceedings with interest, and expressed their Opinion of rhe work done prettv freely. Laterj on in the afternoon, the number of visitors greatly increased, and at one. time Could not have been far short of 150. The judges, who were strangers, were not long in completing their work. Mr John Dickison, senr., being awarded th« first prize of L5. This decision was greeted with general acclamation as the prizeman made beautiful work* the plough used being one made by Mr Rattray, of Balclutha, some ten or eleven vears ago. Mr Dickinson also took the prize for the best finish, which included a. book, value 10s 6d, gift of the proprietor of the * B U'",e Herald.' John Cleg horn took second, and Robert Currie third prizes, of L3 and L2 respectively. The other prizes were, hest feering, John Cleghorn ; best outs ami ins. Robert Currie; and first done, Alex. Whyte. A dinner took place at Noble's Hotel* in the evening ; but strange to sav no speeches were delivered, the Committee with one exception disappear ing simultaneously with the edibles This is much to be regretted, as a little talk would have added interest and importance *o the affair, and rendered it less liable to be fof-gotten. However, we shall expect better things next year. The dinner was well got np as is generally the ens-- at this Hotel, and deserves a word of praise in passing; I am gl»d to say the snarlet fever shows signs ot abating, although another of Mr Keir's children died on Saturday. This makes three out of onefamily, and bring., the total Up to five. There is an expectation of the school being opened in a week dr .w<J. Dr M'LaUchlan was most at-en-tive in every Case, and .urtwdnripd in his attendance* and it is not too much to say

that his efforts in a great measure 'pre* vented 'the spreading of this insiduotts disease.

! At the Resident iViagis'trate's (.otirl held, this week a case of more than ordinary [interest was tried. On. of our oldest i settlers was charged with ca.tl- fc-e_din£», [and so well was the prosecution gotnp and conducted by Constable : _?urdtte that the prisoner was committed to 'take his trial at the next sitting of the Supreme Court* -I'he bench was occupied bv Mr J. N. Wood, ft. M., and Mr W. tl. S. Roberts, J.P., and both gentlemen, ___ fitting language, complimented the constable for the cate, promptitude, and ability he had displayed in ge't'ing up the case. This was the more shown as tho prisoner was defended by Mr M'Goy* frond Lawrence. There are a £-w bthel- items I might add, but will reserve th-*m for mv next.