KAIAPOI.

Press, Volume V, Issue 558, 13 August 1864, Page 3

KAIAPOI.

PLOUQHIKO HATCH.

We mentioned yesterday that the ploughing match «ader the direction of the MandeTiUe Farmers Clab %V plOOglifng ¥M Completed bj *bont Toxar o'clock P-bl, when the judges entered the field to gi»* eIP *«*£ so in point of -merit. tJrmi; more than two j k«Miekpe«a before they WtM .Wβ tO fil Upon tb« cwupetitora to Trhom the prizes should be awarded. At KTen o'clock an adjournment was made to the KwkMmi Hotel, -where about 3O persone sat down to * dinner prepared in a style Which reflected ewdit on the worthy host and hostess. Dr. Dudley oocapied the chair, Mr. A. A. Dobbe acting as vice. After the removal of the cloth, the customary loyal toeste haring been responded to, the judgea handed in their report—we shoald hare stated that Mwere. G. Duncan, W. Boag, and W. Conp had been chosen to officiate in this capacity. They stated that they t h»d had great difficulty in coming to a decision, bn feaa finally determined that the competitors ehoold take rank in the following order:—First prize, a »** er

cup, Talne £10, Mr. Lorrimer ; second do, £7, Mr Spriggins; third do, £5, Mr. Gregg ; fourth <\o, £3, Mr. Edwards; fifth do, £2, Mr. Butrick. Nos. five and ten were also highly commended. In the second •lass the ploughing was not so good as mi?ht have been expected, but they allotted a prize of £1 to Mr. Atkinson. The prizes were then presented by Mr. Dudley. The challenge cup presented by Mr. White was to have been presented at the same time to Mr. Wallis, the winner last year, but he was unfortunately not present. Mr. Rickman then rose to present to Mr. W. White, in the name of the subscribers, a testimonial in token of their appreciation of the eminent services he had rendered to the district of Kaiapoi. Mr. Rickman observed that every one present knew how Talunble Mr. White's serrices had proved in bridging the Watmakariri, and opening up the traffic to the north of the province. It was abo,.t two years since Mr. White made an otter to the Provincial Government to construct a bridge across the Waimakariri at Felton's, and though every obetacle was thrown in has way, both by the Government and the professional engineers, he had labored on, and they now had the_ result of hie labors in a good strong bridge, over which heavy drays and vehicles such as Cobb's coach could pass with perfect safety. Again, when the river was flooding the road and washing away the bank Mr. White came to the rescue, and if he were to be asked, he could probably eveu now, doctor the Waimakariri, and curb its violence. On behalf of the subscribers, he had great pleasure in presenting Mr. White with a gold watch and chain, together with a brooch for Mrs. White, of whose services when mistress of that hotel they had a grateful remembrance. The watch had the following inscription entjraved on the case: —" Presented to Mr. William White as a testimonial for his energy and enterprise in suceosfully bridging the Waimakariri, and otherwise facilitating the traffic on the North road, Kaiapoi, August 11, 1864." j Mr. White, in returning thanks, said that he had been attempting for the last five weeks to prepare a epeech for that occasion, and lie thought he should i find it an easierjob to prepare a plan for banking the Waimakariri. He could not acknowledge the present that had been made Mm in a long epeech, but they must pardon him if he only said, in a few words, that he heartily thanked them all. Mr. White resumed his seat amid loud applause. Dr. Dudley then proposed the health of Mrs. White, which was received with cheers. Mr. White briefly responded. He said that he wished the Mandeville Farmers' Club every success, and had always tried to do what he could to further their interests. He was very glad to have presented the challenge cup, and should be most happy to give another as soon as that was won. Several other toasts were drunk, including the Ploughmakers of Kaiapoi, the Judges, the Successful and Unsuccessful Candidates, and the Bushmen of Kaiapoi, and after passing a very pleasant evening agreeably diversified by several capital songs, the meeting broke up. Yesterday the match for the challenge cup presented by Mr. White was proceeded with, in spite of the heavy rain and strong S. W. wind. There were six entries for this match, including Mr. Wallis, the holder of the cup from last year, but two of the number declined to face the weather. The remainder made their appearance on the ground, and did their work in first rate style, but we have received no account of the proceedings. In concluding this report we must thank the Hon. Sec., Mr. Norman, for the courtesy he shewed in giving our reporter all necessary information. A Sthakgk Spbcimtot.— At Mr. Missen's Exchange Hotel, a bird is to be seen the head and body of which are the body of a hen, the wings, legs, and tail are belonging to a duck. It is a cross between a wild duck and a hen.