Canterbury Ploughman’s Success

Press, Volume C, Issue 29635, 4 October 1961, Page 12

Canterbury Ploughman’s Success

New Zealand last week demonstrated its prowess in a field relatively new to international competition but one of historic and continuing importance to national welfare the ancient art of ploughing. Canterbury people, in particular, have reason to feel proud of the performance of H. A. Magson, of Rokeby, near Rakaia, who came within four points of winning the world ploughing championship in a field of 32 competitors from 17 countries. Because nearly half of New Zealand’s crops are grown in this province it has been natural that Canterbury ploughmen should dominate national ploughing meetings; but, overseas, the performances of former New Zealand champions from Canterbury were a promising prelude to last week-end's achievement The first New Zea-

land champion, J. C. Brooker, was eleventh in England, R. M. Kingsbury was seventh in Germany, and, last year, B. J. McPhedran was tenth in Italy. This year in France a man of more mature years has surpassed all previous ploughmen from New Zealand. Mr Magson has confirmed predictions often made by competitors and officials that some day a New Zealander would be near the top. A modest man. Mr Magson has shown in New Zealand that he is consistent as well as skilful Year after year at national meetings he has been among the top competitors until this year he triumphed at Taieri. Men who have followed ploughing closely considered that if any New Zealander had a chance of top world honours it would be this quiet, persistent Mid-Canterbury ploughman. And so it has proved.