SPECIAL EVENT HELD AT RAKAIA PLOUGHING

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30171, 1 July 1963, Page 15

SPECIAL EVENT HELD AT RAKAIA PLOUGHING

The Rakaia Ploughing Match Association, which held its annual maitch at Rokeby on Saturday, had no qualifying maitch this year for the New Zeeland championship, but in its place it held an everut for ploughmen who have already qualified and those who are still seeking to qualify. The strong field of 11 which this event aittracted included two former New Zealand champions, and was held on the property of Magson Brothers—one of the brothers is Mr H. A. Magson. who was second in the world championship in France two years ago and is this year president of the Rakaia association.

The winner was E. J. Croy, of Wakanui, who has been well placed in several national championships. He was third at Timaru three years ago to B. J. McPhedran and Magson, and he has been fifth twice. A Wakanui farmer, he qualified this yeay at the Hinds match. Close behind him was McPhedran, of Taiko, South Canterbury, who was national champion in 1980 and is competing again for the first time this year. McPhedran did an outstanding finish and won the prize for the best finish on the ground. Behind him was R. M. Kingsbury, also of Wakanui, who was national champion in 1058. The judging panel included Messrs D. J. Stewart (Rakaia) and J. S. T. McGiffert (Sefton), who will be among the judges art the national final art Rotorua later in the month, and A. L. Coleman (Ladbrooks). Mr McGiffert said it was as good a class of ploughmen as he had seen this year. There had been no particularly poor work—all had ploughed well. Good Finishes Mir Coleman said that there had been one of the best line of finishes that he had seen, with that of McPhedran out-

standing. To allow the ground to thaw out a little after a stiff frost , the start of the maitch was delayed for about 30 minurtes. Mr Colema® said thart the ground had been a little deceptive, and there had been holes in the work of a good many competitors. A most successful competitor at the match was the veteran ploughman, G. J. S. Smith, of Rakaia. Smith, aged 50, was the oldest competitor ait the match. He won four trophies, including two for the best district ploughman. He has been match ploughing for about 43 years and until a few months ago was working in a grain store in Rakaia. The Rakaia association had

plaruned to hold a class for high cut ploughing and had three entries from South Canterbury, but for reasons beyond the control of the association none of the entrants was able to be present art the maitch. ft would have been the first occasion for eight or nine years that such an event had been held.

Results were:— Open Silver Plough Class.— E. J. Croy, 148.32 points. 1; B. J. McPhedran. 142.33, 2; R. M. Kingsbury, 139.95, 3; J. R. Brown (Westerfield), 137.85, 4; J. C. Kyle (Timaru), 131.96, 5. Double Furrow. Coulter Cut.— G. J. S. Smith 1, P. N. Porter (Timaru) 2. J. G. Carter (Templeton) 3. Break, finish and straighest ploughing: J. G. Carter.

Three Or More Furrows. Coulter Cut.—A. V. Inch (Methven) 1, A. Seyb (Timaru) 2. Break, finish and stralghtest ploughing: A. Seyb. Two Or More Furrows. Hydraulic and Trailer, Youth Under 19 Years, Plain Ploughing.—W. N. Begg (Ashburton) 1. G. Houston (Timaru) 2. Break: G. Houston. Finish and stralghtest ploughing: W. N. Begg. Three Or More Furrows, Hydraulic And Trailer, Plain Ploughing.—K. Smack (Ashburton) 1, R. Merrin (East Eyreton) 2, E. S. Kay (Charing Cross) 3, R. Scott (Rangiora) 4. Break: R. Merrin. Finish: N. Holmes (Rakaia). Stralghtest ploughing: R. Scott. Four Furrows. Hydraulic And Trailer, Plain Ploughing.—B. Ede (Ashburton) 1, 3. Hewart (Rakaia) 2. P. McCartin (Cherstey) 3. Break, finish and stralghtest ploughing: P. Watson (Methven). Two Or More Furrows, Young Farmers' Club. Hydraulic And Trailer, Plain Ploughing.—J Scott (Rangiora) 1, G. W. R. Inch (Rakaia) 2, G. Smith (Hororata) 3. Break: J. Scott. Finish: J. Stalker (Greenpark). Straighest ploughing: G. W. R. Inch.

Special prizes were awarded as follows:—Best break and finish in cut classes, J. G. Carter; best break in plain ploughing, R. Merrin; best finish in plain ploughing. N. Holmes; best break on ground. R. Merrin; best finish on ground, B. J. McPhedran; Holmslea tankard for champion ploughman on ground, J. G. Carter; Pye Challenge Cup for best district ploughman. Ballins challenge trophy for best district ploughman McCall’s Challenge Cup for best coulter cut ploughing in classes B and C, and President’s Cup for best all-round plot by district competitor, G. J. S. Smith; Stock and Auctioneers’ Peroetual Challenge Cup for best district plain ploughing In classes E. F and G. G. W. R. Inch; Alexander Holmes Memorial Cup for class D. W. N. Begg.

Dog Trials Results of the dog trials, the judge of which was Mr C. A. McKay, of Coldstream, were:— Open.—W. M. Tilson's Mac. 914 points, 1: A. E. Benbow's S, 901. 2; E. G. Milne’s 88. 3; H. M. King’s Zan. 874. 4. District.—E. G. Milne’s Maid, 88 points, 1; H. M. King’s Zan. 874. 2; H. M. King’s Trey. 85, 3; K. O’Connell’s Star, 75, 4.

Run-off Of Four Highest Scoring Dog*.—E. G. Milne’s Maid, 171 point*, 1. Open Malden.—H. M. King’s Zan. 874 points. 1; H. M. King's Trey, 85, 2. District Maiden.—H. M. King’s Zan, 874 points. 1; K. O’Connell’s Star, 75. 2.