Memories Of World Ploughing

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31365, 10 May 1967, Page 28

Memories Of World Ploughing

The first New Zealand ploughing championship was held at Papakaio, near Oamaru, in 1956. It was won by a North Canterbury ploughman, C. J. (Jim) Brooker. That year he went to Britain to compete in the World Ploughing Contest at Shillingford, near Oxford, in England.

The most recent ploughman to represent New Zealand overseas was H. A. Walker, of Ota Greek, Southland, who competed in Norway in 1965.

It is obvious from their comments that the over-riding memory has been of the goodwill and friendliness existing between all ploughman, making a significant contribution to the vital task of promoting better relations between the peoples of all countries, and the kindness and hospitality always extended to competitors by their hosts. Altogether 10 New Zealand ploughmen have competed in world ploughing contests over the years and on the occasion of the fourteenth World Ploughing Contest to be held this week at Prebbleton-Broad-field, “The Press” invited each of these men to briefly put down the main impressions that they still retain

of their participation in world ploughing. Mr J. C. (Jim) Brooker, today a farmer, of Leighton Downs, North Loburn, was the first New Zealand ploughman to plough in a world match. That was on October 11 and 12, 1956, at Shillingford near Oxford in England. Mr Brooker travelled to the world match on his own and attended meetings of the World Ploughing Organisation. He recalls putting to the Organisation the possibility of a world contest being held in New Zealand. "This was well received,” he said, “but I could see that it would be several years before this would come to fruition. . . .” Jim had a hectic three weeks preparing to leave for the world contest and on the eve of his departure had morning tea with the then Minister of Agriculture, Mr Holyoake, and signed the visitors’ book at Parliament Buildings sitting in the Prime Minister’s chair—“not for long,” commented the then P.M., the late Sir Sidney Holland. The Canterbury ploughman was provided with a round-the-world first class air ticket by the Atlantic Union Oil Company—“when I left New Zealand I did not really know what a wonderful experience I was in for,” he comments. Jim travelled by way of Fiji, Honolulu, Vancouver—through the Rockies by Canadian Pacific Railways to Toronto—Chicago, New York and London. Then it was down to practice with a brand new plough strange to him and not enough time to get a good polish on the mouldboards.

But the stubble ploughing at the world match went “extra good,” to quote Jim’s words. There was, however, a minor delay when he went to make his last run down the finish. Several hundred spectators broke the headland barrier and crowded round his tractor shaking his hand, wishing him well and even Inquiring if he knew friends of theirs in New Zealand. However, order was restored and he was able to finish.

The next day the organisers erected a picket fence and there was no more trouble. But the grassland ploughing ground was far too dry and very difficult to hold together with big lumps coming up—“all in all not a very impressive performance from the spectators’ point of view.” That year Hugh Barr, the great ploughman from Northern Ireland, won his third world contest in a row. This is an achievement, which Mr Brooker says may never be equalled. On that occasion, he says, Hugh gave very few points away in workmanship, but he thought that his grassland plot was very plain. Like all the other ploughmen who have gone from, New Zealand to world contests, Jim remembers particularly the harmony and goodwill that existed between ploughmen from so many countries, and he thinks that, in these troubled times, the fostering of good relations between all men should be one of the main roles of the World Ploughing Organisation. He said that New Zealanders seemed to be very fortunate when they went abroad, being well received wherever they went —that was his experience. When he left England Jim went to Holland to stay with Willem de Lint, who was

vorld champion, the next year—“what a grand fellow, great sport, good farmer, consistently good ploughman and good host,” says the Loburn man. Then it was home by way of Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and Australia. Mr Brooker is looking toward to renewing acquaintances this week with some of the people he met more than 10 years ago. R. J. (Bob) Heenan won the second national championships at Lincoln in 1957 and then ploughed in the world contest at Peebles in Ohio:— “I encountered some difficulties at the world contest This was only about the 13th ploughing contest that I had competed in and back home I had always ploughed in the winter when the ground could be likened to cheese. But at Peebles it had been very dry and the soil was more like chalk. Some ploughs were able to handle it quite well but mine tended to break it into large lumps. My plough was actually flown to America for the contest and was one that my father had reconstructed after we had found some old beams. The hospitality of the American people was quite wonderful. We were billeted out and the person I stayed with actually made a car available to use.”

R. M. (Bob) Kingsbury, of Wakanui, MidCanterbury, won the New Zealand championship at Invercargill in 1958 and ploughed near Stuttgart in Germany:— “Almost nine years have passed since I visited Germany in 1958, but my memories of that occasion are still very vivid. I was amazed at the high esteem in which New Zealand was held throughout Germany and I felt very proud to represent this country. Hohenheim Agricultural College was an ideal site for the world ploughing contest. I was most impressed with the wonderful hospitality shown to us all prior to the contest and the true sportsmanship that enveloped all ploughmen. The opening ceremony and the parade to plots, led by our hosts in national costume, was a wonderful sight.

“After the excitement of the day the presentation of the Golden Plough was held in the Liederhalle in Stuttgart. This and the unveiling of the Cairn of Peace, which Incorporated a piece of New Zealand’s Hanmer stone, will remain for ever my most vivid memories.”

S. M. (Stewart) Allison of Moneymore, Milton, Otago, won the New Zealand ploughing championship at Hastings in 1959 and then ploughed in the World Ploughing Contest in Northern Ireland:— “My greatest memory of my stay in Northern Ireland is of the warmth of its hospitality. The people of Ulster could not do too much towards my finding and using a plough that was to my satisfaction. It ultimately became a feeling of New Zealand and Northern Ireland ploughmen against those from the rest of the world. I was welcomed into the homes of so many people. Their hospitality was as open armed as that of close relatives. The folk of Ulster kindly showed me round much of their country. Since the organised trip to Stormont Castle (the Parliament of Ulster) I have received a monthly bulletin on Ulster, which has brought back many memories of this most enjoyable time in my life.” B. J. (Barry) McPhedran, of Taiko, Timaru, won the New Zealand ploughing championship at Washdyke, near Timaru, in 1960, and represented New Zealand at the World Ploughing ' Contest at Tor Mancina,

Rome, Italy, that year:— ‘One of the most significant factors in my representing New Zealand at the Sth World Ploughing Contest in Rome was that, while from a very young country, I was competing with the world’s best ploughmen in a setting where our modem civilisation started. Although each contestant fully accepted the responsibility of representing his own country, there was a mutual understanding between all concerned. At international level this particular sport tends to bring out the best in a ploughman’s skill and also in his personality—blend these two' together and one cannot but help make permanent! friendships. Over the whole! of the contest in Rome one could not help but feel that we had the privilege of promoting better international relationships than any statesman or diplomat could ever hope to achieve.” W. A. (Wilf) Simpson, of Kia Ora, Oamaru, North Otago, won the New Zealand championship at Makarewa, near Invercargill, in 1962, and ploughed in the World Ploughing Contest in Holland:— “I ploughed on land that had been only recently re-

claimed from the sea and in the course of the championship pieces . of aeroplanes that had crashed in both world wars were turned up. Among my best memories of that occasion are the great’thrill it gave me to represent New Zealand at the world match and to think that I had been flown half way round the world to take part. L too, have most happy recollections of the hospitality of the Dutch people and the friendliness of the other ploughmen, even though we often could not speak the same language. The saddest part of the proceedings was when it came to the time to say goodbye, knowing that we would probably never meet again. We could not help feeling that the plough is an instrument which can do a lot to further the ends of world peace, and I think that all the ploughmen gathered for the championships felt the same way. Ploughmen the world over think the same way and we made many very good new friends not only in Holland but also at matches in Britain and Ireland.” C. E. (Charlie) Read, formerly of West Melton and now of Christchurch, won the New Zealand ploughing championships for the Atlantic Silver Plough in Rotorua in 1963 and ploughed in the world contest at Caledon, Ontario, Canada, the same year:— “In trying to list those things I remember best about my trip to the world match I think it is best to start off with my arrival in Canada, and one of the first things I can recall was the vastness of the wheat-grow-ing area of Ontario as seen from the air. To one from this country it seemed almost limitless. As far as the

contest is concerned I am sure all New Zealand entrants will remember the wonderful spirit of friendship between competitors, which somehow seemed to surmount all language barriers. Other things I clearly remember are the huge display of machinery and stock,, and the ploughing demonstration by three Canadians—two of whom were world champions—and the three-times world champion, Hugh Barr, of Northern Ireland. Finally there is something which will be long remembered—the hospitality of the Canadian people."

E. J. (Eric) Croy, of Wakanui, Mid-Canter-bury, won the New Zealand ploughing championships at Templeton in 1964 and subsequently competed in the World Ploughing Contest at Fuchsenbigl In Austria:—

“Perhaps the thing that I was most conscious of when competing in the World Ploughing Contest was the fact that I was representing a nation, not just competing as an individual. This was a great honour and achievement, but the thrill cf this was somewhat annulled by the tragic and distressing circumstances beyond my control, under which I had to compete. Nevertheless, this aspect dwindled into insignificance with my appreciation of the enrichment gained from meeting the very cultured, intellectual and charming people of Austria. The interest shown by the 50,000 onlookers and the hospitality which followed will forever remain a vivid memory with me. In an atmosphere of good will and brotherhood, maybe the beautiful city of Vienna was the ideal setting to meet the ploughmen of other competing nations. This indeed was my good fortune and will remain one of the greatest pleasures in my life.”

“I enjoyed it all, but perhaps one of the highlights of the trip was the pleasure of meeting King Olav V at the presentation of the Golden Plough and the Massey-Ferguson Rosebowl in the magnificent Oslo City Hall. I also enjoyed visiting some of the Norwegian farms. I was amazed at the income they make off such a small area. For example, one farm we visited consisted of 10 acres arable and 90 acres of forest. Stock on the property was 10 milking cows and 10 young cattle. The average yield of the cows was 5600 kilograms with a 4.3 per cent butterfat test. The total gross income was £2280, of which £1650 was from cows and the balance from meat and trees. After costs had been deducted the net profit was £l4lo—a fine effort for a small property and considering the adverse weather they have to contend with. The kindness and hospitality of the Norwegian people is, of course, something I shall always remember."