Qualifying Event To Otago Ploughman

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32032, 5 July 1969, Page 23

Qualifying Event To Otago Ploughman

An Otago ploughman, J. F. Thornton, aged 25. of Momona, won the final qualifying round for this year’s New Zealand ploughing championships. The round was held in conjunction with the thirty-fourth match of the Rakaia Ploughing Match Association this week.

Thornton, who works on his father’s dairy farm, qualified for the first time in his fourth attempt this year. The event attracted a field of 16 from the top of the South Island, near Collingwood, to Otago and also from the West Coast.

The match was held on the property of Mr A. a. Wilkinson, near Chertsey. The soil tended to be a little too dry. The Judges, Messrs J. T. Wyllle.J. s. T. McGlfiert afid W. W. bivan, said that, considering the conditions, the standard of the work had been good. Thornton made en exceptionally good job. The judges also had to review the work of seven ploughmen who have already qualified for the championships and the event for them was won by G. A. Matheson, an engineer and farmer of Outram. Otago, who qualified earlier in the week at Hinds.

Over all events C. Brown, of Walmate, was judged champion ploughman on the ground and G. J. S. Smith, of Rakaia, the best district ploughman. He was also the oldest competitor. Overhead conditions were perfect for the match. Results were:

Atlantic Silver plough qualifying event: J. F. Thornton, 158} points 1, P. F. Dixon (Rangiora) and D. McDowell (Nelson) 147 points (equal) 2, J. G. C. Pascoe (Christchurch) 140} points 4, G. Carter (Greenpark) 139} points 5. Atlantic Silver Plough qualifiers: G. A. Matheson 1, M. Davison (Rolleston) 2. Double furrow, open, cut as you please: C. Brown 1, E. Gibson (Ashburton) 2. Best break, finish and straightest ploughing. Brown.

Two or more furrows, open, coulter cut. plain cast shares, ground as you please: G. J. S. Smith 1, J. Gardiner (Rakaia) 2, E. M. Duncan (Christchurch) 3. J. D. Wyllle (Tlmaru) 4. Best break. J. Gardiner. Finish, W, Redmond (Rakaia). Straightest ploughing, G. J. S. Smith. Three or more furrows, open, hydraulic and trailer, plain ploughing, plain standard shares, ground as you please: W. N. Begg (Ashburton) 1, R. R. Ward (Irwell) 2, D. W. Irwin (Rakaia) 3. Best break, W. N. Begg. Finish and straightest Sloughing. R. R. Ward. Best reak and finish with four or more furrows, D. W. Irwin. Three or more furrows, open, mounted or semi-mounted ploughs, plain ploughing, plain standard shares, ground as you please: A. D. Begg (Ashburton) I, P. T. Dixon (Ashburton) 2, 3. D. Stewart (Rakaia) 3, C. R. Maw (Rakaia) 4. Best break and finish and best break and finish with four or more furrows, A. D. Begg. Straightest ploughing, R. G. Boyce (Rakaia). Special prizes were won as follows: John Pye challenge cup for best district ploughman. G. J. S. Smith; Holmslea tankard for champion ploughman, C. Brown; Stock and Auctioneers’ perpetual challenge cup for best district plain ploughing in classes E, F and G, W. N. Begg: D. J. Stewart challenge trophy for best coulter cut ploughing in classes B and C, G. J. S. Smith: best break and best finish, cut classes, C. Brown; best break plain ploughing classes, w. N. Begg; best finish plain ploughing classes, R. R. Ward: best break and finish on ground. C. Brown; oldest ploughman and oldest district ploughman. G. J. S. Smith; ploughman from longest distance, J. R. Brown (Collingwood district); youngest ploughman, J. G. C. Pascoe; best break in Atlantic classes. J. R. Brown; President’s cup for best all-round plot by district competitor, G. J. S. Smith; best Atlantic classes. M.