TOKOMAIRIRO PLOUGHING MATCH.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVII, Issue 834, 11 July 1890, Page 6

TOKOMAIRIRO PLOUGHING MATCH.

— : — : o__ ■ THE DINNER. (From our Lovells Flat correspondent.) The dinner took place in the White Horse Hotel. A capital spread was provided by host Mr Bastings. About "TO sat at the tables : chair, Mr VV. Hewitson, president of the, club ; vice-chair, Mr W. Moore, mayor of Milton. On the cloth being removed, the Chairman made a good humoured start by jocularly remarking that the attenders at ploughing match dinners had erroniously acquired the name of getting " tight," — in fact " happy tight." No doubt that impression arose from a confusion of tho terms '*' rappy tight," and tho cqjpetita for which ploughmen had become so world renowned. He hoped they would do full justice to the feast of reason and the flow of soul that was to follow. " The toast of the Queen and Royal Family was given and loyally received." Song, MrC, Mills. •' Army, navy, and volunteers " — coupled with the name of Lieut. Moore. Lieut. Moore in responding said he would not reply to the toasc in its entirety as he was merely connected with the -humbler arm of the service — the volunteers — find he believed there were representatives of the army and navy present. For the volunteers he would say they would be highly valued in the country if properly supported. But as it was the movement was on the wane, and at the present raise'-of retrogression volunteering in New Zealand 'would' become' 'a' thing of the past. Country corps especially were at present decidedly getting the cold shoulder. Volunteers themselves would be only too willing .to raise the status, but the want, of the means of becoming well disciplined was very discouraging. " Parliament of New Zeal&tad " — coupled with the name of Mr A. W. Grant. Mr Grant in the course of his reply expressed his opinion that the personnel of ; our parliament was of a lower standard than it would be if manhood suffrage did , not prevail. Manhood suffrage was an invention of the devil. He was amazed to think that a man who had worked tooth and nail to earn a standing in the country should have no more say in its government than any unfortunate swagger. "The mercantile interest," — coupled with, Mr W. Moore and Mr J as. .Reid (Oamaru). • Mr Reid said he would rather not reply to that particular- toast, and : ■ ■ Mr Moore suitably responded saying the interest stood high in importance. It embraced too wide a field to deal with its ins and outs ; but the universal system of credit made the welfare of all grades of' the interest, including, perhaps, the farming interest, of importance to each other. : "The agricultural interest "—coupled with tho name of Mr Robert Craig, president of the Waitahuna Farmers Ciub. Mr Craig,' replying, said the agricultural- interest was still labouring under depi'ession caused by low prices. He could not see a cure and the. out-look was a gloomy one. The only hope that appeared to him of improving the position was to make a change in the mode of working the ground — that was, to adhere to a system of mixed farming, including stock fattening, grazing, dairying, etc. But as the product of our farms would be far beyond ' what we ourselves could consume, it should be our aim to preserve the balance of trade with our neighbours in the other colonies. An improvement in agricultural implements was alvyays.a step onward, and as a visitor to, the match he i had been, repaid by the good work he saw, and especially the, work of these new implements,the digging ploughs. ,He hoped the, owner of the, paddock would make public, the effect the different styles , of, ploughing had on the crops. ..These., kind of' experiences was always, a, benefit to agriculturists., ,: If he referred to k the' bearing ..that .farmers' club had on the agricultural interest he was afraid he ''■ might touch a little on. the panicle in the present company. He was, afraid the. Tokomairiro Farmers'. Club, was rather apathetic in regard to ..matters having a wide interest —such matters as getting lip . ploughing matches, etc., should be merely secondary considerations of clubs. The clubs should strive to incorporate the principle of mutual improvement societies where opinions and experiences would be

exchanged and the young men receive the ■ benefit of the enlightenment of the elders. '', He was sorry tosay^the .N: 1 Union was ifiot^adequately sup ported- by, 'fche^'clabs.'-"- T-h'e executive: of the union, j ■ th'rdugh lack' of support,. ;-werei not ! at- all, carrying. out the functions rightly, belong- • i,ng to,s.uoh .animpqrtantjbody. ; If : farmers \ would really become .united there is : not! the.shadpw.ot.a. doubt but that they.wo.uld • . ,be, great/gainers , politically, .. commercially , ; .and socially... Another., matter ; f or, grave ' r was, pur .in . parliament. ''. As We,. were. cm the eye of a. 'general'' election ffirmers 'should make tip ■ their minds'to select a man' having 'inter- . •esf identical with- theirs. — Mr Graig ; con- . eluded by proposing '• The" Tokorhairiro .•.Farmers' Club "M-coupled with .the name; of the, president.: . «; .;.-;.;, .-'..-a .-, . ; , JRocitationj) " Bowl abpot,!' Mr James Allison.: _ -. „.-.--.■ „,'!;■,,,• „ :- ... . Mr.W. Hewitsqn^im responding to. the toast,. said he tool?;, exception tp Mr, Craig's remarks with reference to" the. Toko. club. They (the local were not over strongly supported, by, the farmers of the district, arid they did the best they could andier tlie'circumstances)' and. were prepared to do all they could.^-( Applause. ) j : He also' differed with Mr Craig oh other poin fc's. For instance, " while' he admitted , the farming interest was at zero, ;: he would feel inclined to look further afield than Mr Craig for a ! remedy. .It' ; was all very fine to talk about a change in the mode of wording pur. land, but while the Colony .as a whole had .'a great drawback attached .tp ii' } it was hopeless for any class to 'expect to floiirishi He would say : re : move the taxation that debarred foreign capital from' fltfivirig' here, and the good effect would' soon' be felt by all classes". In conclusion he expressed gratification at the warm reception the toast of the local clnb had met with, in a' .cotrpany in which ho noticed so many strangers and men r.epi'esenting so many varied interests in • the community. — (Loud applause.) , • , ! For "Kindred societies" Mr Craig responded, aud made, a strong- appeal for the cause of mutual benefit and greater unity of action. "The judges."— Mr Adam M'Corkindale, Round Hill, suitably replied. " The successful competitors " was the next toast, but found no response. Here the toast list was ciit off as the hour was growing late. The distribution of priz.-s ifwllowedj and a pleasant' evening was brought to a . close with a vote of thanks to the chair, (For rerort of match sco page 3 )