TOKOMAIRIRO ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.

Clutha Leader, Volume XVII, Issue 834, 11 July 1890, Page 3

TOKOMAIRIRO ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.

♦ (From our Tokomairiro reporter.) Committee of Management : President, Mr W. Hewitson. ; vice-president, Mr J. Allison ; secretary, Mr J. Inglis ; committee — Messrs J. M'Ftirlane, W. Robinson, and H. Murray, jnr. It is now 33 years since the first ploughing match was held in. New Zealand. The farmers, then residents of the Tokoaiairiro Plain, were the first to .inagnrate such matches. In those days the double-furrow was unknown. The wooden swing-plough held the sway, a couple of stout oxen formed the- team, and it was not a novelty then to see our now petted ruminant, the cow, yoked to it? more fickle friend the horse. Since then every : ploughing match has witnessed some new departure in ploughing. The wooden plough has given way to the improved iron and steel swing, and the oxph have left their place in '-favor of the horse. The swing again is gradually being put aside in favor of the double-furrow. Some 12 or 13 years ago from 17 to 20 swingploughs turned out to a match ; now put of 14 only three are swings. The double-furrow with its three liorses is now the favorite, but it again is in -danger of being , eclipsed. The diggerplough has made its appearance, and the quality of its work 'renders it a

certainty that the double-furrow will ere long be a thing of thejpask But still, owing to the state of perfection:- i to which ploughing has reached with the double-furrow, it will' be a number of years-beforc it can be put aside. The 31st annual- ploughing match on the' Toko mairiro 'Plain' came 1 riff on Friday' last in a paddock belonging to Mr "Jno. Tough, .Situate midway between Olarksyille and the Milton railway station. .The ground was just the thing for a match, being tough, grassy, and somewhat wet. The day throughput was fine, although slight showers fell during the day. A large crowd of people gathered on the ground during the afternoon, the digger- ploughs being the centre of attraction. The turn-out,; 14 teams in all, consisted of eight; double furrows, all from the south end of the plain," three swings (also from' Southbridge), and three digger-ploughs. . .The double-furrows and swings ploughed ;six inches dee"p, while the digger went' ■eight inches. : The ploughing done was. acknowledged! by the' judges to be ex-i cellent work. , That* by .the champion! .was the finest bit of ploughing that has been seen at any match on the plain. The champion, who is. a youth under 17 years of age, has . accomplished a score in ploughing never done in New Zealand before; and I question ilever in the Home Country, he having been champion at. the Tokomairiro ploughing match against expert ploughmen from, the Tokoniairiro, Taieri, and Waitahuna districts thrice in succession. Some good teams of horses were on the field, and their ' sleek coats and evencombed hair betokened no small amount of work before the match. The decisions of. the judges gave every satisfaction. Mr Tough provided lunch for the ploughmen besides providing for all who cared to help themselves. The following is the • PuTZSLIST: Class A. Open; to all. First prize, LI (gift of Mr G. Coombe) and picture, value 5a (gift of Mr J. Bremner). One entiy, : R Robinson ... ... ... 1 Class B. — For youths under 18 years. First, LI (gift of Messrs Reid and Gray) ; 2nd, pair of haines (gift of Mr J. Taylor). Two entries. Ploughman. Owner. Maker. 1. C Robiuson Win Kobiuson Ponton 2. J L ickliart K. Murray • „ Class C— Double furrows. Open to all. First prize, LI (gift of Mr James Gray) and picture, value Ll Is (gift of Mr Wiu, Taylor) ; 2nd, vest, value 15s (gift of Mr BL. Ransome), and goods, value 5s (gift of Mr D. Cossgrove); 3rd, 10s 6d (gift of Mr J. C. Anderson, M.H.R.) and pair of leggings, value 15s (gift of Mr W. Moore) ; 4th, 7s 6d and chair, value 7s Gd (gift of Mr T. Johnstone). Seven entries. Ploughman. Owner. Maker. 1. Gibson Porter John Porter Jleid & Gray 2. A Campbell J& J Allison Fowler 3. Wm Thornton T Thornton Reid & Gray 4. I'obt Murray Bobfc Murray „ Class D. — Double farrows ; for those who have not taken a first or Becond prize. First prize, Ll (gift of Mr F. Bastings) and set of swingletrees (gift . of .Messrs J, and T. Bryce) ; 2nd, overcoat, value Ll (gift of Mr E. Stewart), and side of ' mutton, value 7s 6d (gift, of Mr A. M'Laren) ; 3rd, los and pair of leggings, value 7s Gd (gift of ;Mr J. Walker) ; 4th, clock, value 7s. (id (gift of Mr D. Bremner), and 105. . . Eight entries. Ploughman. Owner. MalcGr. 1. A Campbell J& •! Allison Fowler ,2. Win Thornton T Thornton Roid & Gray 3. K. Murray R Murray „ 4. John Marl.in . J Martin, sen „ . Class E. — Digging plough. First prize, silver medal ; 2nd, Ll. Throe entries. Ploughman. Agent. Maker. 1. R Ferguson James Reid Howard 2. EKirwin „ „ 3. A Wella D Paton Reid & Gray SPECIAL PRIZES. Best Feering, Class A. Set feering poles (gift of Mr J; Hollick). —R. Robinson. Best Finish, Class A. Picture, value 53 (gift of Mr J. Bremner). — R. Rubinson. Best Feering, Class B. Set feering poles (gift of Mr J. Dickson). — James Lockhart. Best Finish, ,Class B. Hat, value ss, (gift of Mr J. M'Millan).— C. Robinson. -Best Finish, Class C. Fivre gallons beer (gift of Mr J. T. Kofoed). —A. Campbell. . Best Finish, Class D. Goods value 7s Gd (gift of Mr J. Murray). — A. Campbell. Best Three-horse team. Set of swingletrees (gift of Messrs Graham and Kennard) — j. Millar. Best Two-horso team. Lfintcrn, value 7s 6d, leg of mutton," and goods value 23 6d. — jas. Lockhart. Best kept Harness, in every day use. Two tons of coal (gift of Mr'N". Hardwick) and razor, value 7s Gd (gift of Mr G. S. White).— Wm/Thornton. Best groomed Horses. Comb and, brush (gift of Mr Jas. Lockhart) arid sa. — Jas. Lockhart Champion Ploughed Lot. — "Gibson Porter. • (For report of the diunor. see page 6.)