NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. PLOUGHING AND DRAINING MATCH.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIII, Issue 3123, 20 July 1867, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. PLOUGHING AND DRAINING MATCH.

The annual ploughing and draining match of the N» w Zealand Agricultural Society took place yeaterday, near Otahuhu. The competition, both for draining and ploughing, was held in a field on the farm of Mr. Hume, about a mile and a half beyond Otahuhu, The day was squally throughout, and especially bo in the morning, whioh no doubt prevented a larger number of persons being present from town while the work" was going on. Thert was present, however, almost every settler in the neighbourhood, and the keenest interest was shown in the progress of the competition. Of course, the decisions of the judges were, as they always are, . on such occasion!, briskly canvassed, and freely . differed from by some, especially as respects the j awards for draining. We have no doubt, however, j that the majority were satisfied that justice had , been done, and certainly the judges spared no pains in thoroughly examining the work. In such matters, it is interesting to know how the work done here compares with home work, now-a-days. A gentleman on the field yesterday, who has reoently arrived from England, where he bad large practical experience both of draining and ploughing, stated that the draining was excellent, and the ploughing good. Five hours were allowed for the work, but all the competitors were finished within that time. The field was certainly in great need of draining ,and ploughing, but was not of a quality to show the ploughman's work to advantage ;— especially the •wing ploughs, it was thought, suffered in this respect. The judges were; For the Draining: Messrs. W. T. Bassett and S. C. Baird. For the Ploughing: Messrs. W. Hume, F. Howard, and W, Gardiner. The work terminated at 3 o'olock; and, some time after, the judges made the following awards : — PLOUGHING. First Class, Wheel Ploughs (six entries): 1st prize, £3, W. Westney, son of a Mangere settler (he also gets the extra for best ploughing in the field, £5); 2nd prize, £2, H. Brown ; 3rd prize, £1, T. Clarkin. Second Class, Swing Ploughs (five entries) : '3rd prize, £1, Arthur Milgrew. The first and second prizes in this class were not awarded. Third Class (boys under 18 years of age) : 1st prize, £2, W. Cox ; 2nd prize, £1, W. Quinlan. Fourth Class, Turn Wrest Ploughs : £3 prize awarded to plough entered by Mr. J. S. Wallace. DRAINING. 1st prize, £3, W. Hamilton, 4hours25minute>. 2nd prize, £2, F. Hutohin, servant with Robertson Brothers, Mangere, 3 hours 30 minutes, 3rd prize, £1, G. Atkins, 4 hours 30 minutes. j _| The second prize is to be made up to £3 by the judges, as the work was so closely up to, the mark of the first prize. i At five o'clock, over fifty gentlemen sat down to a dinner at the Criterion Hotel. The dinner was served up in excellent style. The chair was occupied by Mr. John Wallace, president of the New Zealand Agricultural Society ; the croupiers were Mr. A. Bassett and Mr. A. Martin. Amongst these present were Mr. It. Robertson, Mr. W. Buckland, Mr. E. Maclean, Mr. S. C. Baird, Mr. Kenr, Mr. W. J. Hurst, Mr. May, Mr. W. Hunter, Mr. Styak, Mr. Runoiman, Mr. A. Beveridge, Mr. R. Firth, Mr. Hume, Mr. F. Howard, Mr. W. Gardiner, Mr. Selbjr, Mr. Keleher, Mr. D. Thomson, Mr. Storey, Mr. Gordon, Mr. Bent, &o. The Chairman expressed the regret of the committee that Dr. Pollen and Mr. Gilfillan were not present. They had looked forward with pleasure to the prospect of having Dr. Pollen's company, as he believed, and he was assured by Mr. Buckland that it was so, that he would have been the oldest Auckland settler, and one who bad been engaged in developing various of Auckland's resouroes. He would have been inclined to look upon the presence of these gentlemen as an omen for good at a time when every true colonist was considering how Auckland could be got out of her difficulties. Some time sinoe, the Society had a meeting at which the subject of protection was discussed. Some misunderstanding had arisen at the result of that meeting, and it had been suggested that those who had charge of the toasts should initiate the matter, so that, after they had finished the programme, any one who was disposed to address the meeting on the subject should do so. The question, he might remark, was at present engaging the attention of two of the Southern provinces— Canterbury and Marlbojougb. In reference to that day's meeting, he dared to say they were aware of the difficulty of applying manures to soil not made fit for its reception ; and unless the ploughing were properly done, neither harrowing nor grubbing could be efficiently performed. It was beyond doubt that agriculture had derived great benefit from ploughing matches. (Hear.) The Chairman then in a few remarks proposed " The Queen." The toast was cordially received. The Chairman then proposed "The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family." He said he believed that in a short time they might expect a visit from his Eoyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, and he was sure the people of Auckland would net be behind any other plaoe in giving him a proper reoeption. (Cheers.) Mr. A. Martin proposed the toast of "The Governor." The Governor had done some thinga that he did not approve of. He had apparently looked much to the British Government and the British people, and possibly he was right in doing so; but he bad taken the part of the colonists when they were slandered, and were supposed to have all sorts of malevolent feelings towards the Maoris. The Governor had indeed fought their battle in that respeot, and they ought to be grateful to him for having done so. (Hear.) If Sir George Grey managed to cany out the plan of stationing a regiment at Taupo, they would have reason to be proud of him as a Governor. It would be a great means of really having peace in the colony, and would tend in some degree to get the Auckland people out of their difficulties. He would propose Sir George Grey's health as the representative of the Queerj, as an Auckland man, and as an Auckland settler. The toast was drunk enthusiastically. Mr. A. Martin proposed "The Army and Navy." He said that at several dinners lately the toast had been so well treated that any shortcomings on his part would be excused. A portion of the army had been so long located in that neighbourhood that the settlers there had looked upon them more as acquaintance than as noldiers. He himself felt the loss of many friends and acquaintances and he was sure that feeling was shared in by many in the room. If the army and navy had been allowed to do more as they pleased, they would have done more for the colonists. They were hampered aud fettered on several ocoasions, but that was not their fault. He would couple the toast of the army with the name of General Chute, and he might say that, if there was a war in Europe, and he was one of the generals employed, he would be one of the foremost. Mr. Kerr briefly responded. Mr. Styak proposed the toast of " The Volunteers and Militia." They might want protection in another sense than had been spoken of, and their reliance must be plaoed upon the Volunteers and Militia. Mr. Kerb responded, saying that when General Cameron went over the Maungatawhiri, all the redoubts on this side were garrisoned by the Auckland Volunteers and Militia. He should not forget, when he was with No. 2 Company in the Albert Barracks, that once he saw Colonel Haultain serving , out the arms to boys of fourteen .to eighteen or twenty. They ought not to have been lower thansixteen. He (Mr. Kerr) objected to taking out two small boys, saying they could not march the length' of Otahuhu. One of those small Jboys absolutely cried, and said he could march and carry his musket. Had a stranger oome into the Albert Barracks at that time, and seen the whole male population of Auckland at drill, he must have been astonished. Mr. W. Buckland proposed the toast of "The Members of the General Assembly." He was sura they ought to be obliged to gentlemen who left their vocations to transact business of national import, tance. It was their duty to send proper men to the Assembly; if they did not, they were to blame; He thought their members would compare favourably with those sent from any other place. He observed a tendency to lower the position of a representative^-to make them mere delegates. Now, he would say, if they sent them, they should send them to deliberate and do their best for the country, and the electors should not fetter them in the least. (Cheers.) The Chairman said he should call upon Mr. Firth to return thanks. Mr. Firth said he quite agreed with Mr. Buckland that it was not a proper position to place a representative in, to make him a mere delegate. But, however, there ought to be a good understanding between ,the members and those* who semt them there. (Hear.) He quite agreed withMr. t Buokland in what h* had ftaid about the pbligatioa, .

' they were under to their members. It was highly necessary that members should know their sentiments in reference to taxation. The people did not pay taxes in order that half the amount should go for the oost of collection. Taxes were levied for the proper purposes of government, and if any tax I oo»t half its amount to pay the expense of its 1 collection, if wai olear that the ends of that tax were really defeated. The stamp duty had the advantage of going entirely — except about 2£ or 3 per cent. — into the coffers of the Government. Another advantage which it had wu, that it was continually in a tangible shape before them, the importance of seeing that the money paid in taxation did its duty. So long m the people paid taxes on tea, sugar, liquor, and tobacco, they thought lightly of it, but when they had to pay one penny for every stamp receipt, they would scarcely ever affix the stamp but they would exclaim, " Confound , the Government ! what expensive fellows they are I" ', So public opinion was formed. They should find ; that, as their taxation became more direct, more in* Jfluence would be exercised upon the expenditure of .the Government than when taxation was indirect. If the Government could see their way to redeem the pledge which they had made when the Stamp Act was introduced — that, if it returned a larger revenue than itxpected, they would reduce the duties on tea, •ugar, and other necessaries, which came most heavily upon the working man — he (Mr. Firtb) forone should be glad to see the stamp duty— he would not say increased— but continued. (Hear. ) \ Mr. Martin proposed " The Superintendent, and ,the Members of the Provincial Council." He had the conduct of the present Superintendent for years, and he had seen that his only wish was to do what would aid in the prosperity of the province. He might have been mistaken, and undoubtedly had been, in several instances, but he had the welfare of the province at heart. . Mr. May, M.P.C., returned ihanks. He had generally differed from the Superintendent, and, as to the Council, he was more disappointed with the present one than he had ever been. (Laughter.) Indeed, he had been so much disappointed that he had made up his mind never to go to it again. (No, no.) He saw them giving salaries to favourites and not curtailing them ; but when Dr. Campbell was Superintendent, and was cutting down) he began with his own salary first. Although they had made some reduction, therejwould be a deficiency, and yet they were going on with expenditure. He believed the days of provinces were numbered, and the sooner the better, bo many members supported measures merely for the sake of their friendf. (Cries of Yes, and No.) Mr. Buckland, M.P.C., also responded. He might say that he generally found himself in a minority of three or four in the Council, so that he had not much influence there. (Laughter.) He thought they were not at present prepared to carry on those provincial institutions which they had. He did decidedly and emphatically say that provincial institutions had been a failure. He could not, however, go so far as Mr. ' May, and accuse the members of collusion. (Laughter.) That was something too much. There never was anything like a" healthy political feeling in Auckland, and in elections the question was merged into whether a man was an Irishman or a Scotsman. At one time he used to get angry at all this sort of thing, but now he laughed at it. The fact was that there was hardly one of them fitted by education to conduot political business, or to entertain politioal questions. (Hear hear.) Mr. Kerb, M.P.C., said that the last speaker had told them that he had not been allowed to have hia own way in the Council, and he (Mr. Kerr) thought that that was at the root of it alL Mr, May had also spoken against the Superintendent particularly ; but he would now say a few words in his favour. He had not been a supporter of Mr. Williamson, and had strongly supported Mr. R. Graham again»t him but when he went into the Council the sessio before last, he had got better acquainted with Mr. Williamson, and had seen his abilities. He thought that Mr. May's antipathy to the Council also arose from the fact that be was not allowed to do as he liked — that the memhers of the Council would not take either him or Mr. Buckland for a leader, (Hear, and laughter.) Mr. Martin said, if they had not the present Superintendent, whom would they have to put in ? If Mr. Buckland had stepped forward, he for one certainly would have voted for him. That gentleman was not however ready to come forward. (Hear. ) Mr. E. Maclean observed that he could not say that he belonged to any party, either the Government or the opposition. Several members were entirely independent, and voted for what they thought to be for the good of the country; and he belonged to that party. Mr. Buokland must correct one statement made by Mr. Maclean. There was no organised Opposition in the Council to the Government. The Chairman said they bad heard what the members of Council thought of each other, and he supposed, if they went on in that way, that they would have outside parties telling the Councillors what they thought of the lot. He might say that there was one thing he strongly disagreed with the Government about, and that was the prolongation of the forty-acre system. Mr. Gordon, secretary, here read the list of prizes as above, and the chairman handed oheques for the money to several of the competitors who were present. Mr. James Kunciman proposed ♦< The Judges." Mr. Bassbtt responded, stating that both he and Mr. Baird, his coadjutor in the draining department, were much pleased at the excellence of the work done. Mr. Hvhb and Mr. F< Howard also responded, the latter gentleman stating that not much could be said for the awing-plough work, but the work of the wheel ploughs was very excellent. The judges had had great difficulty in deoiding between the second and third. Mr. Gardiner also returned thanks for the tout, Mr, F. Howard proposed "The Successful Competitors," stating that he was glad to see that the ■on of an old colonist had won the highest prize given. Mr. Martin returned thanks on behalf of Mr. Westney. Mr. R. Robertson proposed "The Unsuccessful Competitors." Mr. Maclean gave the toast of " The Commercial Interests of Auckland," in a few remaks. Mr. Firth returned thanks for the toast of "The Commercial Interest." He said : A good deal has been spoken about protection, which T would not further allude to, as I consider the subject a little out of place at a meeting like the present. (Hear.) Not but that I am prepared to hear what the advooates for protection have to say, and to do my best to reply to it. It is not necessary that an occupation should be attended with pomp and display to be useful, and yet I think the quiet and useful occupation of the ploughman is often undervalued. We must not, however, forget that the ranks of the ploughmen have furnished more than one great name, who has not only turned over furrow*, but overturned kingdoms as well. On many a brilliant battle-ground the humble ploughman has remained master of the field. In this colony I am satisfied that we can best hold by the plough what we have conquered by the sword. (Cheers.) Everywhere in the Waikato country, I am satisfied to see the plough steadily at work, and, if our swords are not yet beaten into ploughshares, they ; are daily giving place to them. Before I thank you on behalf of the commerce of Auckland, you must allow me to express my high gratification at seeing io many stalwart fellows enter the lists to-day as knights of the share, the great majority of whom, if you will only give them the chance, will make their mark in this country in such a fashion that, before long, Maori tracks and Maori ways will equally disappear before them. In responding to the toast of the Commerce of Auckland, I heartily thank you for the handsome manner in which it has been received. I need hardly tell you that commercial affairs do not wear a very bright aspect anywhere just now. The past few years of good trade has been succeeded, both in England and the colonies, by a iperiod of depression almost un- < paralleled for duration and intensity. This colony has not escaped} the neighbouring province of Canter* bury,; notwithstanding its West Coast gold and its East jCoast wool, is at this moment suffering more severely than the provinoe of Auckland, which has, as yet, little gold or wool, and is only slowly recovering from the' exhausting effects of a civil war. There is however, nothing to cause unreasonable alarm in these depressions. They follow seasons of, prosperity as regularly as night follows day, and as necessarily. Sinoethe.termination of the European war of 1815, commercial panics have occurred at pretty regular intervals, of ten years.. In older countries, the causes and the cures of these panics . lie often upon the' surface. Production overtakes consumption, - supply overruns demand, rash speculation seizes a large portion of the community, extravagant' habits ' of living are contracted j and then the crash oomes, and all -these operations are rapidly reversed. ' Suffering and disaster- are. then everywhere apparent;-' but out of- all> this there have sprung » healthier, trade^ more eoonomio habits, and jktsanto'tfttiptBfy l IhuL ( i*>now^iery nrabh-ottr- • •'

position. Our banker*, merchants, and tradesmen bare msde the not uncommon mistake of regarding credit as capital— our working men hare lived as though high wages were always to continue. We hare steadfastly invested our earnings, and the money we hare been able to borrow, in houses, lands, and railways, all of which, in times of depression, hate no selling value. We have ignorantly abut onr eyes to our actual position, and have acted as though a reTerse were impossible. The day of reckoning has, nevertheless, come upon as, and you will agree with me that it is severe enough. Every man amongst as has felt the change moit keenly. Well, we must face our difficulties like men; we must work more, and speculate and grumble less. We must cut down our expenses in every possible way. If this be done, I promise you before long a return of prosperity— much sounder and more lasting than any which the province has yet experienced. Hard as the times are, they*are not without advantage to the community. I think we shall see results follow here similar to those which occur elsewhere : we shall find that a large number amongst every class will have learnt lessons of wisdom and economy which nothing but adversity could teach them. In these new lands where labour is king we have at least one advantage over older countries : we can take off eur coats and work. (Hear.) I have that confidence in the courage and hardihood of -all colonists of the right stamp to feel that, if to-day the highest amongst us were reduced to his last shilling, to-morrow he would set to work with a will and be thought none the worse of for doing so. In the meantime, gentlemen, the beat thing you can do is to keep your ploughs going, and I am satisfied that at your next annual ploughing match both the agrioulture and the commerce of the province and the colony will bt in a healthier and more flourishing condition. (Cheers.) Mr. Huhst proposed the toast of " The Agricul* | tural Interest," in a lengthened speech, touching upon the subject of protection, and telling the farmers how they should conduct their business. « The Chairman then put the question, whether they should now take up and discuss the subject of protection, but it was resolved, naturally enough, | that they should not. "The Press," and various other toaots, were afterwards proposed, and responded to.