HASTINGS PLOUGHING MATCH

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 191, 2 August 1930, Page 12

HASTINGS PLOUGHING MATCH

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL EVENT.

HIGH STANDARD OF TEAMS AND PLOUGHING.

In these days of motor traction it is perhaps natural that the farmer does not take quite the same interest in his plough team and its work as in years gone by. Nevertheless it is admitted by all authorities that it is impossible with the present day tractors to do the same good work that is possible with a wellbroken and managed team. That the plough team is maintaining a largo measure of popularity in Hawke's Bay was evident at the ploughing match held at Karamu during the past week when no less than fourteen teams competed in the various events.

Not only was there this large entry. but some of the teams were equal, if not superior, to any which could be seen in the “old days,” and fanners of the old school who wore present were unanimous in their praise of the work done. Among the outstanding teams those of Mr. J. Baird, L. T. Cooper, and A. Gunn lacked nothing either in matching, dressing or control, and it must have been extremely difficult for the jiflge to allocate the awards between them. As an indication of the type of horse that was in these teams, the champion and reserve champion mare at the last Palmerston North Show had a place in Mr. Baird’s team, while the awe which won the cbaon-

pionship at the last Hastings show was worked by Mr. Gunn. In fact the display of draught horses at this ploughing match was generally much better than could be seen at the average agricultural show All the old hands present were agreed that these ploughing matches, which have now become such popular events, have done much to maintain and improve the standard of ploughing in this district. There were five entries in the tractor class, and it was very noticeable that the work done by these machines has improved considerably during the past few years. There is no doubt that the tractor performs a valuable work on the farm, especially on easy country, but it is very doubtful if it will ever replace the plough horse on the small farm. The plough team has the immense advantage that its units can be used simultaneously at various types of haulage work while the tractor must be confined to one.

The entries in the working sheep dog classes, which always are a centre of interest for sheep farmers, were nnt so numerous this year ns Inst. Tin's was nossiblv owing to the fact that at this late season most shepherds are busy with their ewe flocks and would bo unable to get awav for the trials. Good work was done, however, by those dogs which did comnote .and nil events aroused considerable interest amongst the public. Again this venr one dog. Mr. Eric McLeod's “Dick.” won both the maiden and open events, Mr. IV.

Whyte securing second with his famous dog “Boy.” The promoters of this annual event are again to bo congratulated on the excellence of the arrangements which, in spite of unfavourable weather, afforded an interesting and instructive, as well as pleasant outing for a large number of fenu»r>.