MANDEVILLE PLOUGHING MATCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3566, 22 June 1872, Page 3

MANDEVILLE PLOUGHING MATCH.

It is pleasing to observe the rapid march of improvement which has attended agricultural matters in the province during the past few years, and the energetic spirit that is now evinced by the farmers of all the various agricultural dist riots to excelone another in the noble art, by which they hope to gain that prosperity wMoh is so essential to the satisfactory working out of our great scheme of colonisation. When it is considered that the fanning interest is of paramount importance to all others, and that its success or failure affects all other •lasses of the community, either beneficially or detrimentally as the case may be, it ought to call forth all the assistance and sympathy that can be bestowed upon it by the other sections of the public, who although their interests directly are not wrapped up in it, still, indirectly, they must of necessity either stand or fall by the result which each alternate season falls to the lot of tho grain grower. It is a matter of fact that after a season, when the grain crops do not show a fair average yield, that tradesmen of all branches complain bitterly about ,f hard times,” and things being “ dull,” because the tana era have no surplus cash to, expend on other local or foreign products. Wo do not profess to say that tho farmers can rule the seasons, as that is a power “ beyond their ken/’ but by putting the scientific principles which centimes of experience has compiled for the proper carrying out of agricultural pursuits into practice, a great deal can be done by the hands of man to assist nature in her work, and thereby show results which can not be attained by the slovenly system of farming so maoh practised in the colonies by persons entirely ignorant of the primaiy rules of the art. We are prompted to make these remarks because, in many agricultural districts, it is difficult to evoke the sympatMes of the public to the extent of subscribing liberally towards the expenses wMch necessarily have to be incurred in getting up a ploughing match. Farmers, as a rule, are exceedingly enthusiastic in matters connected with their own line of business, and they take great pride in showing their skill in ploughing at least once annually, but if the local committees are placed in a position to offer really good prizes, it is only describing the ordinary reflex of human nature when we say that that enthusiasm is likely to be increased in an equal ratio commensurate with the greater amount of inducement offered ; in plain terms it would cause a great many more persons to enter into competition for Hie increased prizes. . . The match which took place yesterday, although termed the Mandeville Ploughing Match, is in point of fact, the Kaiapoi Ploughing Match, but the originators of tMs annual match, which is the oldest institution of the sort in the province, were compelled at the-time of its origin—l 4 years ago—to take in the whole of the Mandeville district with a view to ensuring success in the then thinly Populated state of the district. That they have been successful in carrying out the event each succeeding year cannot bb questioned, when the match we are at present recording is the fourteenth that has taken place. In the early days, Rangiora claimed kindred with the Mandeville Farmers’ Club, but of late years their own district rose to sufficient importance to warrant them in establishing an annual match on their own account; and the consequence was, they seceded from the old parent institution. Since then, although the old name has still been retained, the matches iu reality should have been described as the Kaiapoi Ploughing Match, The present match is the opening event of the season, as is invariably the case, and the other district committees it is gratifying to observe, are re-forming for the numerous coming contests. Every year brings out new ploughing matches to add to our annual list, and the praiseworthy example shown this year by the inhabitants of Papanui in this respect will, we hope, be productive of the success which the enterprise and energy shown by the committee merits. Several other districts intend, wo believe, to follow their example this season. The match yesterday was held in a paddock on the Native reserve, near Harrison’s bridge, about two and a half miles distant from Kaiapoi, and one and a half miles distant from Woodend. It is situated on the west side of the Great North Road, and from its close proximity to it, was remarkably easy of access. Beyond this it was very unsuitable for the purpose of a ploughing match, and it required all the tact which the committee, in their great experience in such matters possessed to lay out the different sections for the competitors, so that each should not have any advantage over his fellow. The surface of the paddock allotted to tho wheel, swing, and boys’ classes was very uneven, but the committee had been fortunate enough in obtaining permission to place the champion and double-furrow classes in an adjoining paddock, the property of Mr T. H. Hamson. The latter paddock was a really good piece of ground for competitors for agricultural honours to perform upon. The soil in both paddocks was of a loose loamy nature, but it did not hold so much water from the late rains os one would naturally assume to have been the case. The entries were in excess of last year, and at the time appointed by the rules twenty-three teams appeared upon the ground. There were twenty-four entries in all, but one did not put in an appearance. The amount of land allotted to each of the ploughmen was about three-eighths of an acre, and the conditions were that it was to be ploughed in one centra piece and two ridges. The competitors all got fairly started at 10.30 a.m., when they were informed that each section was to be finished by 3 p.m. The weather during the match was all that could be desired by the most fastidious, and the consequent result was that towards the afternoon a large number of persons availed themselves of the opportunity of witnessing the match. During the day great speculation was evinced as to the probable winners, but all present conducted themselves very orderly. Our admittedly very efficient police force was represented by Serjeant Pratt, and although no doubt ho was ready for action had necessity compelled him to carry out the functions of his office, his services were not called into requisition. The booth on the ground was under the management of Mr Bunup, of the Kaiapoi Hotel, and it it needless to say that he dispensed the “ creature comforts ” in his usual first-class style. A marked improvement on former years was that he had a good-sized tent erected, where the committee, and all others who desired it, had luncheon during the day. Several sporting games such as are to be met with at similar gatherings were upon the ground ; and while the judges-were occupied in considering their awards, some feats of horsemanship were indulged ip by the sporting portion of the community. Great merriment was caused by some impromptu races that were got up outside the paddock. The following are the particulars of the entries :

While the judges were occupied judging each man’s work we proceeded to make a tour of inspection over the field, and we found that taking the work as a whole it was an exceedingly poor specimen of what one would expect to see at a ploughing match. This result was, however, mainly attributable to the roughd an uneven nature of the land, and the loose soil to be turned up. The soil would not adhere together when put up and consequently the field presented a rough broken appearance when the teams were removed, and the judges’ labours commenced. First on the list came the champion class, in which there were only three competitors. Such a small number of contestants in this the principal class and at the first matah of the season does not speak well for the pluck of those who took first honours at |the district matches last season. The first to claim attention in this class is W. Ladbrook, a southern representative, who was successful in carrying off several first prizes at last year’s competition in the northern district. He is undoubtedly a really good ploughman, but his work yesterday was not up to his usual average. True the ground was not all that could be desired, but still the work lacked that artistic finish which is a necessary ingredient in prize work. , He made a very fair start and struck out a good line. His furrows showed a fair cut angle, but his packing was deficient. Besides he cut one furrow too much on the right hand side of his main ridge and made his work look 1 very unequal. His finish was very passable. Taking all the faults into consideration it was unquestionably the best work in. the class, although that is not saying W. Dixon struck out a good line, and cut his main ridge more equal than Ladbrook. His fiering was, however, too cramped and his' furrows were rather flat, but he made a better seed-bed than his more formidable opponent. His finishes were also very good. M'Qowau’s work was not by any means champion work, and probably he was of the same opinion himself as he did not finish his allotment.

In the swing class there was some good strong farm work. A. Cowie struck out a very fair line, and made a moderately good beginning, but his ridge was rather pramped. Although his furrows were ploughed rather flat, the work upon the whole, was of a good solid nature, and his finish was up to the average. S. Morris made some very rough work, and there was really nothing in it which calls for any special comment. His finish was just passable, but the work throughout was very loosely put together. G. Leighton’s work was even worse than Morris’, and certainly did not deserve the name of ploughing match work. Toviotdale turned out a piece of very creditable work with an old Barrowman plough. His line, angle, and finish were alike good, the former being the best in the class. The work was packed very solid, and showed clearly that the ploughman understood the science which is required in holding a swing plough. T. Frame, from the appearance of his work had too much cut on his plough. His. Bering was too high and his finish a great deal too wide. In the wheel class J. Copeland first claims ' attention. His work wan very fair throughout, and his line and finish were both passable. James Fisher also made good work. He turned out a well ploughed ridge, and his Bering was very good. His line was, in our opinion, the best in the field. T. Burgin’s work was very open and loosely put together. His finish was very slovenly done, and his line was not so straight as it might have been. Still it must be remembered that he is young at ploughing, and he will no doubt profit greatly by a little more experience. A. Merrin’s work was very uneven and his line was bad, but a certain amount of allowance must be made for this result, as his allotment was near a stack of straw, and a portion of it had got trodden into the ground by the cattle. G. Ladbrook is another southern representative, and a brother of the champion, and his; work is of such an excellent nature that he vdll soon outstrip his brother if he continues to progress at the same rate as he has done during the past two years. Elis general work was in our opinion better than his brother’s, if we except the fact that he is slightly deficient in judgment. He turned out a well ploughed ridge; his fiering and line were also good, but his finish was rather cramped at one end and too wide at the other. These defects, however, only require j udgment, and that is only to be gained by attention and practice. R. Thomas is the next on the list, and his work was an exceedingly creditable specimen of ploughing. His packing was very fair, but he had cut his fiering too high. One of .his finishes was really good, but the other was not so clean. A. Kidd struck out a very good line, and made fair work. Hi« fiering was the best in the field, but his finish was barely up to the average. Thomas King mode very loose open work, and cut his furrows tod nat. Martin Wilkinson’s work was also very loosely put together. His line was rather shaky, and his was by no means prize work, T. Croft was very deficient in packing, and his line was not straight, but his finish was very good and close. In the Boys’ Class there were only three competitors, and two of them were remarkably good at the work. As a class, the work done by the boys was unmistakeably better than that turned out by the men in any other class in the field. A. Robinson’s work would have done credit to many of the men, and he well deserved the prize that the committee awarded him. W. Dixon’s work was not far behind that of Robinson’s in point of merit, and he has improved in his work since last year. C. Skevington was rather too young to be able to handle the plough, and bo could hardly turn it at the ends of the ridge.- Still he deserves to be highly commended for his work, and as an inducement to encourage the boys, a third prize was awarded in this class. In the Double-furrow Class there is nothing particular to note, as there were only two ploughs entered, and neither of them appeared to do their work well The first on the list is W. Plaskett, and he turned out some fair work, but it cannot be termed good. The work was very loose, and it left a bad seedbed. The plough appeared to be cutting too deep, and the furrow was cut too narrow. Every excuse ought to be made for this, when the fact is token into consideration that the plough was only turned out of tho shop a few days before the match, and sufficient time had not been allowed to give it a fair trial. T. Cavill, the other competitor in this class, did not strike out a good lino, and his furrows were laid too flat. The plough did not cut equal furrows, and did not appear to bo properly set. It had just the very opposite fault to the one used by Plaskett. The work done was very loose, hut tho seed-bed was better than Plaskett’s.

The teams upon the ground were of a very superior quality, and they reflected great credit upon their respective owners. The judges for the ploughing wore Messrs W. Dalzief, Leithfield; W. Dunlop, Heathcote Yalley; and W. Scoon, :tlangiora. The judges of. the horses and harness were Messrs W. M'Qregor, P. O’Neil, and W. Milne, all of whom appeared to give satisfaction in their awards, or which the following is a list Champion Ciabs.— First prize, £6, W. Ladbrook ; second prize, £4, W. Dixon. Swing Class. —First prize.— £5, C. Teviotdale ; second prize, £3,|JA.||Cowie ; third prize, £l,B. Morris.

Wheel Class.— First prize, £5, G. Ladbrook j second prize, £3 10e, E. Thomas j third prize, £2, James Fisher; fourth prize, £l, A. Kidd. Boys’ Class.— First prize, £4, W. Dixon j second prize, £2 10», A. Robinson; third prize, C. Skovingtori. Double Furrow Class.— First prize,' £5, W. Plaskett; second prize, £2 10s, T. Cavill j Extra Prizes. —Nor the best kept harness, first prize, a pair of blinkers, value £1 ss, given by Mr Boyle, saddler, Christchurch, 0. Toviotdale ; second prize, 15s, M. Wilkinson; third prize, 7s 6d, Thos. King; A. Cowie, highly commended. For the best groomed horses, first prize a pair of blinkers fiven by Mr C. Hansen, saddler, Kaiapoi, [. Wilkinson ; second jirize, 15s, A. Herrin j third prize, 7s 6d, G. Leighton. For the best matched team, first prize, a pen of Bramah fowls, given by Mr Wood, saddler, Christchurch, M. Wilkinson. THE DINNER. The annual dinner in connection with the ploughing match took place at the Kaikainui Assembly Room last evening, at which 80 persons sat down to a capital spread provided by host Harris in his usual first-class style. Dr Dudley, the president of the club, occupied the chair; Mr J. Beswick, M.P.C., member for the district, and Mr J. F. Nettleton occupied the vice chairs. The judges and committee occupied the head of the table on the right and left of the chairman. The cloth having been removed, the chairman asked those present to charge their glasses and drink to the health of “ Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, the Prince of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family.” In proposing the toast he referred at some length to the recovery of the Prince of Wales from his late serious illness, and said he was certain that all present were exceedingly gratified at the result. He knew that the people of Kaiapoi were always ready to shew their loyalty in a most demonstrative manner.

The toast was drunk with musical honours and three times three.

Song—“ Cheer up, Sam,” Mr A. M'Donald. The Chairman next proposed the health of his Excellency the Governor and his Honor the Superintendent. He said that whatever differences might exist between his Honor and those immediately, connected with him in the administration of the . affairs of the province, he was sure that his Honor had the interests of the province at heart, and that his actions were, he believed, thoroughly conscientious. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Song—“ Mary, the star of Glengarry,” Mr Pashby. The next toast the Chairman proposed was the health of the members of the Provincial Council. He referred in some humorous terms to the abuse which that body had been subjected to of late. He would like to have seen Mr Joynt, the member for the town, present, and Hr M. Dixon, the member for the district. As they were not present, he would couple the toast with the name of Mr Beswick. The toast was drank with the usual honours.

Mr Beswick responded, and said that, as the Chairman had stated, the members of tho Provincial Council were a very much abused body, he supposed that, in some instances, they deserved it. He could only say this: That as long as he hod the honour of representing the ; district, he would perform his duty without favouring any particular section of the community. (Cheers.) Song—Mr Parnham.

The chairman next named the winners in the match that bad taken place that day, and presented the prizes according to the awards of the judges. He complimented the various winners on the success that had attended their efforts to excel in the art of ploughing, and hoped that the success which they had met with that day would be repeated when next they met to contest the various events at the Kaiapoi Ploughing Match. He was informed by the judges that the work done that day was exceedingly good, but the ground was exceedingly bad. They had had a match' that day which he was sure reflected great credit upon the district. He would now propose “ The success;, ful competitors,” coupled with the nime of' Mr Ladbrook, the champion of the day, and Mr Plaskett, ex-champion and winner of the double-furrow class that day. Song—“ In a quiet sort of way,” Mr R. V. Rose.

Messrs Ladbrook and Plaskett briefly responded to the toast of the successful competitors, and hoped that those who hod been unsuccessful to-day Would be more favoured by fortune on a future occasion. Mr J. Beswick proposed the health of “The unsuccessful competitors.” The toast was drank with the nsual honours. Song—“ Robert Thompson’s Smiddy.” The Chairman said the next toast on the list was one which ought to have been given earlier in the evening, that was “ the Judges.” They held a most unenviable position, for if their awards were ever so good and conscientious there were some who might question their decisions. He was happy to say that such a thing as grumbling at the awards of the judges had never been heard of in Kaiapoi, that ho was aware of. While proposing the toast of the judges, he would like to state that he did not agree with the old notion of keeping the judges off the ground during the match. He was in favour of allowing the judges to go on the ground at any time during the day, as he was certain that it would not in any way militate against the honest decision that they had always arrived at. (Cheers.) He would couple with the toast the names of the judges —Messrs Dalziel, Dunlop, Scoon, Milne, O’Neil, and M'Gregor. The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr Dalziel responded on behalf of his fellow judges. Song—“ Local Musical Melange ” —Mjr J. F. Nettleton.

Mr J. F. Nettleton, in a very eulogist!* speech, proposed the healths of Messrs Pashby and Edwards, the Hon. Secretaries in connection with the match. The toast was drunk with musical honours. Song—“ I’m a gent,” Mr Thompson. Messrs Pashby and Edwards replied to the toast in appropriate terms. Mr J. Beswick proposed the health of the President of the Mandeville Farmers Club, Dr Dudley. In doing’so, he alluded to the able manner in which their present chairman had presided over their annual convivial meetings attached to their ploughing matches. It was necessary to have a good head to all institutions, and he was confident that they could not get a better head than their present chairman.

Song—“ The Bonnie Hills of Scotland,” Mr J. Stratton.

Dr Dudley replied to his health, and said that he had very great pleasure in [rising to respond to his health as proposed by Mr Beswick. He had always taken a great interest in the management of the Mandeville ploughing match, as he was one that was the first to initiate that institution. There was very little credit due to him for the success that hud attended the Kaiapoi ploughing match during the past fourteen years, but that success was mainly due to the energetic efforts of Messrs Pashby and Edwards,their hon. secretaries. The committee had also been very energetic, and he bad great pleasure in proposing their healths. He did not wish it to be understood inhis individualising any particular member of tho committee, that he wished to place the others in the shade, but he would name two persons in connection with the toast whose faces were very familiar at all meetings of the committee. Those gentlemen were Messrs Birnie and Stevenson. The toast was drunk enthusiastically. Song—“ The Jolly Ploughman,” Mr W. Plaskett. Messrs Birnie and Stevenson responded to the toast of the committee, and stated that they wore always willing in tho interests of agriculture to do the best they could to support the match. (Cheers). Other toasts, including “ The Mayor and Corporation of the town,” which was responded to by his Worship the Mayor (Mr B. G. Kerr); “ Tho Visitors, coupled with the name of Mr Duncan of Hillsborough “ The Prize Givers, with tho nameof Mr C. Hansen “ The Host and Hostess, and Our next merry meeting,” were given, and the meeting dispersed at the small hours, after indulging in conviviality with their wonted enthusiasm.

CHAMPION CLASS. Owner of Ploughman. Maker of Team. Plough. W. Ladbrook Owner Blyth W. Dixon Owner Hornsby J. M'Gowan Owner M’Nolly SWING CLASS. H. and A. Smith A. Cowie Grey G. Young S, Morris Keotiev J. Walla C. Toviotdalo Barrowman J. Walls G. Leighton Kcetley Thos. Frame Owner M'Netfy WHEEL CLASS. Kelchcr, Brothers J. Copeland Kcotloy James Fisher Owner Kcetley T. Burgin, sen. T. Burgin Blyth J . Mcrrin A. Morrin Keetley W. Ladbrook G. Ladbrook Blyth R, Thomas Owner Blyth Thos. Ellis A. Kidd Hornsby R. King Thou. lung Kcetley J. Walls M. Wilkinson Hornsby Thos. Croft Owner Hornsby BOT8 CLASS. C. Skovington, sen. C. Sieving ton Hornsby W. Dixon, sen. W. Dixon Hornsby W. Judsou A. Robinson Hornsby HOrBLE-l’URKOW CLASS. Joseph Koetlcy W, Blaskctt Kcetley Thos. O’Callaghan T. Cavill Duncan