OTEPOPO. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Otepopo, July 30th, 1866.

North Otago Times, Volume VI, Issue 128, 2 August 1866, Page 3

OTEPOPO. ( FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) Otepopo, July 30th, 1866.

.' _ The Ploughing Match hero took place, as advertiied, on Friday lost, 27th inst. The morning was k-- tery mild, and most suitable in every respect for the K occasion. About the hour stated eleven ploughs — I 1 mean, of course, ploughmen as well — were on the .ground, prepared to compete for the honors of the 'day. Due time being allowed for readiness, and the rules being read aloud and tickets drawn, the signal for starting waa given, when all competitive activity and eagerness were manifested. The scene, not a little imposing at hand and even more so from a distance, was pleasingly enlivened by a large concourse of spectators, or 1 might rather say, admirers, amongst whom we observed many friends- from Oamaru and Hampden and contiguous placey Lime chcon was very liberally provided by Mr Mafcn. Mr Diehl, of the Herbert Hotel, also visited the field "with eating and drinking viands. The judges, who wore on the ground throughout the day, were prepared with their dectyon shortly affcor all the ploughmen wore out, which wa# in good time. Having the

decision communicated, the secretary announced, amidst cheers, the prizes and winners, as follows :— First Prize, L10 (valuo) . . Robert Brown Second do., L5 5s. (value) ... James Balfour Third do., L3 Angus Boss Fotlrth do., L2 . . ... John Henderson Fifth do., LI Andrew Davidson For bullocks in yoke, classified by themselves : — First Prize, L3 Walter Allan Second do., Ll 10s Wm. Frame Alluding to the above list, Messrs Robert Brown, Angus Ross, and Wm. Frame drove their own respective teams. James Balfour is ploughman to Mr Fenwick, Horseshoe ; John Henderson to Mr T. Henderson ; and Andrew Davidson to Mr A. Sprott ; Walter Allan drove Mr Speid's team. The character of the work, according to the opinion of the judges — Messrs Todd, Reid, and McGregor — was of a superior kind 5 one of them remarked that " there might have been thirty ploughs on the field, and yet no more good ploughmen than showed themselves that day." It would be ungrateful to pass without notice tho handsome and liberal gift of Mr Waddell, of Oamaru, to tho Society, in the form of a set of plough harness, valued at L10, and given as first prize at the Match ; and also tho generous donation of a set of equalising trees by Messrs Reid and Robert-son, Oamaru. After the distribution of prizes, the field was readily dosorted, many repairing to the Herbert Hotel, where dinner was in course of preparation. At six o'clock a really excellent dinner, one got up solely for the occasion, was surrounded by the respectablo aggregation of about forty. Mr T. Henderson occupied the chair, and Mr J. Cormack the vice-chair, which latter asked " tho blessing," after which all began heartily to gratify themselves by participating in the excellent provision before them. When this part of the business of the evening was over, and not the least pleasant or least enjoyed I'm sure, toast after toast, with speeches of various lengths and kinds freely interspersed, carried us on nnperceived until we found ourselves at ten o'clock. You will have a fair idea of tho course of things and the degree of enjoyment connected with them, by a glance at the programme of toasts, which were all moBt enthusiastically received : — 1. " The Queen." 2. " The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the other members of the Royal Family." 3. " The Army and Navy and Volunteers," responded to by Mr Morton. 4. " Tho Superintendent and Provincial Council," responded to by Mr Allan. 5. " The Agricultural and Pastoral Interests of the Province," responded to by Mr Craig. 6. "Tho Commercial Interests of the Province," rcspondod to by Mr Morton. 7. " The Judges," responded to by Messrs McGregor and Todd. 8. " The Successful Competitors," responded to by Mr Brown. 9. " The Unsuccessful Competitors," responded to by Mr Morton. 10. "Messrs Reid and Waddell," responded to by Messrs Reid and Waddell. 11. " The Agriculturists of Oamaru," responded to by Mr Allan. 12. " The Ladies," responded to by Mr Adam Anderson. 13. " Tho Host and Hostess," responded to by Mr Diehl. 14. " The President," responded to by the President. 15. " The Committee," responded to by Mr W. R. Spcid. 16. " The Secretary," responded to by the Secretary. In reviewing our first Ploughing Match, we have reason to congratulate ourselves that such success attended us amidst many circumstances not directly favorable. Our thanks are also due to many friends in Oamaru, who kindly gave us the hand of co-ope-ration.