PLOUGHING AND DRAINING MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4259, 8 July 1875, Page 3

PLOUGHING AND DRAINING MATCH.

The New Zealand Agricultural Society's annual ploughing and draining match was held on 10th June, in Mr. Thomas Rogers' field,at Papatoitoi. The weather was favourable, ami the ground was in good condition for ploughing, with tho exception that the looseness of the sub soil gave the furrows the appearance of being smaller than they actually were. The ploughing and draining yesterday was pronounced by competent practical men to be really of a first-clas3 description, which could not be excelled in the colonies. The matches were also highly satisfactory as to the number of entries and the interest which' was taken in the several events. There was a good attendance, and the contest was quite as interesting and satisfactory to many—if not so exciting—as horse-racing or regatta competitions. It was also an event which would commend itself to those who are apt to regard everything from a practical anil utilitarian point of view, and to all others who arc acquainted with the real value of successful agriculture to our province. The stewards of the Agricultural Society had made very complete arrangements for the several matches. A

strikiug feature yesterday was the number of the special prizes awarded, these having been presented to the Society for that purpose. The gentlemen who acted as juugos throughout the day were men whose long experience had rendered them eminently fitted for the position tliey filled in a thoroughly sastisfactory inanuer. The names of the Judges were:—Mr. John Wallace (of Flat Bush), Mr. John Hedge (of Waiuku), and Mr. T. D. Clcghorii (of Epsom). Plouuiuno-Matvu (Singlk Furrow). — There were no less than nine entries made for the single furrow ploughing-match, for which three prizes of £5, £3, aud £1 were respectively offered. Two of the men who had entered, viz., A. Lamb aud F.

Dalton, wero absent from the match, so that the number of competitors was reduced to seven. Half-an-acre of ground had to be ploughed with the single furrow within live hours, and the whole of the ploughing was finished within the specified time. The awards made by the judges were as follow: —Henry Brown (for self), Ist prize ; Frederick Brown (for self), 2nd prize ; Thomas Tinrlall (for Brown and Campbell), 3rd prize. Tho winner of tho lirst prize used a pjough made by Howard, and the winner of the second prize a plough of Hornsby's manufacture. The names of the other com-

petitors in the match were John Taylor (for self), Geo. Lav (for Thomas Rogers), James Murphy (for Thomas Rogers), and James McCowan (for K. Bovey). John Taylor was tirst finished. He ploughed his half a.-re in. ">7 minutes under the stipulated time. None but wheel ploughs were used in any of the matches.

Boys Plouohini; Match.—This match : was open to boys under IS years of age, upon : similar conditions to the previous one. Two j prizes were awarded by the .Society, viz., £2 and £1, and a third prize, a rilling whip, was given by Mr. A. Wiseman. In this ' match there were four entries, and the judges awarded the prizes as follow: —W. Gray (for himself), Ist prize ; M. Clarke (for James Wallace), 2nd prize ; Joseph Green (for J. Bovey), special prize. 1 These were all the competitors, as John .Smith, who had entered, did not appear. The winner of the first of these prizes used a plough made by Howard, and the winner of the second prize used a plough made bv Wallace. Dol'Bu: Frruiow Match.—For the match With double furrow ploughs there were four competitors. In this match an acre of ground had to be ploughed within the space of live hours, and in each case this was done. Two prizes—one £5 and the other £3—-were given. The result of the contest was:— James Langford (for D. Thompson), Ist prize ; William Morris (for James liobertson), 2nd prize. The other competitors were J. MeConnachie (for William McLaughlan), and Donald Clark (for James Wallace). The first prize was at lirst awarded to Donald Clark, but he was afterwards disqualified, uijon its being found that his number of furrows were not equal. Sl'Kuial Match.—lt was agreed by the members of the Society that it would be well to test the skill of the ploughmen in striking new ground, and a special match was organised. Prizes were offered for the best ridges made by single and dou-ble-furrow ploughs. The first prize, of £1, for the best ridge made with a single-furrow plough, was given to Harry Brown, and the second prize, of 55., to Thomas Tiudall. F. Brown also competed.—For the beat ridge made with the double-furrow plough, William Morris obtained the tirst prize of £1, and Donald Clark the second prize of ss. j Draining Match.—For this match throe persons entered. It commenced at 9 o'clock [ a.m., and the time allowed to inaka a drain 4o feet long by feet deep was live hours. The result was as follows :—Joseph Harper, Ist prize, £3 ; John Hogan, 2nd prize, £2. Gordon ltippey was disqualified, as his drain was not the required depth, and he exceeded the time allowed.

Si'Euial I'm/.KS.—Tlic spccial prizes were awarded a3 follows:—J. Taylor received Mr. Wiseman's bridle for being the first finished'; William Connoughtie, for first finished, double-furrow, received a valuable knife presented by Messrs. Cruieksh.uik and Miller ; VVm. Morris, for the best ridge, received Mr. Jones's bridle; Win. Cray, who took the boys' first prize, received two pairs of liamcs, given by Messrs. Morrin ; Timlall, for the best kept harness, received backhands, presented by Mr. Johnson; Henry Brown, for the best pair of ridges, received one pair of swingletrees, by Mr. Shippherd, and one pair given by Mr. Dunmoodie, of Onehunga ; D. Clarke, for the best ridge, double-furrow received Mr. Morgan's back bands ; and M. Clarke, who took boys' second prize, was also awarded a limiting whip, presented by Mr Wiseman.

The dinner was held in the large dining, room of the Criterion Hotel, Otahuliu. The ehair was taken by Mr. Win. (ioodfcllow (the Vice-President of the Society), anil the vice-chair was tilled by Mr. Woodward. About fifty gentlemen sat down to a bountiful ami Niiiistaiitial repast. At the conclusion of the din»cr the usual loyal and triotic toast* were drunk.