AUCKLAND AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7693, 19 July 1886, Page 14

AUCKLAND AGRICULTURAL & PASTORAL ASSOCIATION.

PLOUGHING MATCH. The ploughing matches, which formerly ware held annually, but which during the last year or two were allowed to drop through, have been revived, and the success which attended the ploughing match on July 14 is sufficient to show the continued interest whioh is taken in those contests, and should be sufficient to prove to the association that the promotion of these annual competitions is not the least of its functions. The place selected, or rather that offered for the match, was a splendid 50-aure paddock on Mr. W. F. Massey's farm, Mangere, about 36 acres of which were available. The judges selected were Mr. Westney, Mr. Harris (of Papa« toetoe), and Mr. Win. Hale, for the ploughing, and Mr. A. McNicol and Mr. Bell for the horses. The following are the result* of the various competitions: — Class A : Double-furrow, open to all comers. Ist prize, £7 and cup ; 2nd, £4 ; 3rd, special, value £2; and 4th, special, value £1. —W. Gray, Ist; W. Morris, 2nd; W. May, 3rd; VV. J Douglas, 4th; David Aitkenhead, A. Robinson, Robert Brown, J. Maconachie, and W. Dixon also competed; and H. Porter, who had also entered, was absent. Jhe work in this class was, if not first class, very even, and the judge's award was made with difficulty. Class B: Single furrow. Open to all comers. Ist prize, £5 and cup; 2nd, £3; 3rd, special, value £2 ; 4th, special, value £I.—Henry Long, Ist; C. Aitkenhead, 2nd; Isaac Gray, 3rd; J. Paton, Wairoa, 4th. Andrew Buchanan, William Aitkenhead, Joseph Armstrong, Fred. Brown, Fred. Ballard, and Heury Brown also competed. The work was so even in this class that the judges were engaged for a very long time in coming to a decision. Their awards were not questioned, but amongst the moat com* petent men on the ground there was a feeling of sympathy with them in having to make aa award where the work throughout was bo excellent. Class C : Any plough for boys under 20 years of age. Ist prize, £4 ; 2nd, £2 ; 3rd, special.—There were four entries, but only three competitors — James Regan being absent—and the awards were as follow:— J. Robinson, Ist; J. Douglaß, 2nd; John Aitkenhead, 3rd. Class D.: Any plough, for boys under 16 years. Ist prize, £3 and cup; 2nd, £2; 3rd, special.—Tuere was only one competitor (William Scott), and he was deservedly awarded first prize for the splendid work he made ; and the same lad obtained additional honours, for to him was awarded the special prizes for the beat headland and the neatest finish. Mr. David Aitkenhead was awarded the special prize for the three-horse team—the horses belonging to Mr. G. Smith-and Mr. C. Aitkenhead got the prize forth© best twohorse team. The dinner in celebration of the ploughing match was held in the Criterion Hotel, Utahuhu, where a splendid and well served set of tables was laid by Mr. Willis in the large diningroom of the hotel. Mr. A. Buckland (President of the Auckland Agricultural and Pastoral Association) presided, and Mr. J. Bainbridge occupied the vice-chair. The tables having been cleared, and glasses charged, a number of toasts were given and duly responded to. A peasant evening was spent,