TOKOMAIRIRO PLOUGHING MATCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 209, 9 August 1862, Page 5

TOKOMAIRIRO PLOUGHING MATCH.

(VROM OCR OWN CORKBSPO.VDKNT.)

The Tokomairiro Agricultural Society's annual ploughing match took place according to announcement, on Wednesday. The morning was a most lovely one, and from an early hour the various roads leading to the place of contest were alive with teams wending their way towards it. The piece of ground selected, was a "grass paddock, the property of J. Smith, Esqr, and was well suited for the purpose. Lots were drawn for the allotments of ground, and then ploughmen aud their friends set to work at pitching feeriug rods. Th is very-important preliminary haying been satisfactorily accomplished, the teams were got into position, and at 11 o'clock, a gun was fired and thirty-five teams started. The horses were gaily decorated with ribbons, kc, although, of course, the mud which they had to come through before reaching the field, considerably detracted from their appearance. One portion ofthe field had been appropriated to bullocks, and it was a significant sign of the progress of the District, that only four bullockteams were entered. At all the previous matches, they had been in the majority, but this time, tliere was not a single team of bul'ocks in yoke on the field. The pair that started being in harness. At half-past twelve another gun was fired as a signal for lunch, for which purpose half an hour's interval was allowed.

A considerable [number of spectators were present but of course, they were not allowed to go on to the ground which was being ploughed. The time allowed to horses for accomplishing the work (a third of an acre), was three hours and three quarters, and to bullocks, four hours and a half. The last team of each class, had, however, got through about three quarters of an hour before the expiration of the time, and the Judges then commenced their arduous duties. The gentlemen who officiated in this capacitv were Messrs. Todd, Cullen, Shaw, and Murray, of the'Taieri. and Mr. Kennedy, of Green Island. Their award was not made public until the evening, when the Chairman of the Dinner announced the names of the successful competitors. These were :— Ist prize, L5, A. Christie, ploughman to Mr. J. Ross. 2nd do., L4, Wm. Fargie, Air. J. Smith. 3rd do., L3, J. Dobson, Mr. A. Duthie. 4th do., L2, Wm. Gray, owner. sth do., J. Hamilton, Mr. E. Martin. Had not the roads been so bad, it was understood that the entries from the District would have been much more numerous ; and, also, that several ploughs from other Districts would have competed. The arrangements of the day were excellent, and reflected great credit on the committee, {the above meeting passing off in a most satisfactory manner. The committee intimated that the Society intended to have a Stock Exhibition in the course of the summer. One feature iu the day's proceedings was worthy of especial notice. The plough (a wheel one), which carries off the third prizt was of local manufacture, having been made by Mr. Bryee, blacksmith and agricultural implement maker, of this District. THE DINNER. The Society's usual dinner took place in the evening, at Mr. Good all's new hotel. The viands were plentiful, plain, and substantial, and were done ample justice to, by the S3 people who sat down to them. .J. L. Gillies, Esq., M.P.C, occupied the chair, the vice-chair being filled by J. Dewe, Esq. J.P. The edibles having been duly discussed, the Chairman proposed—" The Queen and Royal Family," saying ua it was the first occasion of their meeting together; since their beloved Sovereign had suffered her recent bereavement, it would be suitable for them to dispense with the usual boisterous enthusiasm, with which they were wont to receive tbe toast. The toast was accordingly drank in sience, all •tanding up. The t"ice-Cbairman had a toast to propose, which he was sure they would receive well. It was that of ( •' His Excellency the Governor and House of Repre-

sentahves." Sir George Grey had once more returned to the colony, and he was sure they would welcome mm back. Sir George had already done the colony much good, and was likely to do it more. Ihis toast was most heartily responded to. The Chairman then gave " The Army and Navy," calling; on any gentleman present who wa3 connected with either service to respond to it. Sir. Hardy remembered that once, on a similar occasion to the present, there had been a great deal said about Volunteers, and a corps had been raised m lokomairiro, and officera elected. He saw the gentleman who had been chosen as Captain sitting beside the Chairman, and would proDose coupling the army and navy with the name of Captain Smith, of the 1 otcomamro Volunteers. Amid roars of laughter, Mr. Smith responded, but disclaimed all claim to the title of Captain. The \ ice-Chairman gave "The Superintendent and Provincial coupled with the name of Mr Todd.' He wa3 sure tliat when his Honor heard that there had been a ploughing match and dinner, he would regret not having been present, as he was on the last occasion. Mr. Todd, M.P.0., responded. He was sorry the bouucil had not found a better representative, but he waa sure that the Superintendent would always do his duty, and he hoped that the Council would do the same. • The Chairman then proposed the toast ofthe evening— "rhe succ."Ssful competitors." The Aoricultural Society had been established now for"three years, nnd this was their second ploughing match Last year they had all deserted the plough for the sluice, spade, pick, long torn, and tin dish, but thev had now returned to their farming again. There was a marked change to be seen since that time On previous occasions there was always a preponderance of bullock teaim in the field. This change wa? the more visible to the old identity. There was afco a chancre for the batter in the character of the land for ploughing. It used to be always new land; this time however, they hail a piece of nice artificial erass land' and this gave the men a better chance of turning out good work. At their next meeting he hoped to witness a still greater improvement, as many of the men who had that day competed lacked practice the majority of them being new comers. He saw but few ot ihe old faces at work. There was an entirely new set of faces, and they bad done themselves credit bv the work they had that dav done. He did not believe in the antagonism between old and new of vh:ch they sometimes heard. Five or six yeare ,W the whole plain could not have shown as much land under cultivation, as some individuals could now show. And some people had now more chains of fencing on their own property than was to be found in the whole district at that time. They were sure it slow, as some people term d them. In this colonv every man could soon make for himself a position in society, and a comfortable home. This he knew from experience was anything but easy in some of the neighbouring colonics. Here, a man had advantages which he had in no other colonv, and the best proof of it was to be found in the position which many that day present, had acquired for themselves. The Chairmaa then declared the names of the successful competitors and the toast was done full justice to Mr A. Christie, the winner of the first prize, responded. ' Mr. Smith proposed "The Judges who had so kindly braved the [dangers of a sea of mud to come there that day." Mr. Kennedy assured them, that it had afforded hira and his colleagues great pleasure to be present and they would willingly como on any future occasion e%'en through seas of mud. He and his colleagues had ceen quite unanimous in their award, and they were much pleased with the work douo. It was all very creditable, and some of it remarkably good. He believed Tokomairiro was sjoing on faster than any other pait of the Province. He was also glad to learn that the Agricultural Soeety intended to have a Cattle Show, as the importance of sueh shows could scarcely be overrated. They had brought the breedin* of stock at home to its present state of perfection. &He had much pleasure in proposing "Success to the Tokomairiro, Agricultural Society, coupled with the name oi Mr. Hardv."

Mr. Hardy scarcely thought that he deserved the honor. He had, however, been connected with the Society for a long time, and he thought that it deserved the support of the Province at large. The first ploughing match, he believed, in Otago, had taken place in Tokomairiro, on the 10th of April, 1850, and he then remembered seeing many of those who that day had sent their servants, holding the stilts themselves there. Mr. il: Martin, on tbat occasion, took apprize, and also their worthy Chairman ; while the Vice-Chairman was also a competitor. The next year 11 or 13 ploughs were entered, and one man came with a team composed of a bull and a cow. The following year 37 were entered, but only 27 started. He regretted that there had not been 70 this year; but still 35 was nothing to be ashamed of. Thev had also had a stock exhibition, and the judges then" had told them that there was great room for improvement. At the next show he hoped that they would see the improvement. Long speeches he knew thev did not like; they were only fit for a dull place like the Provincial Council. He would, therefore, again thank them on behalf of the Society, and sit down. The Chairman then gave the "Pastoral Interest," whichjthey had placed first on the list of a certain classof toasts, to do away with the impression of antagonism between the* Pastoral and Agricultural interests. Mr. W. Millar acknowledged the toast. The Vice Chairman bad great pleasure in proposing the " Mining Interest," to which they all owed so ! much, and which had made the place what it was. He would couple the toast with thc namo of Mr. Jones, ofthe Bank of New Zealand. Mr. Jones thanked them for the honor they had done him. It gave him great pleasure to be in the midst of so many pleasant faces, as those around him. He was a new-comer, aud esteemed it a privilege to be present. He thanked them, on behalf of" the miners, and was sure that they would agree with him that a better behaved class of people never existed. (Great applause.) file would propose three-times-tbree for the Miner.?, which was most enthusiastically accorded. Mr. Hardy proposed the " Commercial Interest." It was tlie duty of the " Agricultural Interest" to i grow wheat, oats, and potatoes ; of the " Pastoral Interest'' to grow beef and mutton ; ofthe "Mining Interest" to eat these articles; and they wanted the " Commercial Interest" to transfer them from one to the otber. Mr. M'lndoe responded. "The Agricultural Interest," coupled with the name of Mr. Duthie, was responded and duly acknowledged ; as, also, the " Unsuccessful Competitors," which was proposed by tbe winner of the first prize. " The Visitors" were then proposed, and responded to by Mr. Todd. The Chairman then gave the " Press," which was acknowledged by Mr. Ham, of the Otaqo Colonist, who expressed the high satisfaction he had experienced in being present. Mr. E. T. Gillon had a toast to propose, whieh he was almost afraid to do after the eloqu»nce which his predecessor had displayed. He should not have courage to do it were he not certain that it would go home to the hearts of them all. It was that of the " sex whose presence civilizes ours." He was sure tbey would all drain a bumper to this toast, as many of them had wives, and the others sweethearts. He had great pleasure in proposing " The Ladies." __ Mr. Pitcairn responded on behalf of the sex. - " The Chairman '' was proposed bv Mr. Jones, and duly honored; as well as the " Vice-Chairman," wbich closed the proceedings. The intervals between the toasts were occupied by appropriate songs by various gentlemen. The whole passed off in a most orderly and satisfactory manner.