TAIERI DERBY PLOUGHING MATCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4173, 3 July 1875, Page 3

TAIERI DERBY PLOUGHING MATCH.

■ (by our special reporter.) Committee of Management:—Messrs Geo. Pram, J. Robertson, J. Brown, Samuel Young, J. Forrest, J. Aitken, J. Cullen. Judges : Messrs Wni. Paul (Palmerston), Walter Park (Blueskin), and James Duthie (Tokomairiro). Hon. Treasurer, Mr Jas. Cullen;.Hon. Secretary, Mr Jas. A. Callander.

The annual Taieri Derby Ploughing Match m took place yesterday on Mrs Win. Steven- ai son's farm, Wingatui, East Taieri. Ihe « morning, as on several days previously, wore w a threatening aspect, and tome slight showers ™ fell, but the sky gradually cleared and the aj afternoon proved iiue, Old Sol occasionally « patrouismg the hardy tillers of the. soil w by his welcome beams. The Maunga- s( tua ranges were capped with snow. The P ploughs were started at 9.40 a m., and eon- w tinut-d working steadily till shortly after 4 « o'clock. , , ... fl As usual, many of the horses were tastefully v decorated with ribbons of the gayest colours. » Considering the very inclement weather that *| we have had recently, there was a good at- c tendmice, about 200 persons being present o. during the afternoon. The fair sex were not » so well represented as on the occasion of <- the North Taieri Derby Ploughing Match. « However, according to an old '1 aiei l friend of « ours, the day was really splendid for plough- p ing, and could scarcely have been better. The proprietors of the farm being advocates of the Good Templars' principles, the booth containing alcoholic beverages was erected on the Corporation ground adjoining, and presided over by Mr Webb, of the Uommercial Hotel, Mosgiel. Mrs Stevenson kindly supplied refreshments to the competitors, the hot coffee especially being much appreciated. The paucity of the entries, which numbered only twenty, may be satisfactorily accounted for by tha recent rainy season. The number of entries last year was 28 ; in 1873 47 ; and in 1872, 46. The rich, loamy soil, scarcely showing a paiticle of clay, had only been laid down in grass for about three years, and was consequently not very firm. The various competitors appeared to strain every nerve to secure accuracy_ in ploughing" the furrows, and thereby gain first lonours. Their work was so nearly equal in point of merit that the Judges occupied some considerable time in arriving at a decision. The silver medal for the champion lot on the field was awarded to John Edwards of Last Taieri. who secured the fiist piize in Class A. Robert Smellie had not finished his lot, and, according to the Judges, this oversight lost him the championship. The medal contained the following inscription :—" Presented by John Hislop, jeweller, Duneain, 1875. Derby Ploughing Match. Won byThere were on'y two entries in class B, against seventeen last year, aud James Broddie secured the prize. In Cla«s C, Robert Millar lodged a ptotest" on account of alleg-id seniority against John Chirnside, who arrived here 17 years ago, and will be 20 in August next. The protest was therefore not sustained, though the young man's elderly appearance subjected him to general remark Robert Sinellie was awarded iiist honours in Class D. Mr Joseph Mackay's prize (a book valued at 10s Gil) for the youugest ploughman in the field fell to Alexander Millar. The valuable hat presented by Mr J. Muir(AlmaoandCo.), Dunedin, was secured by one of the Committee, Mr James Forrest, who instead thereof gave a guinea to the funds. This course was pursued in consequence of the amusement derived from a similar special prize presented last year, so that the winner could not wear his trophy. A magnificent pair of mares belonging to Mr Muir, of North Taieri, were nauoh admired About 5.30 p.m. a numerous crowd assembled near the booth to ascertain the awards of the Judges, the announcement of wnoso decisions was very favoural.ly received. Excellent order prevailed throughout the day. We have to thank Mrs Stevenson aud the Committee for their courtesy. Subjoined is the. prize list: — Class A.—Open to all comers. Five entries. Owners. Ploughmen. Ploughs. Tlionws Christie Self Ponton. James Cullen W. Cullen do James Cullen Adam Hamilton Fowl r. Alex. Canipbe'l Self Ponton. J. kA. Robertson John Edwards do. First prize, £0, John Edwards ; second prize, £5, Thomas Christis ; commended, W. Cullijii. Class U.—First, second, and third prizi-takers excluded Two ent, ies. Owners. ■ Ploughmen. Ploughs. Robert Muir James Kroddie l'o:itoa ■ John Sutherland David .Sutherland do First prize, £«, James Broddie. CLASS C—Juniors under 20 years of age. Three entries. Owners. Ploughmen. Plou(,'!iß. Robert Millar Alex. Millar Ponton KolicrtT.idd John Chirnside do P. S. Cullen John Richards do First prize, £6, John Chirnside; second prize, £1, Alex. Millar. CiAss D.—Double furrow p'oughs. Ten entries. Owners. Ploughmen. Ploughs. Wm. M'Ewan Sel£ Reid and Gray James Cullon Jame3 CuTcn Jack (Maybole) Mrs John Gow Thos Elliott Held and Gray Young & Smellie Robert Smellie do James Aitken James i'urquuuson. do Wm. Stevenson Self do J. & A. Robertson Wm. Cooper do P. Adamson i?el£ do Andrew Todd Samuel ll'Tttpgart Jack W. A. Todd John Winchester do First prize, £C, Robert Smellie; second, £5, Thos. Elliott; third, £4, Wm. Cooper; fourth, £3, P. Adamson. ______________