BLUESKIN AND KILMOG PLOUGHING MATCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4174, 5 July 1875, Page 7

BLUESKIN AND KILMOG PLOUGHING MATCH.

Managing Members.—Mr Robert Rotlgers, chairman; Messrs K. B. Ferguson, J. Colehaii, J. Souiichs, T. Brown, D. Dunbar, A. Dodds, seiu-., A. Wilson, W. Pullar, J. Wetherstoiij G. Sutherland, .committee men, and J. Wright, lion. sec. and treasurer. The tenth annual match was held on the farm of Mr K. B. Ferguson; situate not far froru the main road, being easy of access, on the 18th ult, and, as the day happened to be a fine one for the r.eason of the year, sunshine, with a touch of King Frost in the atmosphere, yet not sufficient to in any Avay to harden the ground. The competitor* and visitors, of whom there was a sprinkling, from a distance,-principally North, were, naturally, pleased, for the work of the men kept them comfortably warm, and topcoats, with a practical application of the "moving about principle," had the same genial effect on the onlookers. It certainly not being n day for imbibing or partaking of the cold water cure (so near, under all circumstances, to some of our brothers and weaker vessels—in fnct,./fche idea of a "freeze inside " made one shiver) the adjacent Ws'itiiti Hotel was occasionally visited by sundry from the field. Yet, from first to 'last, there was not the slightest sign of intoxication upon any one attending the match, moderation being the order of the day. Many remarks were made about the work as it progressed, each competitor having his admirers and mends. Indeed, non-experts, or those slightly acquainted with the art of ploughing, evidently thought that the Judges would have some difficulty in deciding upon the merits of and classifying the prize-takers, and so .it tnrned out subsequently from what they said. Still there was not a murmur at their judgment, and it was generally allowed that in no match, previously had so much satisfaction been given by those gentlemen. Certainly three better men could not have been chosen for the purpose, one of them, Mr Wm. Paul, being, I believe, the acknowledged champion of the Province. The grounds-alluvial, on a shingle foundation—although as good a piece as any man could wish to own, and fi,t, as it was expressed, to grow anything—or, as one of the competitors called it, "a nursery "—was too loose. The particles would not hold together like clayey stuff, and ho each man h;,d his work cut out to form and lay his ridges. In spite of this drawback, the ploughing was excellent.

Mr and Mrs Ferguson provided an abundant and substantial luncheon for the men, who in return, I was told—cold weather and the smell of newly turned up soil having a capital effect on the appetite—substantially appreciated it. The Judges were Messrs Wm. Paul, of Palmerston; J. Cullen, East Taieri; and James Walker, Shag Valley; and their decisions, as intimated elsewhere, gave entire satisfaction. The Committee have requested me to tender their wannest thanks to the donors of goods and money. When tradesmen support such country societies in so liberal a way they deserve to be supported by the settlers in return.

As soon as the Judges had given in their decisions, the Secretary—whose courtesy in supplying desired infoimation I have much pleasure in acknowledging—read out the names, and then handed the prizes over to those who had been successful. The following is the prize list: — Seniors.—ll entries—lst, William Hamilton, ploughman and owner, L 3, and two pair blinkers, value L 2, given by Mr Dowse, Dunedin. 2nd, J. Harvey, ploughman and owner, L3, and one box tea, value LI Bs, given by Mr Quayle, Blueskin. 3rd, J. Lindsay, ploughman and owner, L 2 10s, and two pair plough back-bands, value LI ss, given by Mr Russell, Dunedin. 4th, M. Clydesdale, ploughman; W. Park, owner, L 2, and pair of watertight boots, value LI 4s, given by Mr Hutchinson, Dunedin. sth, T. M'Connell, ploughman, K. B. Ferguson, owner, LI 10s, and one dozen of apple trees, value LI 4s, given by Mr Alien, Dunedin.

Gth, W. Lunam, ploughman and owner, LI, and set of 6wingle-trees, value LI, given by Mr Cramond, Dunedin. Juniors.— Two entries. —Ist, James Drysdale, ploughboy, K. B. Ferguson,^owner, LI 10s, and set of swingle trees, value '20s, given by Mr M'Donald, Dunedin. 2nd, A. Watson, ploughboy, A. Martin, owner, LI, and names and chains, 12h Cd, given by Messrs Park and Curie, Dunedin. Special, best break, LI, given by Mr DodKon, Port Chalmers, W. Hamilton ; beat finish, LI, given by Mr D. Miller, Port Chalmers, W. Hamilton. Best matched horses, 10s, T. M'Connell, groom ; owner, K. B. Ferguson. Best groomed horses, 10s, P. Wilson, groom

P. O. Neill, owner. Best kept harness, 10s, G. Wilson. Tastiest turn out, lO.s, T. M'Connell. Best turn out, pair names,-, value 10s, given by Messrs Edmund, Forsyth, and M'Neill, Dunedin, T. M'Gonnell. Sti-aightcst ploughing, seniors, 20s, given by Mr Colehan, J. Lindsay; straighteat- ploughing, juniors, 10.-j, given by Mr Colehau, J. Drysdale. . About 5 p.m. dinner was held at the Waitati Hotel. The chair, in the absence of MY James Green. M.P.C. for the district, and who was unavoidably detained elsewhere, was filled by Mr Charlton, and tho Vice-chair by Mr Gill. In addition, about fifty gentlemen sat down to an excellent repast,"furnished by Mr and Mrs Colehan, in their usual capital style. After those present had satisfied themselves with the substantiate, the Chairman, in a few well chosen words, gave, the usual loyal toasts, followed by the "Army, Navy, and Volunteers"-;from the Vice-chair, and "His Honour the Superintendent and the Provincial Council" from the Chairman. .In proposing success to the "Blneskin and Kihnog Ploughing Society" the tenth annual meeting, the Chairman said that he felt gratified-to see tho way in which the competitors had turned out, the quality: of the horses, and general appearance of the field. The toast was received with great acclamation. The Vice-Chair then gave "The Judges." He said that without good judges to classify the good from the bad no progress would be made at ploughing matches. The judges were all practical men, so they could not go astray, and they had given satisfaction. . ' Mr Paul thanked the company for the enthusiastic manner in which the toast had been received, a sure sign, that they had given satisfaction. Nothing gave him more pleasure than attending ploughing matches. To-day they had judged impartially, and they had had a. good 'deal of difficulty iv arriving at a, correct result. The ploughing was very good, and if the palm had been borne away by a stranger, the district still retained second and third-honour*). He might state that the best pair of horses could not well' be beatun, for they were something, superior in every respect as a pair, and it would take the Province to beat them. Mr Cullen;. iv returning thanks, said that he was quite pleased to see so many happy faces. He was an old settler, and had been at a good many matches. There had been a nice turn out that day of both.men and horses, and having the champion'of Otago, associated with himself and Mr Walker, as judges, they could not well go astray. • To the toast of "The Successful Competitors,"from the Chair, Messrs Hamilton and Lindsay returned thanks. The last named remarked that he was well satisfied .with the judgment for he considered he had got justice. Mr Ferguson, as owner of the pair of mares specially referred to. also returned thanks.

At this stage of th() proceedings the Chairman handed the medal to Mr Hamilton, a.s winner of it on.two occasions. This episode caused a unanimous burst of applause, and Mr Hamilton stated that he would hold the modal as a lasting memento. .... A number of other toasts followed, including "The Unsuccessful Competitors," "Strangers," "Commercial Interests of Blue.skiu," "Donors," "Press," "Ladies," "Host and Hostess," and ' 'Chairman," all of which were duly responded to. Numerous songs were sung during the evening, and "Auld Lang Syne "■ appropriately'termi-, iiated the best ploughing1 match day we hay had here, the company dispersing1 a'little before 10 p.m. ... ' .. ••, . •