TAIERI DERBY PLOUGHING MATCH.

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

TAIERI DERBY PLOUGHING MATCH.

Committee of Management-:—Messrs Geo. Pram, J. Robertson, J. Brown, Samuel Youug, J. Forrest, J. Aitken, J. Cullen. Judges : Messrs Wm. Paul (Palme? ston), Walter Park (Blueskin), and James Duthie (Tokomairiro). Hon. Treasurer, Mr Jas. Cullen; Hon. Secretary, Mr Jas. A. Callander. • , The annual Taieri Derby Ploughing Match, took place on the 2nd inst, on Mrs Steveneon's farm, Wingatur, East Trtieri.. The morning, as on several days previously, wore a threatening aspect, an-l some slight showers fell, but the sky gradually cleared and the afternoon proved fine, Old Sol. occasionally patronising the hardy tillers of the soil by i his welcome beams. The Maungatua ranges were capped with snow. The, ploughs were started at 9.40 a ra., and continued working steadily till shortly after 4 o'clock. . ■■ '

As usual, many of the horses were tastefully decorated with ribbons of the gayest colours. Considering the very inclement weather that we have had recently, there was a good attendance, about 200 persons being present during the afternoon. The fair sex were not s6 well represented as on the occasion of the North Taieri Derby; Ploughing Match. However, according to an old.Taici friend of ours, the day was really splendid for ploughing, and could scarcely have been better. The proprietors of the f.trm being advocates of the Good Templars' principles, the booth containing alcoholic beverages was erecfed on the Corporation ground adjoining, and presided over % Mr Webb, of the foamier-, cial Hotel, Mosgiel. Mrs Stevenson kiudly. supplied refreshments to the. co-.Bpetitotss, the hot coffee especially being much appreciated. The paucity of the entries, which numbered only twenty, may be satisfactorily accounted for by the recent rainy-season. The number of entries last year was 28 ;in 1873, 47 ; and in 1872, 4G. The rich, loamy soil, scarcely showing a part'ele of clay, had only been laid down in grass for about three years, aud was consequently not very firm. The various competitors appeared ty strain every nerve to secure accuracy in ploughing the furrows, and thereby gain first honours. 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 East Taieri, who secured the fiist prize 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, Dunediu, 1875. Derby Ploughing Match. Woii.by—" There were only two entries in class B, against seventeen last year, and James Broddie secured the prize. In Clasa C, Robert Millar lodged a protest on account of alleged 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 Sineliie was awarded first honours in Class D. Mr Joseph Mackay's prize (a book valued at 10s Cd) for the youngest ploughman in the field fell- to AlexnmU r Millar. The valuable hat presented bjr Mr J. Muir(Aimao and Co.), Duncdin, 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 pre cont'.'d last year, so that the winner could not wear liis trophy. A magnificent pair of maies belonging to Mr

Muir, of North Taierij were much admired.' About 5 30 p m. a numerous crowd assembled near the booth to ascertain the awards of the Judges, tho announcement of whose decisions was.■•V'-ry favourably ; received. Excellent order prevailed throughout the day. \Ve have to thank Mrs Stevmson and the Committee for their courtesy. Subjoined is the prize list:— Clahs A.—Open to all comers. Five entries. Owners. Ploughmen. Houghs. Thomas Christie Self Ponton. . Junes Cullun W. Cullen do ■Fumes Oullen Adam Hamilton Fowl r. Alex. Campbell Self Ponton. J. &A. Robertson John Edwards do. First prize, £C, John Edwards; second prize, £!>, Thomas Christie; commended, W. Cullen. Class ii. —First, second, and third prize-takers , excluded Two cuti ies. Owners. Ploughmen. Ploughs. Hobert.Unir ' James Broddic I'or.lon John Sutherland Divid>utherlaud do First prize, £6, James Broddic. Class C—Juniors, under 20 years of »£&. Three entries. Owners. Ploughmen. Ploughs. Robert Millar Alex. Millar Ponton | Robert T.idd John Chirnside do P. S. Cullen John Richards do First prize, £5, Jehu Chirnside; secfind prize, £1, Alex. M-llar. ■ . Class D.—Double furrow p'oughs. Ten entries. i Owners. Ploughmen, '.i Ploughs. | ffra. M'Ewan Self Beid and Gray James Cullen James Cullen. Jack (Maybole) llrs John Gow Thos Elliott Keid and Gray Youns & Smellie Robert Smellie . do Jinnes Aitken James Farqtiharson do Wm. Stevenson Self do ./ & A. Robertson Win. Cooper do L. Adams Mii .-elf do

ndrew Tocld Samuel JlTajTßfirt Jack W. A. Todd .Mm Winchester do

First jirize, £0. Robert Smellio; second, £5, Thos. Elliott; third, a, Win. Cooper; fourth, £3, P. Adamson. , ~ . - - ,