WAIKOUAITI PLOUGHING MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1442, 12 July 1879, Page 5

WAIKOUAITI PLOUGHING MATCH.

The following letter, to the Editor of the Palmerston Times, appears iv the last number of that journal to hand :—": — " Sir,— ln your report of the Waikouaiti Ploughiug Match, it is staled that the ploughman who was awarded the second prize in the doublefarrows expressed hi 3 discoutsnt at the preference given over him to the first prize takers, on the ground that the litter ploughed with an implement manufactured by Eeid and Gray aud kept for the purpose of competing at annual ploughing matches, which statement, no doubt, called forth your own strictures in reference to the patter, and it shows the propi iety of receiving such statements with a giain of salt. As being tho first prize-taker on the occasion refeired to, 1 deny that Reid and Gray had anything to do with me or my plough beyond an introduction to their local agent, who, it was thought, could direct me where to get horses ; or that it is speciilly kept for the purpose of competing at annual ploughing matches. The fact is, being rather unwell for Borne time, aud talcing a holiday, and being pretty successful in my own distiict with my plough, which belongs to myself, and is in it 3 third year at general work, I thought I would like to try niy hand in other districts and in different soils, in the hope to learn something th<tt might be of value to me, never anticipating that anyone would take umbrago at mo for so doing. Had I thought otherwise 1 wouldhave certainly avoided intrudipg myself unless where made welcome. The idea, of Reid and Gray keepiug a special plough for competiug at annual ploughing matches is so ridiculous as to require no comment. Their double-furrow ploughs being first, second, and third both at Waikouaiti and Shag Valley this year, proves such a course en their part unnecessary. Parties taking an interest iv ploughing matches all over New Zealand will, I believe, observe and admit the high position their ploughs inva hbly occupy at all matches. Trusting this explanation will be satisfactory to jO'ir local ploughmen geneially, whom I tb nk for their courtesy to myself, who was a complete Etr.nger to them. — Yours, &c., John Allen." The Editor in a foot note to the letter says that the information was given to the reporter as stated a-.d on what he cousid.ai.-ed reliable authority.