WAIKAIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1449, 30 August 1879, Page 17

WAIKAIA.

(FKOJI OUR OWN COBRIE3PONDBNT,)

On Friday, August 22nd, the first ploughing match held in this district took pkco. The weather was everything that could be desired, a sharp frost on iha previous night had dried the land, and the day was as bright as summer. Tho match was held in paddocks belonging to Messrs Henderson and 8,. Moffet. Considering the novelty of the thing there were not as many spectators as one would expect, but the work done was excellent. The pleasure of the day was marred by a serious acoident which befell Mr Alexander Gall. Mr Gall was going to secure some part of a plough or its harness for a friend, and riding hurriedly, his hprse put its foot into a hole in a culvert, throwing its rider violently to the ground. He alighted on his •boulder, and at first did not feel much hurt, but after a time it grew very painful, and when Dr Drury examined it he found the injury to be dislocation of the shoulder. After a tedious and very painful operation, it was replaced, and though it will be five or b\x weeks before Mr Gall regains the use of his arm, he is doing as well as possible. A dinner followed the match. The spread was excellent, aad reflected great credit on the provider, Mr Utting, of the Commercial Hotel. I am indebted to the courtesy of the secretary for the ploughing match, Mr T. Taylor, for the following list of prize-takers :— Double furrow ploughs — Ist Prize, £5 — W Longshaw ; 2nd, £3—o Pembleton; 3rd, £2— A. Davidson. Best break — W Longshaw. Best outs-and-ins— C Pembleton. Single-furrow ploughs — Ist Prize— J Halley. 2nd— J Moflit 3rd— M. Wilson. Best out-and-in— J Mofiit. Pesttbr«eboraea~P Hill,

Best two horses — C Eobinson. Best-looking ploughman— M Wilson. Bost-groomed team— J Moffit. Mr Mooney, of Tapanui, held a sale of township sections at Waikaia, on Saturday, August 23rd The prices realised varied greatly — No 1, £16 5s per section ; No. 2, £22 10s : No. 3, £11 lls; No. 4, £51. He also submitted to auction the farms belonging to Mr G. Moffit, and to Mr C. Robinson, respectively. The first was purchased by Mr G-. Dennis, at £6 per acre ; the second by Mr ' Dapp, at £5 7s 6d per acre. I have left myself very little space to speak of CaptainjMackenzie's address to the electors, which took place at the Crown Hotel, ou Saturday evening. Mr "W. J. Braithwaite was called to the chair. Captain Mackenzie, in introducing himself, explained that he was not a squatter, but really a " cockatoo." To give a brief resume of his speech wonld occupy too much space, but the following were a few of the subjects which appeared to interest his audience most. Captain Mackenzie said that in his opinion the dietrict had been greatly neglacced. That between the Pomahaka and the Nokomai lay some of the best agricultural land in New Zealand locked up and useless, and that, should he be returned as representative of Waikaia, he would do his utmost to have this tract of country thrown open. With regard to mining interests, he (Captain Mackenzie) though fully appreciating the value of miningjhad as yet but had small opportunities of studying the wants of ' such a community, but he would endeavour to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the wants and wishes of the miners, and to aid and further their interests in every way shoald he ' be elected. He said he had always been averse to bringing such a number of Mongolian* into the Colony, and should endeavour to check their immigration. He explained that if returned he would not pledge Ihimself to be a blind follower of any party leader, and that with regard to Sir George Grey, he wonld not be pinned to his coat tails. He also thought that the bodies for local self-government should be merged into one body, thereby doing away with the double taxation, and would be more economical to work. These are only a very few of the subjects on which the Captain touched, and he was listened to with the greatest interest. Several questions were asked and answered. At the conclusion, Mr H. N. Simson proposed a vote of confidence in Captain Mackenzie. Mr John Davies thought as there were other condidates in the field it would be premature to give a vote of confidence, and. as an amendment would move a vote of thanks j however, the original motion was carried. The meeting was the largest we have had here for some time. The other candidates spoken of are Mr G. Ireland, Mr Bennett, and Mr Johnson. With the exception of Mr Ireland, they are strangers to the electors of Waikaia.