WAIKIWI PLOUGHING MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 1449, 30 August 1879, Page 4

WAIKIWI PLOUGHING MATCH.

President, Mr G. F. Martin ; vice-president, Mr J. W. Hamilton ; seoretary, Mr A. White ; committee — Messrs Cummin?, Crosbie, Murohie, Reidie, McKercher, Wilson, Thomson, Mitchell, Halliday, Paterßon, Hannah, Hamilton, Milne, and Waddell. The Annual Ploughing Match, under the auspices of the Southland Champion Ploughing Association, took plaoe on the 22nd insfc. , in a lea paddock at Waikiwi, belonging to Mr H. Horman, senior. The attendance was very large, about 1500 spectators being present during the day. A large number hailed from the Western District, which, beside* contributing Euch a goodly number, also sent several competitors to the scene of strife. Winton also contributed its quota of lookers-on, and competitors, while from the town of Invercargill large numbers poured in by special and ordinary trains. No doubt this large concourse was in a groat measure due to the glorious weather that prevailed, and the facilities afforded by the General Manager of Railways, Mr Arthur, for reaching the spot. A large number of ploughs entered in both classes. The following is the list .— Swing Ploughs. Ploughman. Owner. Maker. J Wilson T Wilson Ponton W Hamilton W Hamilton Ponton T Hannah Wm Hannah Reid & Gray Jas Lindsay John Lindsay Ponton A M'Lean A M'Lean Ponton W M'llwrick W M'llwrick Ponton Double-Furrow Ploughs. Ploughman. Owner. Maker. Holloway Holloway Reid & Gray W Taylor W Taylor Eeid & Gray John Irvine John Irvine Anderson & Findlay Jaß Deacon J W Hamilton Anderson & Findlay Thos Stroud T Sutton Reid & Gray J M'lntyre J M'lntyre Reid & Gray W X Hazlett W X Hazlett Jack & Sons H Horman jnr H Horman sen Jack & Sons D Younger Younger Bros Eeid & Gray A Jones J R Turnbull Wilson F Calvert F Calvert Reid & Gray J M'Kercher M'Kercher Bros Reid & Gray J A Mitchell J A Mitchell Reid & Gray J Grieve R Grieve Anderßon & Findlay A Barclay A Barclay Reid & Gray W Halliday W Halliday Reid & Gray W Lindsay J Lindsay Reid & Gray A Hamilton Brown & Walker Murray R Taylor R Taylor Reid & Gray R Blackie R Blaokie . Jack & Sons D Thomson Thomson & Sons Wilson R Paterson R Paterson Lennan John Brown Brown & Walker Reid & Gray Some of the ploughing was remarkably good though a very general opinion was expressed that better all-round ploughing has been before seen in the district. Possibly the nature of the ground had something to do with this. To refer to the ploughing. That done by the swing ploughs was fully up to the average, and was so nearly equalised as to cause the judges some trouble in deciding as to the respective merits of the competitors. After a careful examination of all the points, however, they awarded first honorß to Thomas Hannah, and there are few who will dispute that hii work was of such a nature as fully to justify tha decision of the judges. An allotment, ploughed by M'llwriek, who was champion, we believe, last year, landed the second ,'prize, and James Lindsay succeeded in carrying off the third. The ploughing in the double furrow class, however, was far more varied, some of the riggs being very good, and some inferior. The first prize fell to J. M'Kercher, whose ploughing was taken altogether, very fair, though the sloppiness of the ground prevented the ploughman making such a neat appearance as otherwise he would have done. Mitchell, the second prizetaker, made a very good start. His furrows were slightly pared. The third prize was taken by Calvert, who made a bad start, but improved wonderfully before the finish. His furrow was an exceedingly Btrong one, and straight, and his land equally ploughed, though plain. Halliday, of whom great things were expected, failed to reach hi» former standard, or else found his opponents far better than he anticipated. He made a good start, and turned out some very fair work, his seed-furrow being most noticeable. The fifth prize was taken by M'lntyre, who had a good rigg,made a bad start, improved slowly, and ultimately succeeded in making a capital finish. Stroud carried off the palm for' straight ploughing, though, like a num. her of others, his work was very plain. Horman made first rate outs and ins, and received a special prize. Some of the furrows were rather heavy, while others ware a little pared. Some of the competitors, too, showed far more graas than is admissible in good ploughing. One or two of the taamß upon the ground were highclass. Messrs Thomson and Soas, of Winton, had a neatly-matched pair of sturdy nuggets, which caught the eye of the judges, and received a special prize. The conduct of the match throughout was excellent, and reflected great credit on the field stewards — Messrs J. W. Hamilton, Cumming, M'Kercher, Hannah, and White. The latter gentleman also acted as secretary, and deserves an especial word of commendation for the excellent manner in which he carried out the arduous duties attendant upon his office, Muoh of the success of the match was attributable to his untiring exertions. Mr A. J. Devereux, of the Winton Hotel, had a booth on the ground, and did a roaring trade throughout the day. The judges were — For ploughing : Messrs J B Sutton (Garryowen), Martin (Wallacetown), A Drysdale (Longbush), A Fleming (Rakahouka). For special prizes : Messrs James Tay- , lor (Waikiwi), Andrew Wilson (Ryal Bush), and George Sampson (Winton). Appended is the prize list : — DOUBLE-FDRROW PLOUGHS. Ist prize, £10, with silver medal, value £3 3s (presented by president) ; 2nd do, £7, and meerschaum pipe (given by L Rodgers) ; 3rd do, £5, and Burns' Poems (given by E H WhkV more) ; 4th do, £3 ; sth do (if more than 15 entries), £I.— J M'Keroher, 1 ; John A Mitchell, 2; F Calvert, 3j W Halliday, 4; J M'lntyro, 5. SINGLE-FURKOW PLOUGHS. Ist prize, £8, with silver medal, value £S 3s (presented by P X M'Caughan, Eeq) ; 2nd do, £6, and tin of lollies (presented by Mr Gallacher); 3rd do, £4, and set of cups and saucers ■ (presented by De Beer ftnd Co) j 4th do, £2.—

T Hannah, 1 j W M'llwriok, 2 ; Jas Lindsay, 3 5 W Hamilton, 4. Special Prizes. For best ploughing in double-furrow class — One set 3-leafed harrows, presented by Reid and Gray. J M'Kercher. For do, in single-furrow class — American churn, presented by G uthrie and Larnach. T Hannah. For best break, with double-furrow plough— 1 sec feering poles, presented by R James, Winton ; silver albert chain, presented by C Freeman. D Thomson. For best finish, with double furrow plough — 2 owt fencing wire, presented by J Stock and Co. T Hannah. Best set of harness — 1 cart bridle, presented by G Goodwillie. D Thomson. Tidiest ploughman on the field — Pair of hair brushes and combs, presented by Mrs Bailey. John A Mitchell. Best turn-out— Riding bridle, presented by D Powell and Co. D Thomson. For best work of any class on the field — 12 pair socks, presented by R D Yule and Co. T Hannah. Last man off the field— Stable lantern, presented by Trew and Hall. A Hamilton. First man off the field — Bag Prussian grey oatß, presented by Jno Shand. H Horman. By Mr Robert Cupples, 1 guinea for the straightest ploughing in double-furrow class. Thos Stroud. For Vest break, with single-furrow plough — 1 set feering poles, presented by R James, Winton : 1 box tea, presented by Matheson and Co. J Wilson. For straightesfc ploughing, in double-furrow class— l box candles, presented by J Hare. T Stroud. For best outsand-ins, with double-furrow plough— loo forest trees, presented by J Cooper and Co. H Horman. For straightest ploughing, with single-furrow plough — Butter cooler, presented by G Lumsden. J Lindsay. For best outs-and-ins, with single furrow plough — Pair watertight boots, presented by R Sloan and Sons. W Hannah. Youngest ploughmen on the field — Writing desk, presented by X Rose. J Grieve. Best-looking ploughmen on the field—Handsome wedding bonnet, presented by Price and Bulleid. J Grieve. Oldest ploughman on the field — Sleeved waistcoat and Kilmarnock bonnet, presented by Thomson and Beattie. J Irvine. Ploughman with largest family — Carcase of mutton, presented by Organ and Co. ; 1 dozen smoked fish, presented by L Marisco; boys' suit, presented by N.Z. Clothing Co. R. Taylor. First man off the field with a prise — Lever olook, presented by Jacobs and Moir. T Stroud. Best groomed horses— Tweed coat, presented Lewis and Reid. D Thomson. Best kept harness in daily use — Box of Windsor soap, presented by JI) Hayes. John Lindsay. Best pair of horses on the field — Aneroid barometer, presented by Messrs M'Ardell and Co. D Thomson. Best finish in double- fur rows— Hand broad, oast seed-sower, presented by Mesßrs Cowper and Wilson. Thomas Stroud.

The annual dinner was held in the Criterion Hotel in the evening, when about 40 gentlemen sat down to a capital repast provided by host Galbraith.— Southland Times.