Otaria Ploughing Match.

Otago Witness, Issue 1652, 21 July 1883, Page 14

Otaria Ploughing Match.

(FEOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

July 13. The third annual Otariaand Pukerau ploughing match took place on Friday last in a lea paddock belonging to Mr Lambert. The ground was not of the best description for first-class work, being too free and too easily broken, but it was the land to prove who were the genuine ploughmen. The work done was superior to that at any of the previous matches. Plough men were present from Warepa, Glenkenich, Hampden, and Otaria. It was expected in the fore part of the day that there was nothing present could touch the Hampden plough manufactured by Mr John Douglas ; but aa time wore on it was evident that Mr David Sheddan, from Warepa, was not to be denied the honours of the day, although hard pressed by T, Pattison, who exhibited excellent work, both ploughs being by Reid and Gray. In the swing-ploughs some grand work was done, especially by J. Cunningham, who held hard for first honours in his class.

There was only one entry in the Junior Class, and it was the universal opinion of those present that had he competed in the Senior Class he would have been well forward in the prize-list, as he displayed good workmanship As it wan, however, being the only competitoi in his class, he fell heir to all the prizes that were awarded in that class, and he deserved them.

The double-furrows carried off the medal for the champion lot on the field, Mr D. Sheddan having won the coveted prize. He has ploughed at several matches this season, and has on all occasions been either first or second.

The judges were Mr Alexander Bannatyne (Waikouaiti), Mr James Knox (Stirling), and Mr John Dickson (Wainiea). Their decisions gave general satisfaction to all parties. As a rule, a judge's position is anything but a pleasant one at a plough ing match, as a competitor generally has his admirers, who appear to think there is nothing to touch him. On the present occasion, not even a murmur was Heard against the judges' verdict.

The following were the Committee appointed to act at the match : — Messrs J. Elliott (chairman), W. H. Purviss, William Bowman, J. W. Bennett, D. 0. M'Kenzie, and D. A. Purviss (hon. sec. and treasurer). Entries. class a. — double-furrows (seniors). Ploughm m. Owner. Maker. David Shedtlan Self Reid and Gray Wi Ham Bowman II Craig Douglass James Harvey Sell Fowler David Uordou R Pattison Roid and Gray A Gordon Self Gardiner T. Pattißon A. Quertier Keid aud Gray James Haugh Self do. CLASS B.— SWING PLOUGHS (SENIORS). J. J. Cunningham Self Ponton H. Couperthwaite Solf do R Boag Self do Wm Haugh J. Ulliott do J. Johnston Self do. CLASS C— DOUBLS-FURROWS (JUNIORS). David Young, juu. D. Young, sen. Fowler. Prize List. class a.— double-fdrrows (seniors*. First prizo, £s— David Sheddan. Second prize, £4— Thomas Pattison. Third prize, £2 — William Bowman. Fourth prize, £I— James Harvey. CLASS B. SWING PIiOIfIHIS. First prize, £5 J. J. Cunningham. Second priza, £4— William Haugh. Third prize, £2 Robert. Boag. Fourth prize, ill— Joh'i Johnston. CLASS C— DOUBLB-FUR.ROWS (.TUNIORS). First prize, £3- David Young. CHAMPIOS LOT. Silver medal— Dav-.d rtheddan. SPECIAL PRIZES. Class A. Beit finish, box t-a (girt if Balneaves, M'Kechnle, and Co., Mataura) — David Mieddan. best feeriug, jOO piuus insignis (gift of Robert Berritl, Invercurgill)-D. hhe dan Best outs-aud-uis, one pair winkers (gift of Mr Bigwood, Mataura)— J. Harvey. Best matched team, a whip (gift of Mr D. Young, Waipahee)— J. H*rvey. Mau with largest family, one dozen cups and saucers (gift of^F. M. Dawson, Pukerau)- William Bowman. Class B.— Swing Ploughs. Best finish, 100 pinus insignis (gift of Robert Cleaves. i Invercargill) — William Haugh. Beat leering, 100 Norway spruce (gift of Robert Cleaves)— William Haugh. Best outs-and-ina, a kitchen crane (gift of Messrs Hood and Purvis, Pukerau) -Robert Boag. Best team of hordes, a lamp (gift of Park and Winning, Mataui a)- R Boag. Man with largest family, » cake (gift of Mr Redpath Clinton)— Robert Coupe) thwaire. ' Man with largebt family of daughters, a dress-piece (»ifc of Heiberr, Ilaynes, and Co., Duuedin) acd a tin of lollies (gift of MrG. Gazzard, Pukerau)— Robert Couperthwaite. Class 0.- Junior. Best ploughed Xt, one pair of pictures (gift of North and Si oullar, Dunedin.)— David Young. Best finish, assorted toilet box (gift of Mr Barley che i Ut Clinton) -D. Young. ° Best fee ing one pair tweed trousers (gift of Mr Calder, Gore)— D. Young. Bast outs-aud-ins, one book (gift of Mr J. Horsburgh, bookseller, Dunedin)— D. Young. Youngest ploughman, gent.'s tie (gift of Miss ) — D. Young. '

IN ALL CLABSI'S. Best looking bachei r. a k uj,iu pendant (gift of a lady. Dunerii' )-Thainas t'auisoii iioHt-kept harnw i» daily ua<> for three months, a hunting crop (gift of Mr A. M'K.enzie, Pukorau)— A. Ccst -groomed horses, prize to the value of £1 (gift of N.Z. Hardware Co.)— a. Gordon. . Oldest ploughman, a cruer-s Mta (gift of outline and i arnach)—R. Couperth' aite. The dinner took place in the evening in Mr Lambert's barn. Mr F. S. Canning took the ctiair, and Mr James Elliott acted as croupier. After justice had been done to the good thmgfl provided by Host Lambert in his best style, the following toasts were proposed and duly responded to : — "The Queen and Royal Family," by the Chair. , "The Governor and Parliament, Chair, responded to by Mr Dolamore. " Otaria and Pukerau Ploughing Society," Chair, responded to by Mr Elliott. " The Agricultural Interests," proposed by Mr Gt. Beattie, responded to by Mr Stewart. " Commercial Interests," by the Vice, responded to by Mr Beattie. "Successful Competitors," by the Chair, responded to by Mr Sheddan (champion). " The Judges," the Vice, responded to by Messrs Knox and Dickson.

" The Committee," by Mr Knox, responded to by Mr D. A. Purvis (secretary). "The Ladies," by Mr D. A. Purvis, responded to by Mr O. Young. " The Press," by the Chair, responded to by Mr Dolamore. After a few more toasts had been proposed and responded to, the meeting was brought to a close by the company singing " Auld Lang Syne," having spent a few pleasant hours indeed.