SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIP PLOUGHING MATCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2058, 3 August 1893, Page 5

SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIP PLOUGHING MATCH.

We take the following remarks on this match from Thursday's Southland Times -—The scene of opsrations was Mr Horman's farm, Wallacetown junction, and the paddock selected for the trials was admirably suited for that purpose, the ground standing the out very well indeed. This season the match was held rather earlier than in former y oars,, and that may account in some measure for. the entries not being quite so numerous as usual. The Waimea Plains match is not yet off, and this also probably lessened the entries ; for it is well known that when ploughmen are dissatisfied with the awards hi particular districts they generally make an effort to try conclusions at the champion match, which undoubtedly is the most important of the kind in the colony. Thirteen competitors, including craok ploughmen from many different centres, met in the champion double-furrow class, and it is worth mentioning that the first and second prize-takers at ,the recent Derby ploughing match at the Taieri— W. O. Ladbrook and George Bruce, were included in the number. Bruce, Jwho was second at the Derby match, has come rapidly to the front of late. It may also be mentioned that the Ladbrooks, father and son, were the oldest and youngest competitors in Class A. Last year's champion, William Allison, of Mataura, was among the lot, and H. King, whose latest victory was at the Wyndham contest, also competed. He was champion in 1890. John Hamilton and R. Patterson, who occupied pride of place in 1886 and 1892 respectively, again assayed for similar distinctions. At the meeting of the < association held to make arrangements for this match it was resolved to introduce a change in the judging by appointing only one judge, and he from a distance. This was in order to leave no reason for complaint that any of the ploughmen were unduly favoured by judges with whom they were acquainted. - The gentleman selected for the onerous duties on this occasion was Mr M'Conochie, manager for Mr Gow at Taieri. For several year 3he has with satisfaction— as far as that is possible— to competitors adjudicated at the Taieri Derby matches, and as he is a thorough practical ploughman himself the association' is to be commended for their selection.- A start was intended to be made by 9 o'clock; but it was nearly 10 before the breaks were commenced. There were only, three entries in the class for ploughmen who had never won a first prize., ! This' was hardly what might have been expected in view of very liberal prizes having been allotted in that section for the purpose "of encouraging young ploughmen to come forward; ' There'was a like number of entries ■in the "awing- plough class. John M'lntoshj of Wallacetown, a veteran with' the single furrow, was the oldest ploughman on the 1 ground.' ' The 'other" competitors in this section were D. M'Callum and P: M'Dermid of Waianiwa. Digger ploughs found a solitary representative in that worked by E:,Bjrwan, and it broke up the' ground in first-class* Btyle. Booth and M 'Donald's digger plough and spading harrows were not on the ground, owing to their expert having serious illness in his family. Messrs Reid and Gray had' on view one of their latest improved grain and manure drills. \ The speoial feature claimed for this 'drill is that no matter what kind of manure is to be sown the sowing attachment will 'thoroughly and evenly distribute it without any risk of. choking. , 'Many farmers present evinced great interest, in -looking over the machine,, and from what we could learn, it is just the contrivance required for 'the purpose. * ■ The same firm also showed their patent steel- shares for double-furrow ploughs, which are supplied either in. oast; steel or chilledmetal. One great " point " -about these points is that they are considered of great sendee for all varieties of soil, and the greatest "point" of all is "that they do save expense," which is a quotation from one of the many testimonials received . as to their efficiency. Two of the game firm's new, double-furrow plonghß were worked hi Class/A.- One, handled by J. King, is fitted with their patent furrow -.width suggested The Massey-Harris cultivator, an implement new to this district, and forwhioh the J. G. Ward Association .are agents, was at work in a paddock [adjoining. This is a very useful machine for cultivating any sort of ground, and is suitable for bringing up remains of turnips , which have been eaten off by sheep. By fixing a grass seed box after harvest stubble ground may be sown. It has found great favour with farmers up north, and doubtless will do so here when its merits have become widely known. The draught is very light, and it can be made to go as deep as a plough.' . •• • t Mr J. H. O. Hunter, of Gore, the Southland agent' for Messrs John Anderson and Co. (Ghristchuroh) had a 6-horse power Aveling and Porter traction 1 engine at work in the adjoining paddock. The engine was fitted with Mr G. Bowmarfs drain plough attachment, the patent rights of whioh have been secured by Messrs J. Anderson and Co. The principal improvement is in the differential-gear which is disconnected, whilst drain ploughing, from the bevel wheel attached . to the large driving or road wheel. The strain, and wear is taken off all cog-wheels, bearings, and pinions of the differential gear, and double power is given the engine to. draw the plough. The increased power was practically demonstrated to those present. The; other device is gowmar'a patent back-winding gear— a drum upon which' a light steel rope is coiled, the drum being attached to the front of {he engine. Mr M'Crostie's drain plough was also on the ground and attracted considerable attention. Two competitors in each of Classes B and C were disqualified for not finishing within the allotted time. The champion prize fell to D. M'Farlane, of Edendale, W. Clark, of Ryal Bush, second, and H. Smith, of Fortrose, third. MfFarlane's was the best style of furrow throughout, and the best closed, though he had not as good a break as some of the other competitors. Taking his rig through and through it was equal to any. Clarke's was not quite so well turned, while H. Smith's work was faced rather much. John King, who hails from Dunedin, was fourth, and another stranger, G. Bruce, of Taieri, was fifth j lait_ year's ohampanion, W. Allison, only managing to secure sixth place. King's and Brace's work showed a rounder furrow than the others, and Allison's did nob" read" very well. Taking the work altogether it was in the opinion of .experts of a first-class description. The first' prizetaker in class B would, if entered for the champion match, have been placed by the judge. Jfone of the three swing ploughs turned out work equal to that done by the prize-takers in Class A, Appended is the list of champions since 1881 ;- 1881—W. M'lntyre, single-furrow 1882— W. M'lntyre, -„ do 1883— T. Hannah, do 1884— R. Smith, double.furrow 1835— T. Hannah, single-furrow 1886— John Hamilton, double-furrow 1887-C King, do 1888-A. Gait (tertiut) do 1889— T. Docherty, do 1890-H. King, do 1891— R. Patterson, do 1892-W. Allison, do 1893-D, M'Farlane, do

The prize list is as follows :— Class A.-OHAMPION Double VwfW.-ftaa* : First, £1 10s ; second, £5 ; third, £i ; fourth, £3; fifth, £2; sixth, bale of binding twine, gift of Southland Twine Company. 1-StfSSU D.fene BeiSfcray £2'SS 2'ffl" |e[»a-y 4-JohnKing B. King 5 e^ a !$K 6-G. Bruce J. Brass - Reid and Gray 6_\\r. Allison B. Allison « a F dine s « R. Patterson Self seMfe5 e Mfe John Milne Self Reid and Gray WrG.Lad- W.O.Lad- Gardiner • i „ brook brook J.RHamil. J. W.Hamil- Anderson^ W. G. Lad- Self Gardiner H. King 100 Self ' Gardiner Best break, H. King.-Best finish, John King.Straightest ploughing, Walter Clark.-Best ins and outs, John W. Hamilton.-Oldest pleughman, W. 0. Ladbrook.— Youngest ploughman, W. G. Ladbrook.— Ploughman with largest family, W. 0. Ladbrook. Class B.— Double Furrow. — For-ploughmen who have never taken a first prize. Prizes : First, £5 ; second, £3. Ploughman. Owner. Maker. I_W. A. Gray Alex. Gray Reid and Gray R. Finlayson Self Anderson and Findlay Alex. Fraser George Brown Andersoaand Findlay Best break, W. A. Gray.— Best finish, W. A. I Gray.— Straightest ploughing, W. A. Gray.— Best ! ins and outs, K. Finlayson.— Oldest ploughman, K. Finlayson. -'-Youngest ploughman, W. A. Gray. Cuss o.— Sinqlb Furrow.— Prizes : First, £s', second, £4. I Ploughman. Owner. Maker. I— Daniel M'Cal- Self Anderson and lum Findlay 2— John M'ln- Self Ponton tosh Peter M'Der- Self Ponton mid Best break, D. M'Callum.-Best finish, D. M'Callum.— Straightest ploughing, D. M'Callum. —Best ins and outs, D. M'Callum.— Best twohorse team, J. M'lntosh. — Beat groomed team of two, J. M'lntosh.— Oldest ploughman, J. M'lntosh.—Youngest ploughman, r. M'Dermid.— Ploughman with largest family, J. M Intosh. Class D.— Digger Ploughs.— Prize, £3. Ploughman. Owner. Maker. IHE. Kirwan Tothill, Wat- Howard son and Co.