ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 29, 21 July 1875, Page 2

ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.

The annual ploughing match, under the auspices of the Patea, Hawera, and Wairoa Agricultural Association, was held on Friday last on the ground of Mr Hansen’s, near Waiioa. We cannot congratulate the committee on the site selected, as it was most unfavourable for the match, roots and fern seriously impeding the course of the different ploughs. The soil was also of a brittle character, and this added to the roughness of the ground, seriously militated against the quality of the work submitted to the judges’ verdict, and was altogether unsuitable for a fair trial of workmanship between the different com* pouters. There was a good, attendance of visitors, including a number of ladies well mounted, whoso presence considerably assisted in lending a elmerliil aspect to the wonted dullness of a ploughing held. It is to be regretted that a second-class had not been at ranged, as it must be apparent to many that the less unskilled would have stood no chance against persons who have repeatedly carried oil prizes, and the

absence of a prize for second-ra!e phmghmen hail the olivet of limiting- the cranp,--tirion, ami cursing a certain amount of dissatisfaction amongst those desirous of trying- conclusions against others. Many were of opinion that the wheel and swing ph u flis should have been separated, but as tire competitors had the choice ol using either, avc do not attach much importance to this complaint, lint perhaps on a future occasion it wovld be wise to provide separate prizes for each plough. Wo were surprised to lind Patea and Ilawora districts unrepresented in the lidd, as M a last year ban materially assisted in eon.,ibnting to the success of tiie match held at Kakaramoa. Although a iberal sum was advertised for bona fide Maori ploughing matches, strange to remark, it had not the effect of attracting a single competitor. The amount of money collected throughout the district was very liberal, amounting to something over £52, which enabled the committee to award liberal prizes. There is not the slightest doubt bad the p;omotors been in a position to fmm a correct approximation of the money hkoly to be available for prizes, and published the same in their programme, a larger field would have bom the result, hut the committee are in no way responsible for this omission, as the i-übs.-ription list had on’y been completed the day previous. Notwithstanding the many disadvantages the committee laboured under, the match passed off very successful, and the pro--motors are deserving of the highest credit for the success whirl) has attended their second match. The Secretary (Mr Taplin) deserves a word of praise for the efficient manner in which be carried out the details in connection with the match. The judges were Messrs A. Johnston, J. Mat’boson, and Napio - , wiiosc awards appeared o give general satisfaction. Each competitor was allowed one-eighth of an acre to plough, and each section was staked, numbering’ from Ito 8. We shall attempt to give a brief description of Hie work performed. No. I—James1 —James Wilson (Grey, maker.) The feering was slightly crowded, and tho line had a tendency to be shaky. lira ploughing- was rather too high on edge, which was caused by the plough evidently not working well. Mr Wilson is quite capable of performing better work, and bad bo been in possession of a superior implement, bis work would have nnquestionab'y secured the prize. We heard many express an opinion that his finish deserved being ranked first, but we don't feel ourselves competent or willing to differ with the judges’ award. No. 2 —lsaac Lupton (Koctlcy, Cantor' bury.) The feering in this instance was a little open, the line improving as the plough proceeded. The work was very' solid, which deservedly demanded the first prize. The same man and plough secured first prize last year at Kakaramoa. No. B—J.8 —J. Dickie, sen. (Gray). Tho foering was a little crowded, but (ho liu.s was straight. The work was fairly solid. The judges had some difficulty in deciding between DickieVand Wilson’s best finish, and ultimately gav ■ their award in favour of the former.

No. 4—J. Dickie, jnn. (Grny). Tlio feering was rather high, line shaky, and w°”k unequal. N>■ s—Webbys—Webby (Gray). Tiio fee ring of the lir.jt and second furrows was altogether 100 flat. His line was rather shaky. The work was fairly cut, but not well packed. No. 6—A. Aiken (Gray). T! le feering was rather too high. The lino was no means good, ami the work very unequal. No. 7 —Bright (Gray). The feering was very crowded, but the lino was fair. The work was rather lon much on edge, not hein# sufficiently tinned over. No. S—Flemming (Gray). The feering was rather high and unequal, the, ploughing tondhig in the same direction. This ploughing would ho very useful for cropping purposes, but would not boar comparison with any of the other work. The ploughman in tin’s instance used a skuth instead of a coder, which had the effect of covering the rubbish. Mr Hansen, on whose holding tier ploughing took place, cleared the ground as a donation towards the match.

TI ic following are the judges’ awards. Bust Ploughing, First prize—lsaac Lnpton, set harrows (value £6 Gs) and £6. Second prize, J. Dickie, sen., £B. Third prize, J. Wilson, £5. Fourth prize, J. Dickie, jnn., £3. Fifth prize, A. Aiken. £2. Bust Fee king. Prize, £1 Is, James Wilson. Best Finish. Prize, £1 Is, J. Dickie, sen. Best Plough Team* First prize, £1 Is, Isaac Lnpton. Second prize. 10s 61, James Wilson. Best Harness. Prize, £1 Is, James Wilson. Best-groomed Horses. Prize, ,£I Is, Isaac Lnpton. THE BANQUET was held in the Wairoa Town Hal], ai cl about 30 gentlemen,sat down to a spread * furnished by host Mc‘Lean, of the Waverly Hotel, which was served up in excellent style. The whole of the committee were present, ns also the ploughmen, both successful and unsuccessful. Mr T). Contts occupied the chair, and Mr G. W. Ganc the vice-chair. After full! justice having been done to the solids and fluids, The Chairman proposed—“ The Queen and Loyal Family.” Mr Hirst remarked that lie had been quite taken by surprise in being requested to propose the most import ant to'G of the evening, which he fell confident all present would heartily respond to. die was : naturally timid, bashful, and labouring under these impediments, it was impossible for him to speak to any subject with justice. Some 17 years ago, through impeenniosity, he cut farming and turned agent; the latter avss not quite so honest,

but moke lucrative. fie lin.l read Vog'-I s jxj’icy and Sir Donald Aicdman s, and wits alXrespect Tor those g. ath-omn, he coiiln draw no distinction !>ci wacn .the two. H a great delight b»r tin- sea, which in preferred next to fanning, and when le beheld the furrows so neatly turned over that day, he felt a little melancholy, and wished lie had his time over again. lie concluded by proposing “Success to the PI on gh in g, M ate hj Co inini 11 e. ” Mr Moktun, on being called upon to respond, prefaced his remarks by apologising fab being no speaker. The success o' - that miy’s match could not bo otherwise than satisfactory to those concerned, lie, however, regretted to see so few ploughs competing, but the work performed wa good, and better may be expected nexi B-ason. The amount of money collected this year would certainly assist in giving more confidence and ensuring greater success for future matches. (Hoar, hear.) Mr IL Williamson proposed —“Health of the Judges,” coupled with the name of Mr Johnston. The committee were indebted to these gentlemen for coming forward, and their decisions had given great satisfaction, although they _ experienced considerable difficulty in deciding on the respective merits of each competitors

work. Mr JOHNSTON responded, and said he had much pleasure in discharging the duties entrusted to him. His fellow judges and himself had endeavoured to give satisfaction to the best of their ability. He bad no doubt the successful Competitors would say that, they were first-rate judges (laughter), but pm haps the non-successful competitors would not hold them in as high estimation. They had endeavoured to give fair due between man and man, anil con adoring the indifferent character of tho ground, the ploughing was as good as ever he saw in his life.

Mr Mattii eson, ns one of the judge’s, returned thanks for the compliment paid to him, and believed his < o league (Mr Johnston) hud said all that he desired o say in the matter. Mr A. Hunter proposed—“ The health of the successful competitors,” coupled with'the name of Mr Lupton. They had certainly don - their work well, considering the nature of the ground, and trusted Hie non-succo wful competitors would not give in. He hoped next year to find their names occupying a more prominent position on the prize list, and believed if the committee were to offer a prize for double furrow ploughing, it would assist in making these matches more attractive and successfu'. gong—“The British Lion,” Mr Hirst. Mr Li’PTon, in responding, stated (hat he believed evi rv ploughman had faithfully done his duty. He should, however, have preferred to have seen more ploughs competing, and also the presence of the double, furrow ploughs alluded to by M r Hunter, the adaptation of whkh would considerably assist in reducing the labour involved in ploughing. He w mid kav" the quality of his Work to the judges ami public to dc-eide. Soig—“ My Brothor-iu-law.” Mr Tapi in, which was enthusiastically m-mw/, that gentleman responding with " Bar the door.”

Mr G. W. Gaxk proposed the “ Health of (ho unsuccessful competitors.” coupled with- the name of Mr Webby, lie. truster! that they would not be down-hearted, and hoped on a future occasion to hud them competing, and carrying olf priz s. It did not follow because one man won to-day that he sbou’cl be successful, and bnp-d the defeat sustained on tins occasion would not cause the unsuccessful competitors to despond, but would be the means of infusing emulation amongst them. Mr Wkuuy responded. He said ho.was only a stranger in the district, having recently engaged himself to Messrs Morton and Lnpton, He had not held a plough in Ida hands for two years, but hoped on the next occasion to do better. Mr D. Tayi.or proposed “Success to the Commercial Interest of Wniroa,” coupled with the name of Mr Fookcs. ' Mr FooKKS did not expect this unknown honour, and hardly thought that the commercial interest of Wairoa was so conspicuous as to suggest itself for a place on the programme. However, it was gradually increasing, and hoped another year would find Wairoa with twelve stores, the commencement of a section of the railway and feeders. The agricultural and commercial interests always should go hand-in-hand. He had attended the match, but as ho had no great experience in ploughing would not venture to criticise the furrows, but there were two or three things wanting in the programme, which perhaps slightly operated' against ensuring greater competition. No prizes wore advertised in the programme for best plough team or best harness. Had It been known that it was the intention of the committee to award prizes for them, greater competition would certainly have been attracted. He was in a position to hear a great deal of gossip, and much dissatisfaction was expressed at allowing w'hecl and swing ploughs to compete together, as it certainly militated against many ploughmen coming forward. Some were of opinion that a second class should have been arranged, as it was unreason ible to expect secondrate ploughmen to compete against adepts. Had a second prize been provided it would certainly have been the means of turning over more ground, although he could not say whether any good would have resulted from it. He returned thanks on behalf of the commercial interest, which he intended to follow till ho had made his for time.

Sons - —“ Hearts of Oak,” Mr Hirst. Mr H. Wii.UAMsoN said the reason why prizes had not been advertised in the prowas in consequence of the committee not being able to anticipate the amount of money likely to be collected. Mr Ivess proposed—“ Success to the Pastoral and Agricultural Interests,” coupled with the name of Mr Wilson. As a junior member of the community, he felt flattered at bong asked to propose important toast. He had attended

the banquet more as a matter of duty or business, and did not desire to dwell at too great a length on the subject of Ins toast. The success of tho venture which he had late’y embarked in entirely bung on tho p-ogress and result of those two important pursuits. lie regretted to observe on every side large tracts of valuable and fertile country laying waste, owing to tiie perplexing native difficulties. He believed if more attention bad been paid by the Nat.V j Minister to this district a ideal of the iippanmt opposition against the s Ring of tire land would bo found to be easily surmounted, and the opening up of tie 1 laud hastened. As it is, the development and progress of the country is retarded. No part of the colony oiTorcd such attractions and faculty for settlement as did this district, and he believed if the treaty for the purchase of the land was loft to local administration, the soil would ho quickly utilised. There were many apparant wants to stimulate the progress of these two industries, chief amongst which were the establishment of a flour mid, a local steam service, and the introduction of labour, It was quite refreshing to liehold the improvements now going on from one end of the district to the other in the wav of: clearing and fencing land, which meant a sure sign of progress. Song—Mr Winehcoiphe.

Mr Wi LSoN returned thanks on behalf of tho agricultural and pastoral interest. All lie could say was if tho same amount of progress was made during the next few years as compared with the previous period, the district would prove second to none in tho colony. Ho had no doubt sooner or later tho Native difficulties would he overcome, and the land placed in the marked. Tho want of new blood had been much foil, as the old identities had no idea of progress. By this remark he m ant no olfelic • to this class, as ho himself was one of them. The advent or other gentlemen has certainly given an impetus to progress. (Hear, hear.) Mr Taplin proposed—“ The Press,” con;Jed with the name of Mr Ivess. dwelling upon the good and mischief a press is capable of exercising. Mr Iv’Kss responded. Mr (f. W. Hank, in a humourous speech, proposed tho health of “Tho Ladies,” which elicited a great deal of laughter, lie called upon Mr Patterson to respond. The toast was drank with musical honours—“ Here’s a health to all good lasses.”

Mr Patterson being inexperienced, preferred to say nothing. (Laughter.) Mr Hirst proposed—“ The Host and Hostess,” paying a well deserved coiuplim -nt for the maimer in which the table had been furnished.

Host McLean returned thanks in a few appropriate remarks. Mr Tai-uin proposed—“ The health of the Chairman,” whom he stated bad displayed considerable energy and ati-ontion in furthering the interests of the match just concluded. Mr Coutts, in responding, said he had no doubt as the committee gained experience they would avert the defects which were manifested that dav. The bolding of these matches enabled the farmers to effect improvements in their implements, and held out inducements to ploughmen to be industrious and attentive to their horses. He sin uld always feel happy in promoting this class of amusement.

The comp my separated after singing' “ Auld Lang Syne.’ 1