MARTON FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12100, 8 July 1920, Page 5

MARTON FARMERS’ UNION.

PLOUGHING MATCH.

KING THE CHAMPION,

Fair weather and fair fields favoured competitors in the Ninth Annual Ploughing Match held yesterday under the auspices of the above Union on Mr A. Poppe’s property at Pukepapa. The success of former years prompted the committee to. put on big prize monies and supporters were liberal with donations, and the result was good entries with the exception of one class. The fixture promises to be the biggest of the kind in the North Island, if not the whole Dominion. The gate constituted a record, over three hundred paying for admission, and of these a number were ladies, who shewed keen interest in the work. Greatest interest centred In Class A, open to all-comers. In this were competing A S Coleman, Marton. and F King, Stan way (who tied for the championship last year) R Burgess, a veteran Halcombs performer, R Coleman who was runnerup a couple of years ago, and other competitors who had annexed prizes in class B on previous occasions. Great disappointment was expressed when it was found that the Hastings competitor W C Baird was unable to compete'owing unfortunately to his gear not coming by rail This man holds a big record and much was expected of him. A Halcombs competitor, Mr Burgess, offered to stand down and lend his outfit, but this the visitor declined. The judges were Messrs G McKay and J Court, and the high order of ploughing made their selection a difficult one. In Class A King cane out a winner, securing the rose bowl and a number of special prizes, Burgess was second. In Class B there was also keen competition. J Black proved the winner, with J B Finnitnore second. In the competition for yonths under 20 there were only three, but they did good work, and the winner was H B Johnston. N Williamson,* a very slight lad, made a second attempt at securing first prize, and although not successful put up a very good performance. Mr G Ellis , of Bulls, judged the horses. The management of the day’s proceedings was excellent and the committee have a hard working and capable secretary in Mr R B Kilgour, who was assisted by Mr J Robson. An exhibit of farm roots attracted considerable attention. Entries were not numerous, but the specimens shown were testimony to fertility of the soil in the district, a prominent Canterbury farmer stating the swedes and turnips were much finer than any he had seen grown in his province. Oyer two hundred tried to guess thejweight of a sheep, and H Nifcschke and H Shephard tied with the correct weight, 12‘Jlbs. At the conclusion of the match the judges briefly addressed the gathering, Mr McKay referring to the excellence of the ploughing throughout • and the difficulty they had in judging. He congratulated Mr King on his win. Mr A S Coleman, chairman of the Union, and laat year’s tie champion, expressed regret that Mr Baird was unable to compete, but hoped he would do .so next year. He also congratulated Mr King on winning the rose howl. Cheers were given Messrs King, Burgess and Coleman and the judges. Light luncheon and afternoon tea were supplied by Mrs Quittendep of the Tipperary Tea Rooms, and there were no complaints. Results ■ — Class A—Double furrow, open to all comers. First prize £lO in cash, Challenge Silver Rose Bowl, valued at £l3 13s, to be won twice in succession or three times at intervals, and gold medal value £5 5s presented by Messrs F King and A S Coleman; second prize £7, third prize £4, fourth prize £3, fifth prize £l.—F King 1, R Burgess 2, A S Coleman 3, F Rasmusseu 4, R O Coleman 5. Also competed: R Mangham, B G Frederick and A D Carson. Class B—Dpnble farrow, open to men who have not won a first prize in men’s classes. First prize £7 in cash and Mr Walter Gray’s gold medal value £2 2s; second prize £5, third prize £3, fourth prize 1. Entry fee 10s.—-J Black 1, J B Finnemore 2, P Frederick 3. P Miller 4. Also competed: A Williams, S Harlock, D Managh, G Rasmussen and F Wells.

Glass O—Doable furrow for youths under 30 years of ago who have not won a first prize m this class. First prize £5 and Mr E Newman’s gold medal, value £2 3s; second prize £3; third prize £2, fourth prize £l. Entry fee ss.—H P Johnston 1, W Powell 2, N Williams 3. The only competitors. The judge recommended that the second competitor be given a special pr ize for excellent crown. SPECIAL PRIZES. Points prize in Glasses A and B F King and J Black tied. Points prize in Glass O—H P Johnston Best ploughed land on field—-F King Best crown on field —F King Best crown in Glass A—F King Best crown in Glass B—J Black Best crown in Glass O—H P Johnston Best finish on field—F King Best finish in Glass A—F King Best finish in Glass B—J Black Best finish in Glass G—H P Johnston ; Best four-horse team—Manson’s Estate 1, E Jenkins 2 Best three horsejieam—J Black 1. Best mare on ground—-E Jenkins. Best kept harness in general use— J Black. Best ploughing by genuine wageearner —F King Straightest ploughing—F King Oldest ploughman—R Burgess Longest * distance ploughman—G Rasmussen Straighest strike —A S Coleman Best ploughing by returned soldier —R Burgess 1, J Black 2, R O Ooiei man 3 :Best ins and outs—R Managh, Glass B. For ploughman longest with present employer—P Miller, j Ploughman with largest family—--1 A Williams j FARM ROOTS. | Judge: Mr John Morrison. Man- ! golds, long red—D F Whale; globe, D F Whale. Best turnips: A L Bishop; swedes, W Robertson ; field carrots, A Black ; collection roots, D, F Whale 1, H Shepherd 3. THE DINNER. "T The annual dinner took place in ' the Drnids’ Hall in the evening, over one Tmndred guests being seated, and Mr A' S . Coleman

presided. Full justice was done the dainty spread by Mrs Quittenden, and after the loyal toast had been honoured the chairman apoloigsod for the absence of Messrs Glenn ai|d Newman, M’s.P., the Mayor,of Marton, and a number of,others. Mr Johh Morrison tyas entrusted with the toast of the Army, Navy and Returned Soldiers, andr prefaced his remarks with a few words concerning ploughing and the match that day. The first and second com- I petitors in the big event came from his district and he was proud of them. Last year he had the pleasure of seeing hia end of the district (Mr King) uphold the end of the stick. Marton was a/ great agricultural district —the best in the North Island. He was sorry to. h ear of Mr Baird’s misfortnne and regretted members of Parliament were not present that he might .give them a dressing down concerning railway matters. He was sure that either King, Oolemah or Burgess would not have minded if Baird had taken the cup away. Ploughing matches had been started at Halcqmbe in order to bring oat young men to compete at Marton, and he humourously suggested that King should pull out as he was getting too good. He hoped Halcombs make Marton stand up to their work and that they would pull together. He reminded them that they had to cultivate the land, and if it,was ploughed well it would be cultivated. Referring to the toast he said we had been brought into a severe war and he was pleased that the response to the toast was coming from a speaker wearing the Returned Soldiers’ badge. Britain had produced an army, and the world had never seen anything like it. They had been told that the men were unfit, untrained, and not fit to fight against the German soldiers. But that had been overcome. .The Dominion boys with little training had shown that they were equal to the best German soldiers in the , field. They had shown what British soldiers could do. Britain had been caugnt with a handful of men and had undergone a great strain before they were properly equipped. The British nation stood miles above any other nation. The Navy had been prepared, .but not perhaps so well as it might have been. _We could not have won the war without it. She had kept the seas open—a very able thing to do, and hail conveyed the American Army with out losing a man. The Navy deserved great credit for what it had done. British seamen would reign jfor all time.

Rev, H T Peat (Padre) was honoured at having the privilege of responding, and he followed the proposer’s example in first alluding to the ploughing match; Even a clergyman could, take an interest in a pipnghing match. He had seen sufficient to know a straight line. (Laughter). But all the lines were not straight. (Renewed laughter). !He recognised that the Work was highly creditable and reflected great credit on those competing. The work of the lads would he of great use to them. The Navy ploughed the ocean and the Army had ploughed the earth. Some had been called diggers. Many had lived weary months after ploughing the ground. The Navy had not been in many scraps, beyond Jutland. It bad been spoken of as the silent service. He told one instance of its wonderful work, A large convoy being escorted by an American ship-of-war was informed that at a certain hour, a day or two later they would be picked up by a British escort. He told the story graphically and laughter was general. The British escort was right up to time. It was a silent service. During the whole war they did not hear much about it. but it did its work. The- Army also did its work well, and the boys were often up against it —in trenches in vicious, fiendish warfare for the sake of others. He told of the tigh ting on the Hindenburg line, and of ; the plight of the French villagers. Then came Foch and unity of command, and the tide of battle turned in our favour, and we won the war. The Army tried to do its part and did it well. He spoke of intense cultivation in France, where every foot of ground was cultivated and thsre were no fences, and told humorous incidents of antiquated farm implements in England. Referring to returned soldiers, he reminded his nearers that there were many on the land, but some of them did not know much about it, and asked if they were prepared to give them a hand. He was sure they would be glad of it. And if a returned soldier was in business they should help him to boost it. (Applause). * ‘They had fought for you and me,” he reminded them, and we should help them for having relieved us of the fiendish hell of warfare. The speaker sat down amidst applause. Mr Howie had the honour and privilege of proposing “Parliament,” hul did not know whether to regard it as a huge joke or take it seriously. It seemed to him a huge scramble. Three parties were blackguarding each qther. Reform, was now regarded as a term of reproach, and Labour was regarded with contempt. The Army and Navy were controlled by the House of Parliament, so there must be something good in them. We should live in . hope that our House of Parliament was a power of good. According to the newspapers it was a puzzle to find out how they did good. Mr Carson responded. He did not think all members were rognes. Members in NeW Zealand were trying to do their bast for the good of < the country. The war had left the country a difficult task to perform, and it would take the best to carry them through the next three years. They were fortunate in having such members as Messrs Newman and Glenn At present members were doing a lot of squabbling to see how matters stand The Farmers’ Union took no part in politics, but would support those who supported them The Union was fairly well represented in Parliament The present Government was the best ever elected, and Mr Massey was worthy of his office He was one of the straigbtesfc Premiers they hud ever had He had had a hard row through the National Government and came out of that crisis well Enemies did not think it was in the man All members, even Labour, were out to do their best for the good of ;tho country | At this stage prizes were presented i to the successful competitors, and I they were warmly applauded.

| Mr Staart toasted “The-Oom-j; petitors, ” and congratulated, them ‘ on their good work. It required I ability and brains to'do their work that day and bigger rewards were awaiting them. It was a-pity there I ifcere not more such men in the

country. Good all round pioag time n oonld not be picked up every day—and they should be the best paid of any farm hands. He regretted that Mr Baird was not able to compete. It was a result of the unsatisfactory way railways were run in this country. He had no i faith in Government running railways. If left to Government very little produce would go by He regretted ■ that the harmony existing between employer and employee as shown that night did not exist all over Hew Zealand. There was a feeling of unrest, but he did not agree with Mr Lysnar that the country was seething with dissatisfaction Employers would meet genuine workmen and not fall out about money. Bnt employees must not expect a lot for nothing Very often wrong men were choseh to represent them in Parliament If a man could not do any good for himself he would' not do 'any good in Parliament

Responding, Mr Burgess, who has competed for three years, said thait he had tried for the 'first time to nlongh with out boards and after a round or two felt inclined to pull out He urged that with a little perseverance some of the young fellows might do as well as King.

Mr Coleman, last year’s tie champion, congratulated Mr King on winning the Challenge Bowl. The speaker was one of the oldest competitors, and found it harder every year to get near King. He was pleased to see Burgess—a returned soldier and a sporr—making good work and congratulated him on having offered to pull out and give his plough to Mr Baird. They were all sorry Baird was not able to compete. The speaker announced that this was his last competition. He had bad his day and was going to coach his boys. He was pleased to see so many- returned soldiers in the prize list. Mr J Robson responded on behalf ot Mr jxing, who was indisposed, and felt it an honour to say a words on hebalf of the champion .who had won the cream of the prizes, and earned them. He had not always been a champion, but he was now champion of the biggest ploughing match in New Zealand. He hope i King would live many years to compete and hold his own. , “Agricultural Interests” was the toast of Mr G L Marshall, who said hardly anyone would not recognise that we were all .directly or indirectly concrened in it. If agricnltnral interests did not prosper New Zealand would be in a very sorry state. They must have increased production. Prices had been good for past five or six years, hue it was doubtful if they would be maintained He referred to the wool question and the discussions at the conference in Wellington, and the amount that would be in the county next December Bayers would not come out unless guaranteed shipping The meat position was much better, and the American market was open to us The lamb was very good, and they consumed vast quantities of it The lamb market was assured, alsOgprime wether mutton. He urged greater production and a larger population. Referring to Nauru he said Mr Massey had done great service in getting manures He did the price of land would affect the price of 'produce. Agricultural industries were going to flourish, not only as before but to a greater extent.

Mr W Oldfield responded. The wool question was an important one, but probably dairying would beat it in a tew years. There wati great room for cultivation, and if wool became a little stagnant perhaps we could turn to grain growing. But against this was the greatly increased cost of machinery. They could have cheaper wheat if they grew more, but it was doubtful if they could get it threshed at all. Mr Baird proposed “The Judges,” and said he was quite sure the3' had discharged their duties in a straightforward manner.

Mr Court acknowledged the toast with some witticisms and reminiscences. He agreed with the advice given that they should help returned soldiers.

Mr McKay congratulated tho committee on their good wftrfc. The ploughing was of a very high order. Men such as King, Coleman and Burgess were champions. The match that day was a great credit to the Union and the district. There was a call for more production—and the root of it was the plough. More intense production was wanted, they should plough well and they were starting a good work well. The lads in Glass O put up a very creditable performance, which was going to be the means of educating boys who came after*them. In Class A King’s work was of very high qaality. He could see this from one end of his work to the other. The performance was worthy of the host in New Zealand. Burgess was near winning, being very little behind/ the charm pion If he persisted he was going to be a champion. Coleman’s plough did not work so well in loose ground. He was sorry he was pulling out. He doubted if any match could get better work in New Zealand. In Class B the winner pot up a fine performance, ’the crown and break was the best he had seen. The ploughing was very neat but the packing not quite as good as it might he. One or two competitors did not show sufficient knowledge of the plough. Another competitor put in some beautiful work, but was rather thrown away in the first round or two. In Qlass O the cut in some cases was top deep and too' narrow —it was too much for tho horses and the boy It was better to work a little wider. The little chap, N Williamson, was a great credit, hut his plough was set too Hard. The speaker congratulated the Union on the success of the match. “The Ladies” and “Press” were honoured. •

Chairman proposed “The Secretary—Mr R B Kilgour,” to whom was due much of the success of the "match. They were pleased they had sach .a man in the district, and hoped they would have him for many years to come. Cheers were given for Mr Kilgour. ' Mr Kilgour, responding, said fee was pleased to act as secretary to such a good committee, and paid tribute to his assistant, Xfr S Robson, who made work easy for him. Mr'Marshall proposed “The Chairman.” He was a sport who had taken his defeat in good eipril The Chairman responded, staling he was pleased to be chairman of a committee whose energies • never seemed to cease.. He had no trouble in getting meetings and he hoped members would remain on the committee.*

The National Anthem followed hy

Auld Lang Syne and three hearty cheers for the competitors concluded a pleasant evening.