WESTERN DISTRICT PLOUGHING MATCH.

Southland Times, Issue 1952, 24 July 1874, Page 2

WESTERN DISTRICT PLOUGHING MATCH.

• (PROjVI OUE OW*N" COIt RESPONDEAT). The Western District Ploughing Match came off, as advertised, on the 22nd inst., in a lea paddock belonging to Mr R. Hazlett. As regarded tho number of ploughs, the turn-out was a poor one, as there were only three double furrows, and four single furrows on the ground. This was in a great degree traceable to the swollen state of the river, from the western side of which eight or nine ploughs, double and single furrow, would have come had it been otherwise. As it was, however, the quality of the work done was excellent, and the appearance of the teams was liighly satisfactory. The we ither and the state of the ground were very favorable to the match, although the previous severe fro3ts prevented inton ling competitors from having ■their ploughs i . proper trim, and hid no dou'jt been the cause of keeDin| away mmy who would otherwise have entered tlie lists. Th ere were a great many spectators present, and it is to be regretted that there was not more for them to look at. The owners of the double-furrow ploughs were — Mr John Brown, Mr James Cumininc;, and Mr James Turnbull ; and of the sinsjlefiirrow plough?, Mr J )hn Hall, Mr Jimjs Hiy, Mr Andrew Hall, and Mr John Lindsay. Messrs John Morton, William Waidell, and Lachlan Fraser acted as judges. DOUBLE FURROWS. First prize, John Brown, £5, and the cup presented by C. Bisstian, Esq. ; 2nd do, James Turnbull, special, 2 pairs chains, presented by Mr Henderson, ancl a set of trees by Messrs Reid and Sons. Best break — James Turnbull, £1. Best finish — John Brown, £1. SINGLE F [THROWS. First prize, James Hay, £5 ; 2nd do, Andrew Hall, £3 10s. Best breik— James Hay, £1. Best finish — Andrew Hall, £1. For best pair of horses, John Lindsay, 1 pair Scotch hames, value £1, presented by Mr feudcrson ; second best pair, John Hall, 10.->. Be3t 3 horse 3, James Turnbull, 30j, given by Mr D . Murchie, Riverton ; sacond bast do, James Cumming 15s. Best kept harnes* and best groomed horses, James Cumming, £1. The awards seemed to give general satisfaction Between 50 and 60 gentlemen sat down to dinner ia Mr Hazlett's barn, Mr Davis, of Groper's Bus i, having acte'? as caterer. The chair was occupied by Mr Jamas W. Hamilton, and Mr W. A. Lyon acted a3 vice-ahairman. As soon as the cloth was removed, the usual loyal and appropriate toasts were duly proposed and responded to.