LONG BUSH.

Southland Times, Issue 2136, 23 June 1875, Page 3

LONG BUSH.

(from otjb own cokbespondent.) Our annuaJ ploughing match came off, as advertised, on Friday last, in a field on the north side of the bush belonging to Mr McKercher. For nearly a week past the weather has bad anything but a promising aspect. Day after day there was Bain, rain, nothing but rain, Dashing against the window pane ; Up on the mountain, down on the plain — Rain, rain, nothing but rain. On the morning of the eventful day, however, the clerk of the weather, propitiated, no doubt, by the savory odors which ascended from the culinary manipulations in the "Waihopai Hotel, shed a few repentant tears, and at his behest the clouds rolled away, and revealed again the liquid blue, and the sun shed down his benignant beams, and brightened the pearly emerald of the field where bucolic honors were to bo contested and won. At the usual bour in tho morning there was a goodly attendance of members of the committee, and from every direction competitors with their horses and implements, were to be seen wending their way to the place of contest. Tickets were drawn at half-past 8, and exactly at 9 o'clock no fewer than 18 ploughs started operations. This number is double the average of the entries of the last three years, and is a Bure index of the return of prosperity to an association which claims the honor of being the first established in the district, or province rather, and which has done good service in the days gone by. Without reflecting in the least on the management of former years, this return of increased popularity and success is fairly attributable to the zealous and indefatigable exertions of the present officials and members of the association. The competitors were classified as follows — Double furrow ploughs, 8 entries i Clags Ist, Beniors, single furrow ploughs, 6 entries Class 2nd, do, do, 2 entries Class 3rd, juniors, 2 entries. The large number of double furrow ploughs in the field may be accounted j for as a consequence of the very liberal offer of a special prize by C. Basstian, Esq. The soil— even after the drenching rains— was in good order. The day was all that could be desired — bright, clear, and genial for a day in midwinter. In the afternoon there was in the field a fair sprinkling of spectators, both from the surrounding district and from town. Many were prevented from attending by the wretched condition of the roads, and from the remoteness of the field from the various centres of population. Not a few who make pretensionß to be considered agriculturists in a scientific and practical sense, were conspicuous by their abseuce. The hearty interest manifested by those present in the procedure of the day amply compensated for their non-appearance, which, perhaps, may be regarded rather as complimentary than otherwise. Mitchell's tent was on the ground, where tea, coffee, and other beverages could at all times be obtained, and which appeared to be very liberally patronised. About 4 o'clock the judges, Messrs Hay (Eiverton), Morton (Wallacetown), and Fleming (Mabel), entered on their arduous task, and after a minute and careful inspection of the work, placed their awards in the hands of the secretary, by whom they were immediately announced to the public. They are as follows — Double furrow plough — Prize of £5, gWeaby C. Baastian, Efq., along with tho Association's pri?<) of £5. 1, John Irvine, £10 2. — Finlayson, £4 8. D. McGowan, £3 4. J. A. Mitchell, £2. First senior class — Single furrow plougb.B. 1. A. Christie, £5 2. W. Hallida.y, £3 3. John McKercher, £2. Second senior class — Single furrow ploughs. 1. H. Sadlier, £1 10s. Junior class— single furrow ploughs. 1. — Warnock, £1 10s. Beet break, John Mclntosh, £1 Best finish, John Mclntjre, £1. f £The work done in the field was pronounced by competent judges to be highly creditable and worthy of all p.nmtnflnfiation. The awards— flf_fchfl.

judges gave universal satisfaction, and it is gratifying to know that after paying all claims, there will be a considerable balance in the hands of the treasurer for next year's campaign. In the evening the annual dinner took place in a large erection on the adjacent farm of Hamilton Park. About 40 gentlemen eat down to a repast, on which, the highest compliment that can be bestowed is — that it was got up in Mitchell's very best style. After dinner the usual loyal and local toasts were given and duly honored, and a most harmonious and agreeable evening was spent. I had almost forgot to mention that the duties of chairman acid croupier were ably discharged by Messrs E. Hamilton and W. D. Basstian respectively. After a brief interval — during which the tables were removed and the room cleared— dancing commenced, and soon all — old and young--were threading the mazes of reels, strathspeys, ts well as foreign innovations and local novelties of which — not being an adept in the nomenclature of the Terpsichorean science — i am unable to give the proper designations. All went merry as a marriage bell, and dance and song alternated till Chanticleer sounded the approach of the " wee short hours ayont the twal," " When all took off their several way Resolved to meet some other day."