FARMERS' FIELD DAY AT WAKEFIELD.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11966, 20 June 1907, Page 1 (Supplement)

FARMERS' FIELD DAY AT WAKEFIELD.

A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. There was a great gathering of settlers from all parts of the district at Wakefield on June 3, the occasion being tne "Farmers' Field Day," under the auapices of the Wakefield Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, which took place at Mr F. Hooper's paddock. The attendance was estimated at over one thousand persons. It was a perfect midwinter's day, the sky being clear, and the atmosphere bracing. Much interest was taken in the various competitions, which were over in good timo, the last event being concluded before htilf-past four. The recntly-formed Richmond Brass Band was in atten. dance, and played selection;:; during the day under the conductorship of Bandmaster Cameron most creditably. Mr H. J. Harris, of WakeHeld, cat9red in first-class style, providing an excellent dinner. The spectators took a keen interest in the sheep dog trials, and the intelligent way in which the animals worked was keenly appreciated by the public, who warmly applauded any good work done by tbe dogs. Mr R. O'Brian, of Blenheim, was the most successful competitor, securing first prizes, with the maximum number of points in each case, in the "Heading, bringing back and yarding," and "Huntawiy and Slew" competitions. In the "Three Dogs Driving Five Sheep" event Mr Wallace Fairhall was successful, tho team being handled in first-class style. The ploughing competitions were also watched with, considerable interest, and the work of the competitors met with friendly criticism from many, but the almost unanimous opinion was that the workmanship was especially good considering the uneven state of the ground. There were ton entries for the tandem driving competition, over obstacles, and three for the ladies' (singlo horsi) competition over obstacles, and both events attracted considerable attention. The unharnessing and harnessing competition, for which there wore only two entries, was another popular event. Following are the particulars of the various events:— PLOUGHING. Judges Messrs J. Best and J. Bartlett. Stewards Messrs J. Hagen, Jaa. Leighton, and F. Kinzstt. Sinerle Furrow, Long Mould Board (on grass), Xj, acre; maximum points 25; strike out 10. strike in 5, workmanship 5. finish 5: J. Jordan (Dovedale), 9, 4, 4, 4, 21 points, 1; W. F. Schwass (Brigbtwater). 9, 4, 5 2, 20 points, 2: J. W. llagen (Spring Grove), 7, 4.- 2, 2, 15 points, 3. Single Furrow, short Mould Board 1 (stubble), y% acre: maximum points 25— strike out 10, strike in 5, workmanship 5, finish 5: A. .Lines (Hope), 7, 5, 5, 4, 21 points. 1: O. Schwass, G, 3, 4, 4, 17 points, 2: E. Hagen (Spring Grove), 8, 3, 3. 2, 16 points 3: H. Blackbie ( Hope), 15 points, and H. Thomas (Hope), 12 points, also competed. Straightest Strike Out: J, Jordan (Dovedale). Yonugest Ploughman: H. Blackbie (Hope). Oldest Ploughman: Christian Schwass (Hope), 64 years. This competitor secured second prize in the Short Mould Board Competition Best Pair Plough Horses (open to competitors only): H. Thomas (Hope). Best Work done by Oliver Plough : A. Lines (Hope). Championship Prize: J. Jordan (Dovedale). Special Prize by Mr George Kidd for the fastest time put up in ploughing competition"' H. Blackbie (Hope), 2 hours lOuiins, 1; E. Hagen ( Sp. Grove), 2brs 34mins, 2: H. Thomas (Hope), 3hra 4mins. 3. Other competitors' times: C Schwass, 3hrs 7mins: A. Lines, 3bra 15 mins. In the ploughing competitions five hours were allowed to complete the work. and time was not taken into consideration by tho judges, but the special prize was offered as an inducement for ibe men to expedite the work. SHEEP DOG TRIALS. Judges: Messrs S. J. Wratt and Stephen Moffatt. Stewards: Messrs F. and W. Fairhall, P. Hisgins Joe Wella, T. Bright, and George Leierhton. Timekeepers: Mr J. Glen and Dr. Hamilton. Heading, Bringing Beck and Yarding. Maximum points 40— points for heading 8, bringing back 8, holding in ring G, style at yard 8, yarding 4: R. O'Brian's Watch, 15months (Blenheim), 8, 8, 8, 6, 6, 4, 40 points, time 7min lC^secs, 1: Jos Eves' Toss, 8, 7, 8, 6, 6, 4, 39 points, smin 4G 3 sth sees. 2: A. Kerr's Stripe, 8, 7, 7, 6, 5, 4, 37 points, omin 58secs, 3. Also competed: E. Christian's Rae, Horace Rose's Lark, Jas Scott's Baden, H. Wratt's Don, A. Batt's Nip. Jas Franklyn's Brindle and Boss, E. R. Andrews' Meg, H. O. Pearless' Swamp, R. Mead's Glen, A. Wilkinson's Dan, and R. O' Brian's Nap. The winning dog headed the sheep quickly, brought them from the side of the hill to the paddock well, rounding the three sheep and yard ing in first-oalss style. Mr Eves' dog ; after heading the sheep, worked them to the yards quietly, and yarded them with very little trouble. Mr Allan Kerr's Stripe also headed and brought back well, but in the first attempt only succeeded in yarding two. The second effort was more successful, all three sheep being penned. Other competitors met with varying success, some lost the sheep on the hill, others brought them to the paddocfc and then lost them, and several failed to yard any sheep at all. Hunt^Away and Slew. Maximum points 30 -points for hunting G,com. mand 10, noise 8, style 6: R. O'Brian's (Blenheim) Nap, 3 years, 6, 10, 8, 6, 30 points, 4 rains SOsecs, 1; F. Fowler's (Spring Grove), Wylie, 5, 7, 6, 4, 22 points, 3m ins 47secs, 2: h. Mead's Jack, 5, G, 5, 4, 20 points, 6min 3. Also competed: E. Christian's Rae, and Jas Scott's Sharp. This was an interesting competition, three sheep to be driven through three sets of flags place 3 at various distances on the hillside. Mr O'Brian worked hie dog splendidly, and : negotiated the three sets of flagsjsuccessfully, being awarded the maximum number of points. Mr Fo fler's dog took the sheep through the first two, but missed the third set. Mr L. Mead's dog missed the first and third sets, but safely negotiated the second one. E. Christian's Rae lost ore sheep, but got the two*others through the first two sets of flags. Mr J. Scott's Sharp lost all. the sheep. Team of Three Dogs to drive Five Sheep through' Three . Sets of Flagß ■ Mr Wallace Fairhall's Laddie, Jack and Rowdie, 6mins, 1; L. Mead's Jack, Rag and Scott, 9mins 23secs, 2: Horace Rose's Jack," Jock and Lark, lOmins 25secs, 3. Allan Kerr's team also competed. The : winner's dogs worked steadily, and placed the five sheep through the three sets of flags without difficulty. The special prizes in these classes were awarded as follows: For the quietest- worked dog, MrJoaEves; for tbe dog under best command, Mr R. O'Brian; greatest number of points, Mr R. O'Brian Driving Competition (tandem), over obstacles: H. T? ■.•";.■ is 1. E. Hagen 2, W. L^i^n .1 ttoren othor-< competed. Ladies' Driving (siuu-»o)r i>v o r obstacles: Miss Hagen l,Miss Cunningham 2, Miss Leighton 3. Point to Point, Unharness and Heturn : W. Hagen 1, — Leighton 2.. Only competitors. Stepping Competition, 100 yd s: O. Wadsworth, 100 yds, 1; J. Thomasson, 2. Thirty-nine entries.