FIFTY YEARS AGO.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16608, 4 December 1919, Page 5

FIFTY YEARS AGO.

TARANAKI’S EARLY HISTORY. (From the Taranaki Herald of 1869.) Saturday, December 4.—Ploughing and sheep shearing matches took place at Beil Block on Thursday in a paddock of Air. Rundie’s, auuut a mile from the village. Following is a list of competitors in the ploughing matches, with the ploughs used and the tunes occupied in ploughing half an acre:— SENIORS. G. Tate (Howard’s) two horses, 3hrs. 34min.; S. Rundio (Howard’s) two bullocks, hhrs. 37min.; U. Sampson (Howard's) two horses, 3hrs. 18in.ii.; .1. Street (Sellar’s) two bullocks, bins. 22miu. A. George (Ransom and S.uis’) two bullocks, 3jii's. 4dinin. ; Diamond (Howard's) two horses, -tins, Rhmn. ; J. Ractenbury (Hornsby’s) two horses, 4hrs. lomin. JUNIORS. F. Jones (Tasker) two horses, 4hrs. 3rain. ; \V. Tate (Dray and Co.'s) two bullocks, 4hrs. Omiu. ; R. lloneyhcld (Hornsby) two horses, 4hrs. lliniii.; F. Hensley (Howardls) two bullocks, gave in. The judges wore Mr. Marshall, of Tataraimaka. and Captain Good, of Urenni, the umpire being Mr. G. Cutfield . The awards in the senior wore: —A. George 1, G. Sampson 2, S. llundle 3. Juniors;—R. Houeyfield 1, W. Tate 2, F. Jones 3. For the sheep shearing matches the judges were Mr. T. Veaio and Mr. M. Jonas, and the umpire, Mr. C. Harnhlyn. The competitors and times for shearing one ram and one ewe, and tying up the fleeces were:— SENIORS. J. B. Connett, 52min.; G. Tate, jr., 57min.; H. George, 75min.; G. Sampson, 54miu.; W. Barriball, 58min.; C. Barriball, SOmin.; S. Ruiidlc, 65rain. JUNIORS. S. Barriball, 80min.; J. George, 65min.; G. Randle. SOmin. Tho awards in the senior competition were:—J. B. Connett 1, S. Rundlc 2, G. Sampson 3. Juniors:—J. George 1, S. Barriball 2. After the matches a dinner was held in a marquee erected by Mr. Goddard, of tho Prince of Wales Hotel. Mr. R. Ruuclle presided and his Honour, the Superintendent, Mr. F. A. Carrington, was among the guests. During tho month of November, 1809, the total produce exported from Taranaki was 50 bales wool, 59 bales flax, 21 tons potatoes, 80 sheep skins, 46G51b. blitter, 324 dozen eggs, and 3cwt. cheese.

A cricket match was played yesterday between the Garrison and E and I Companies of the 18th Royal Irish. The latter wont in first and scored 50, the Garrison responding with an equal number. The Royal Irish were all out for <l3 in their second innings, and the Garrison scored 45 for the loss of three wickets.