PLOUGHING MATCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 14002, 10 September 1909, Page 6

PLOUGHING MATCH.

AT WASHDYKE. A successful ploughing match was held at Washdyke yesterday, in a paddock opposite the racecourse, kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Shadbolt. There was a lair attendance of farmers and others interested, and the' work of the competitors was watched with keen interest. The competitors had a paddock." as level as a billiard tabic on which, to operate; the ground was in very fine order, and some highly creditable work with the plough was done, especially in fancy ploughing, or what is termed the. high cut- There were four classes, and though the entries were not as numerous as could hare been wished, the committee of management have determined that nothing will be -lacking in this respect; another year, and in order to attract competitors from far and near, they have decided on a £2O prize next year, their ample .bank balance fully ; warrantaing this. " Work was started by the different' teams yesterday morning at 10.30,' and shortly alter 3 p.m. the last man had cut put. Each competitor ploughed a little less 'than..half an acre.

Those in charge of affairs (and who promoted the match), were:—Messrs M. Ala Be, K. Irving, J.. Divan, and J. binclair,' the latter acting as lion, secretary. Messrs JR. . Irving and A. Ait ken. officiated as judges. A good dinner was on the grounds by Mr J. Shewan. la Class ▲'< (high cut), there were two competitors, Messrs A. Martins (Seadown) and John Divan (Washdyke). A first prise of £3 was given, together with a special of half a ton of manure, 'the latter being given by the Christchurch Meat. Company... A second prise of £3' was givenvi , Mr J - . C. Hay, who drove Mr Martin's plough, opened odt very-neatlyi'-his feerihg not 1 * being distinguuhable. from r the rest of. r his •/*"'■ ; ;hiee; straight line, turned a good clean, furrow, so that his ground was left" uniform and compact, and in addition, his ins and outs, ,as well as his finish, left nothing' to be desired. W. Divan, who wielded the plough for J. Divan, also did good work, but his feering was rather high, and his ground was left , a little spongy.. His"ins and onts were t good, and his- mids was not bad, but on the whole Hay's work was the best, and ho was awarded first honours. In Class B (any cut), a first prize of £3 was giveni there being only one competitor. This was Donald 'Ross, whose plough was driven -by. J f Brennan. This was BrenhanV first attempt at ploughing, he having been a ship's steward for some time, and latelv a drover. Considering this" lie did Tery well, though his work was not, 'of course. np_to professional standard. * l !i- CJa 5? C jCp'ain ploughing), prizes of £3, £2 and £1 were given. There were three competitors. B. Horgan, who is now a veteran at the game, turned a good clean furrow, kept his line; ate straight as an arrow, watched carefully his ins and outs, and finished ud (without any waste. It was good all over, and the judges awarded him' the palm. F. W. Heid, who drove for W. Harkness, mado a fair feering, nnd * moderate finish. Taken generally, his was a sample of good Touch ploughing, and jt camo in for third place,

while W. Coppia who drove W. Rcid's plough, took second place. Coppiu opened fairly well, his ins and outs were good, but lie got somewhat eff the straight in his finish. In Class D for youths under 20 years there were prizes of £3 and £2. John Shaw, who was in charge of G. Shaw's plough got a little astray with his feering and his ins and outs were uneven, but he finished well, and taken generally his was a sample of good farm plouglug. He was placed first, and F. J. Biggs, who drove for'A. Biggs, second. Biggs was not too successful with his' opening cut; his furrows were liardly high enough and his work looked rather shabby. His mids was good, but rather deep. Other prizes were awarded as follows :

Class A—Best feering. J. C. Hay. Best finish, J. C. Hay. B—Feering, J. Brennan. Finish—J. Brennan. C Feering, B. Horgan. Finish, B. Horgan. D.—Feering, F. J. Biggs. Finish, F. J. Biggs. Straightest ploughing, J. C. Hay. Ploughman last finished, W. Divan. Champion lot. J. C. Hav. Best kept harness in daily use, A." Biggs first, W. Divan second. Three-horse team, W. Divan first, J. C. Hay second. Best groomed horses, W. Divan first, J. Brennan second. Special prizes were given by Messrs J. E. Hordlev. Belford Flour Mills, D. 1.C., G. P. Ge'rrie and Co., S. Hanson, W. A.Pearson and Co,, Timaru Milling Company, John Bobertson, J. BallanHughes, and P. Palleson.