Timaru Ploughing Match.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 170576, 5 August 1921, Page 9

Timaru Ploughing Match.

AT YESTERDAY

A CONSPIOtJOUS SUCCESS,

CEticials.—President, Mr A. Copeland; vice-president, ZNI r IV. Divan ; committee, Mossrs \V. Blat*kwood, H. .1. Edgar, W. King Junr, W. J. Bassett, A. Gibson, A. Fraser, I>.1 > . R. Talbot, P. Porter, .T. Luck, A. F. Stocker, J, Maze, M. Slaze, P. Davie, W. J6nes, It. 1 rving. J, Frampton, D. Grant, Jns. Hunter; horse judges, Messrs J- M. Macdonald (Timaru) and P. Porter (Rosewill) ; ploughing judges, Messrs G. Bruce (Oamaru) and J. Gilmour (Tai Tapu); honorary secretary, Mr E. Cartwright. Thceo who say that far too much time is devoted to sport by the rising generation would have boon agreeably surprised at the ploughing match which was held at Wasbdyko yesterday to see so many young men there, all as enthusiastically interested as they were the previous day in Timaru when South Canterbury met the Springboks at football. The attendance was estimated at about 1000, and it, as well as tlio number of competitors, constituted a record for n Timaru ploughing match. A good many ploughing matches have been held in Canterbury this season, but yesterday’s match at Wash dyke eclipsed them all in every respect. Competitors were drawn from north of Christchurch, and as far south as Oamaru, and they included some of the best men with the plough in New Zealand. The work done was of a high, order, and there were some very fine teams on the ground. It was quite evident that so far as the men on the land are concerned they know well how to work as well as to play. The match’was held on Mr D. ."Wilson’s farm at Waslidyke. and here a very large number of motor cars were parked, people attending from far and near. A charge of Is was made for admission, and about £-10 was taken at tl\c gates. This however does not represent nearly all w,lio were present, as a largo number of complimentary tickets were issued, and eliildren were admitted free. Ploughing started at 10 a.m.. and was watched with interest all day, the last furrow being turned about 4.30 p.m. . To the townsman it might seem to be‘impossible to arouse excitement over ploughing, but the uninitiated who attended yesterday’s trials were quickly disillusioned on this point when they saw the interest that was manifested in the strike-outs, and the rush for front stands whenever a ploughman was approaching his finish. The ins apd outs too, were freely inspected, and the plain work with two and three-furrow ploughs, as well as the very creditable ploughing by hoys, and the artistic work of the top-notch fancy ploughmen came in for close scrutiny and not a little admiration. Liberal prize money was given, over £IOO being given in cash, and in addition there were cups and medals. The field operated on was perfectly fla+v in old pasture that had hot been broken up for a dozen years, and while it was fairly easy to break no. notwithstanding its matted top ot feswc, the soil, owing to the short rainfall of the winter was somewhat lo 'Se to enable pretty work to be done. Nevertheless the work was of 'a _ very high, standard as all present admitted, j and amongst those who were most lavish in their praise were men who had had experience of ploughing as a fine art in England ":id Canada.- All the arrangements were excellent, thanks to the president and his committee, and espc-Tally to the enthusiastic and untiring secretary (Mr E. Cartwright,'. Mr Bryant, of Geraldine, was responsible for the entering, rind he was kept very Inis'- from noon onwards in attending to the physical needs of the-multitude. 'Some of the competitors had hotter land than others to plough, the paddock being oiie with many inequalities in it, but with more of them in some parts than in others. G. Hunter, who is a. veteran at the game, took first honours in Class A (cut ns you please), and the verdict was one which found general endorsement. He opened out as straight as a gun barrel, his every furrow was well set up, making a good seed hod and with just the requisite amount of comb, while his finish was gauged to a nicety and left nothing to be desired. J. Calder, who won Class B- (Alain ploughing, cut as yqu please, with coulters) is a one-armed man from North Canterbury, and the skilful way in which ho managed liis team, adjusted his plough, and carried out his work without a mistake won the admiration of all. He was not only first in his class, but won also for feerings and finishes, and he showed in a striking manner lionfine an art ploughing lias been reduced

to. The biggest class of all avas lor farmers’ plain ploughing, and in this C. \V. Turner,' of Mnlkett, carried _ otf first honours. He made a very nice, clean furrow, of ujMiorm size and width, and with a beautiful unierereep, such as only a skilled ploughman could make, llis feering was also the best ill tli3 class, but bis finish was a little lacking. Mr Turner also won in the- class for returned soldiers, which was held in conjunction width the class for farmers-’ plain ploughing. The class for boys under 19 years was particularly good, and in this V. Cartwright was awarded pride of place, Eric Hart coining second. Tho other competitors in the glass were not far behind tho two named. A lot of interest centred in the three-furrow class, and the work done in this by tho winner (15. Hide) would he difficult to improvo upon tor three-furow ploughing, though_the other two competitors in the class (E. Stocker and N. Hayman) also made a very creditable showing. Great interest centred in an exhibition which was given by the Case 1018 plough tractor, full particulars of which aro given in another column.

MEMBER FOR TIMARU SPEAKS. Mr J. Craigie, M.P. for Timaru, had been asked to distribute the jirizes, and in doing so ho made a few remarks. He said he was delighted to see so many present, and all taking a keen interest in the tilling of the soil. It made lor efficiency and increased production, and they should all he interested in that. Science and good workmanship should be encouraged in every possible way, and ploughing matches wore an aid in that direction. Ho understood from those who had been to other ploughing matches this season that the Timaru one eclipsed them ail in every way, and it was therefore entitled to bo classed as the metropolitan match of Canterbury. (Applause.) He congratulated the committee on the success they had achieved, and went on to give a brief history of the evolution ol ploughing from the time when it jwas first under-! taken by the Egyptians with' ploughs made of stout sticks and drawn by men and women, up to tho present day, and predicted that tho next forward move would be in tho direction of ploughing with electricity as the motive power. Mr Craigie reminded them of how noble a calling was that- of following the -plough,' mentioning in this connexion the Homan noble Cmcinuatus, who was chosc-n Dictator while following agricultural pursuits, and who, after (ideating the Aequinns, returned to _ his farm. Agriculture was the basis of their prosperity; but lor it the towns in New Zealand could not exist; and it was responsible for their motor ears, their picture shows, their fur coats, and their silk stockings. (Laughter and applause.) The olficial figures up to June 20 of this year showed how well the grain-growing industry stood to Canterbury. Up to the date named 6,309,000 bushels of wheat had been threshed in New Zealand, and of this quantity Canterbury was responsible for 5,070,000 bushels—equal in money, value to about £2,090,000. (Applause.) The slump had been bad enough, but iwhat would it have been without this £2,000,000? Canterbury, the best part of New Zealand, should he thankful that, it was not wholly dependent on wool and mutton. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, Mr Craigie proposed n comprehensive vote of thanks to Mr D. Wilson, for having lent his paddock, to tho'judges, to tho competitors who had come long distances, to those who had lent- teams for the day, to the donors of prizes, and to the soldiers who had gone to the war and kent the flag flying, and so made possible the match of that day.

Mr Craigie invited his hearers to give the soldiers ’ ’mvo' hearty cheers, and the call was responded to in no uncertain way.

The. vote of thai-ws to all those enumerated was carried by acclamation, and tho proceedings wore brought to a close.as the night was fast closing in.

PLOUGHING MATCH PRIZE LIST. • Class A.—Cut As You Please. G. Hunter (Pukouri) 1. A. Brown (Wnihao Downs) 2. TL Yoss (Willowbridge) 3. IV. Divan (Rosewill) 4. Best feering. G. Hunter. Finish, G. Hunter. Competitor who had not previously won a first, prize in a similar class, H. Voss. Class B. —Plain Ploughing (Coulter Cut.) ■ J. Calder (Halkeit) 1. J. Forsyth (East Eyre ton) 2. J. Broughan (Morveu) 3. ■ TV. J. Stevens (EHHeton) 4. Feering, J. Calder. Finish,- J. Calder.

Class C. —Farmors’ Plain Ploughing. O. IV. Turner (HalketO 1. V 7. Bcgg (Wakanui) 2. .1. A. Hidden (LowcliilV) 3. D. Wilson (,W ash dyke) -1. •J. Divan (Seadown) C>. A. -M. Harwood (Aylesbury) 6. Peering, C. W. Turner. Finish, A. Esler (Claremont). Returned Soldiers’ Ploughing. C. IV. Turner (Ha.lkett) I. J. Divan (Seadown) 2. J. Broiighun (Waslidyke) 3. Class D.—Boys’ Plain Ploughing. V. Cartwright (Levels) 1. Erie Hart (Rosewill) 2. IV. Brosnahan (Rosewill) 3. Dan O’Keefe (Rosewill) 4. Din O’Keefe (Rosewill) 5. Feering, V. Cartwright. Finish, Dan O’Keefe. Ins and outs, Din O’Keefe. Class E. —For Three Furrow Ploughs. .15. Hide (Seadown) 1. .15. Stocker (Waslidyke) 2. N. Hayman (Studholme) 3. Feering, E. Hide. Finish, 15. Hide. GENERAL PRIZES. Straightost ploughing at the match, G. Hunter. Best ins and outs at the match, Din O’Keefe. Best work by a local man, IV- Divan. Youngest ploughman on the ground, V. Cartwright (15 years). Three-horse team, D. Grant 1 and 2. Four-horse team, D, Ross Senr 1, A. Esler 2. Six-horse team, S. Chapman 1, E. Hide 2. Best kept harness, R. J'. Edgar 1, W. Divan 2. Best kept harness in daily use, W. Divan 1, G. Shaw 2. Best groomed team, D. Grant 1. Ploughman with largest family, J. Calder (7). Ploughmail from tlio longest distance, J. Calder 1. Best decorated team, D. Wilson 1. Best ploughing on thoi ground, G. lluntor.