HIGH STANDARD PLOUGHING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20492, 10 August 1936, Page 8

HIGH STANDARD PLOUGHING

SUCCESS OF TIMARU MATCH KEEN INTEREST OF PUBLIC A united town and country gave its support to the Timaru Ploughing Match Committee, who on Saturday made the annual fixture, which was held in a paddock adjoining the Washdyke Railway Station, loaned by Mr D. Grant, one of the most successful meetings on record. The weather was at its best, and although in the morning a hard frost militated against an early start, the ploughmen soon got under way and transformed the grassy surface into thousands of neat furrows. The recent rains and the nor’westers of the week made the paddock excellent for good workmanship. One of the most popular fixtures of its kind in New Zealand, the match again attracted good entries and high standard ploughmen. The tillers of the soil came from as far north as North Canterbury and from as far south as Drummond. Prominent amongst the competitors was A. Brown of Waimate, who recently returned with the North Island championship. He has been associated with the Timaru match for many years and his list of successes is formidable. The South Canterbury Stock Auctioneers and Woolbrokers’ challenge cup, which this outstanding ploughman won for the third time on Saturday, now becomes his property. In spite of Brown’s appearance in the A Class, the entries, comprising six, were the best for many years and as good as could be found in any match. A 'leasing feature of the day was the interest in their work of the younger ploughmen, all of whom showed promise of developing into first rate competitors. The teams came forward in excellent condition, the horses showing as much bloom as ever. Contrast in Method.

While the horse drawn ploughs moved quietly but surely in timehsnoured fashion on one side of the grounds, the chugging tractor moved at a brisker pace in other parts. Entries in this section were practically twice the number of last year, while the working exhibitions given by other mechanised farm units, gave the spectators much to interest them throughout the day. A dog trial is one of the most popular attractions of the fixture and on Saturday some splendid work was witnessed, some of the dogs being outstanding. Other competitions were staged to assist in materially making the day an outing which is greatly appreciated by town and country alike. Early in the morning motor cars from all parts of the district sought accommodation on the grounds and the attendance reached a very satisfactory total in the afternoon. Although the gates were down on last year, £62/19/6, as against £lO2, more tickets were disposed of this year, and this money was in hand before the patrons reached the gates. The flat was a scene of great activity throughout the day and the keenest lr t erest was displayed in every phase of the function. Added enjoyment was provided by selections from the Timaru Junior Municipal Band, under the direction of Lieut. W. H. Osborne, and from the Timaru Highland Pipe Band under Pipe Major Morrison and DrumMajor Andrew. Capable Officials. Many of them ploughmen who are past champions of the art, and who have now turned their talents to the organising side of matches, the committee by their capable direction, assured the success of the fixture. The president (Mr T. E. Hide) and the secretary (Mr E. Cartwright), ably assisted by Mrs Cartwright, officered a large regiment of officials, each one of whom had a job to do and did it well. It is the smooth running of the Timaru Ploughing Ma*'’* that assures its popularity from year to year. The fertility of South Cantedbury is widely-known In the Dominion and it is appropriate

that the match should set a standard in keeping with the district. The officials were as follow: — The officials were as follow: President—Mr T. E. Hide; Vice-Presi-dents: Messrs W. J. Parry and W. Hill; Committee—Messrs C. McPhedran, W. J. Bassett, A. Fraser, W. S. Jones, A. M. Copland, E. Hide, J. Nicol, W. Divan, W. Gray, A. Gibson, W. Blackwood, J. F. K. Jamieson, A. Grant, R. J. Edgar, J. Hunter, C. H. Black, W. J. Black, J. Parry, J. Stowell, C. H. Johnstone, J. R. Doak, R. Davie, R. Fraser, J. Gibson, H. G. Jamieson, A. G. Jamieson, W. Biggs, P. Parry, D. Doak, W. Hill, J. Aitken, J. Davidson, W. M. Smith, J. Wylie, W. Mack, A. D. Waters. Ground Committee— Messrs R. J. Edgar (chairman), A. M. Copland, A. Fraser, A. Gibson, W. Divan, J. Nicol, C. McPhedran, W. Blackwood, W. Biggs, J. Parry, E. Hide, J. Wyllie and the president and secretary. Dog Trial Committee — Messrs J. F. K. Jamieson (chairman), J. Davidson, R. Davie, J. Aitken, A. D. Waters and the secretary. Ploughing Judges —Messrs E. C. Whyte (Hilderthorpe), J. C. Hay (Morven), J. G. S. Wyllie (Sefton), W. M. Skevington (Ashburton), J. Forsyth (Morven), J. Turnbull (Christchurch). Judges of Horses and Harness—Messrs J. J. Wyllie (Omihi) and Mr W. J. Doak (Rakaia). Dog Trial: Judge—Mr J. Davidson (Pleasant Point); timekeeper—Mr J.Aitken (Timaru). Entertainment Committee—Messrs W. B. S. Jones, W. J. Bassett, W. Divan, A. Fraser, J. F. K. Jamieson, A. Copland, A. Grant, T. E. Hide. Field Stewards —Messrs W. Blackwood, W. Divan, R. J. Edgar, R. G. Samson. Gate Stewards — Messrs J. Stowell, J. Parry, C. H. Black, W. J. Black. Horse? and Harness Steward —Mr A. Copland. Hon. Veterinary Surgeon—Mr W. Smith. Treasurer —Mr W. Divan. Hon. Secretary—Mr E. Cartwright. PLOUGHING RESULTS Resulth were as follow: Class A. Double furrow, open, cut as you please; silver cup and £4; £4; £3; £l/10/-: A. Brown (Waimate) 1 J. Nimmo (Airedale) 2 W. J. Gibson (Papakaio) 3 J. Gibson (Tycho) 4 Best feering: A. Brown. Best finish: J. Mcrrin (Tinwald). Straightest ploughing: H. Voss (Willowbridge). Special (for those who have never won first prize, Class A): J. Gibson 1, J. Merrin 2. Class B. Double furrow, open, coulter cut, plain cast shares; silver cup and £4; £4; £3; £l/10/-: K. Boyle (Springston) 1 T. L. Hayman (Stuuholme) 2 A. Fraser (Rosewill) 3 J. Irwin (Rakaia) 4 Best feering: T. L. Hayman. Best finish: K. Boyle. Straightest ploughing: K. Boyle. Special (for those who have never won more than one first in similar class): A. Fraser 1, J. Irwin 2. Class C. (district). Double or three furrow, plain coulters, plain cast shares, no compound levers; silver cup and £4; £4; £3; £2; £1; 10/-: — F. King (Rosewill) 1 J. P. Porter (Rosewill) 2 G. McMillan (Sutherlands) 3 W. King (Rosewill) 4 D. M. Murray (Rosewill) 5 G. C. Murray (Hadlow) 6 Best feering: J. P. Porter. Best finish: J. Beckinsale (Rosewill). Straightest ploughing: J. P. Porter. Class D. (youths under 18), plain coulters, plain cast shares; silver cup and £4 £4; £3; £2:— H. King (Rosewill) 1 J. Nicol (Rosewill) 2 J. R. Black wood (Tycho) 3 M. Leonard (Hadlow) 4 Best feering: H. King. Best finish: J. Nicol. Straightest ploughing: H. King. Class E. Three-furrow, open, coulter cut, plain cast shares, to start ana finish with full team; silver cup and £4; £4; £3: — D. Morris (Rakaia) 1

J. B. Wyllie (Claremont) 2 E. M. Duncan (Rakaia) .. , 3 Best feering: J. B. Wyllie. Best finish: E. M. Duncan. Straightest ploughing: D. Morris. Class F. (tractor), open, three or four furrows, plain coulters, plain cast shares; silver cup and £4; £4; £3; £l: W. Allison (Drummond) 1 V. Cooney (Morven) 2 D. Doak (Rosewill) 3 W. Begg (Ashburton) 4 Best feering: D. Doak. Best finish: W. Allison. Straightest ploughing: E. Jarvis (Rosewill). Class G. (tractor), open, two furrows, plain coulters, plain cast shares; silver cup and £4; £4; £2/10/-; £l: B. Moore (Rosewill) 1 E. Gillum (Levels) 2 L. Begg (Timaru) 3 F. Clarke (Levels) 4 Best feering: B. Moore. Best finish: E. Gillum. Straightest ploughing: B. Moore. Rosewill challenge cup (best plain ploughing in district classes): F. King. Auctioneers’ and Woolbrokers’ challenge cup: A. Brown. Davey challenge cup (best coulter cut ploughing): K. Boyle. HORSE AND SPECIAL AWARDS Best three horse team: — W. Topman (Winchester) .... 1 J. Nicol (Rosewill) 2 Best four horse team:— A. J. Fraser (Rosewill) 1 J. P. Porter (Rosewill) 2 Best six horse team:— J. W. Topham (Seadown) .... 1 D. Grant (Elloughton Grange) 2 Best team (farmer holding 400 acres or under):— W. Topham 1 Best groomed three horse team:— W. Topham 1 Best groomed four horse team:— J. P. Porter 1 Best groomed six horse team:— J. W. Topham 1 Best decorated three or four horse team:— A. Oakley (Rakaia) 1 J. P. Porter 2 Best decorated six horse team:— J. W. Topham 1 D. Grant 2 Best harness on ground:— A. Oakley 1 J. P. Porter 2 Best harness in everyday use:— J. P. Porter 1 A. Fraser 2 S.P.C.A. prize, best cared for team (youth’s class): — A. Fraser 1 Oldest ploughman on ground:— H. Voss (Willowbridge)

Ploughman travelling longest distance: W. Allison (Drummond, Southland) DOG TRIAL

The prize for the youngest competitor (under 18) was won by W. Grant. A sheep guessing competition was won by Mrs J. T. Mangin (Methven) and John Bell (Levels) who each submitted the correct weight (160ilbs). PRIZES PRESENTED The success of the match was referred to by the president at the close of the day when the prizes were presented by the patroness (Mrs Wm. Grant). Mr Hide thanked the public for their wonderful response. The match had become to be a big affair and it was impossible for the committee to carry on without the support of a united community. It was a day when the old town v. country cry was forgotten and when both sections united to make the fixture one of the best of its kind in the Dominion. He referred to the assistance given to the funds by town and country donors, adding that the committee had hardly had a refusal, and he especially thanked those who had given cups for the match. Mr Grant was deserving of the committee’s gratitude for the use of his land. He had been a great help throughout the years and the committee would be lost if ever he turned them down. The committee were also fortunate in having the support of farmers who had lent teams and he thanked all who had helped in any way to bring the fixture to a successful conclusion. The great honour he felt at being asked to be associated with the function was acknowledged by Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., for Temuka, who said that the match was an event in the farmer’s year equal in importance to the October Show. When it was considered that only a few years ago three or four enthusiastic farmers laid the foundations of the ploughing match, all would agree that they had done yeoman service to South Canterbury. He felt sure that the match, which was one of the most important of its kind in the Dominion, would continue to attract high standard com-

petitors, and enjoy wid. public support. The prizes were then presented by Mrs Grant, who congratulated the winners on their success. Cheers were given for Mrs Grant, Mr Burnett, the president and secretary.

Open Class; silver cup and £2; £2/10/-; £1/10/-; £1; 10/-:— r M Wilson’s Fly .... 1 W F Ross’s Toby .... 2 R Fortune’s Mist .. .. 3 T. Watson’s ,Chev .. .. • • .. .. 4 R. M. Wilson’s Miss Mac .. .. .. 5 Novice Class; silver cup and £1/10/-; £1; 10/-; trophy:— E. Husband’s Dick 1 K Turner’s Dick .. .. .. .. .... 2 K. Turner’s Mag .... 3 H. Munro’s Peg .... 4