CHAMPION PLOUGHING MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 84, 20 August 1868, Page 2

CHAMPION PLOUGHING MATCH.

The competition for the prnvinciil championship in ploughing, took place at Aron liead, to-iay, but we are precluded by the Into termination from giving the rvsult. From its first announcement tho mat<>h coin<l \ lirgo amount of excitement anvuust tho firming community, ami the fact ot* atl the district champions being entered, nisi) evoked a responsive feeling of interest amongst the general public. A d unper »«i howewr unfortunately thrown ufon the latter by the unfavourable weather, and not only prevented a large number from visiting the ground intbo aftornor.n, but caused those who hal assembled in tho morning to beat a hasty retreat shortly nftcr noon. With tho farmer tho attendant result* were equally nnplemnt, hit their interest vra» not to bo easily negatived, nnd they held manfully to the ground, criticUinj; tho work as it progressed, with an occasional ■enroll for shelter. The land operated upon was part of Mr Hill's farm, and ah inn on tho Great south rwd, near tho Racecourse Inn. Tho anil had not been tur ned for upward* of ».*venteen years, and consequently cut rather short and brittle, besides making the »ork muclt hoarier. As n test of steadiness and command of hontcj and plough, a better plot could scarcely, however, have been found, whilst ita lord and uniform quality rendered tho chances of tho competitor* of almost perfect equality. Although the work had not progressed far enough up to the time of our express leaving fora fair opinion of the merits of the men being formed, yet there wa« sufficient soil turned to ah )w that the award ot the lint prlzo would bo a difficult task, and tint the northern and southern represents* tatlves were, in racing parlance, v neck and neck." All the work appeared to be fully op to tho average and tho encomloma piased upon itwercununimouslyof a very satisfactory nature. The teams, were worthy of the event thuy wore taking part in, and undoubtedly the fincstlot of horses we have everseen at'a similar meeting. They worked steadily and well, and no successful -competitor can Attach blame to any of them for his failure. A refreshment booth was located on the ground, and '• Aunt Sally " was also present, but her gay attird and the eulogiums of her owner fulled to attract anything like payable patron* ago. The ploughing commenced at ten o'clock, but l).»ilcy waa behind time, and having to hurry to mnko up for it, produced bad work, which caused him to withdraw, after the first few furrow*. With this exception, nil tho men persevered in their work. The following is a torn pie to list of the entries and the awards will appear in our issuo of to« morrow ; — Name of Maker of Ploughmen. District. Plough. John Sylvester Springston Watson, of Lincoln road O. Rodgora Templeton llornsby (/has. Hmith Kaiapoi Keetley (.ico, Mussen Kangiora Horn 'by J. Carboy Prebbleton Barrowman W, Matthews Prebbleton Blythe. Prebbleton 0. Taylor Selwyn llorn*by Itobt. Matjson Riccarton Hormby cjiimuol Wood I^eston Hornsby John Pannctt Springaton. Blythe, l»r«'bl)leton O. Stevens Leeston ITornsby ,J H. I lev wood Head of (he Hornsby Bay ,\V, Judson Woodend Hornsby .John Hnrclay Fcndalltown Birrowman Thos, Smith nead of the Barrowman Bay John Duff • Rangmra Kectley Thos. Pannott Springston Cellars Joseph Mann Avonhead Kectley Wm. Gray Leeston llornshy |W. C. Ladbrook Templeton llorn«by Jno. Bruco Templeton Hornsby John Scoon Itnngiora Keetley i'hoj. Stokes Prebbleton Blytho. l*rebbleton W. MAddisoti Templeton Ilornsby ,fuß. Dixon Ashley llornshy W. Plaskct Kniapoi Keetley W. Builey Sandhills Homsby