HORORATA PLOUGHING MATCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1409, 2 September 1872, Page 3

HORORATA PLOUGHING MATCH.

Committee : J. Fountaino (chairman), James Gough, John Thorno, A. M'llraith, R. Maffey, James Thwaite, J. Prestige, and E. Derritt. The district ploughing competitions which commenced afc Kaiapoi and have been held afc almost every agricultural centre in tho province, wero brought to a close by the annual meet at the Hororata, on Friday last. Tho soasoi};-:has in every respect been a most sue-' j cessful one, — denoting a progressive spirit in the older districts,and adding more than one new match to the list of previous years. The good commencement made at Kaiapoi has been well supported elsewhere, and tho settlers of tho Hororata have made a successful wind up of the season's proceedings. It is true fchafc circumstances over whick the managing committee had no control prevented the match heing so good as anticipated, but still ifc was an improvement upon that of last year, both in entries and the general quality of the work done. A visit to the district also brought to light the fact fchafc in like degree as tho ploughing match keeps pace with tho improvement noted in those held in other portions of tho province, so docs the locality itself progress in equal ratio to most of the youthful agricultural centres now so rapidly rising into prominence on all hands. The prospect of an early completion of tho Malvern Hills tramway — which will pass within five or six miles of fche district — has given a considerable impetus to what was even before its advent a thriving locality and ere long the word " Hororata," now comparatively strango to our " dwellers in cities," will become as prominent in tho provincial annals as those which now occupy so much public attention. There is much fencing and moro ploughing now under process in the district, and though no Road Board exists from which to gain statistical particulars, it is very evident, with only a casual ride through the locality, thafc a very much larger area of new land is being brought under cultivation than in any {►revious year. To quote the words of a runlolder these settlers aro constantly being bothered about land by farmers, and they arc also boing compelled to narrowing their boundaries, whilst to show thafc the increase of agriculture is not diminishing the income of the runholders it may be stated thafc as land on runs is purchased from them by farmers so do the runholders break up and lay down their freehold portions to English grass, which not only enables them to run almost as many sheep, bufc also of a superior wool-grow-ing character. Seeing that this alteration "to suit tho times " is likewise one for which considerably more labour is required, the change that is taking place must be deemed a greafc public benefit, and indicative of substantial progress in the forward movement which should he the great aim in all young communities. The match on Friday was held in an English grassed paddock, formerly part of tho farm owned by Mr E. Derritt, of tho Hororata Hotel. The soil was rather light, but the surface of tho ground being level, and the locality central, . it was as a whole very well suitedto the purpose in hand. Tho weather, on which so much depends in these outlying district competitions, was not however nearly so favourable to the match. From daylight to dark heavy showers from the soufch-weafc,

accompanied by a chilling breeze, and varied only by an occasional glinip3e of sunshine, prevailed with most unpleasant persistency, and as the day previous to the match had been even still moro inclement, the entries were much less numerous than the committee had every reason to expect. On occasions of this kind entries are frequently made up to fche very moment of starting the teams, but so far from this being the case on Friday, there were nofc only no fresh entries in the morning, but many who had entered some days before did not put in an appearance. Every class in the match suffered in the latter respect, though the comforting reflection still remained tliat more teams started than in any previous year. The character of the work was also much better, nofc only in the Champion class, bufc also in thoso confined to the district, and if fche local men would but pay a little more attention to packing, they would soon show to advantage i against all comers. Nearly all of them showed [ a deficiency in this respect on Friday, although I it is bufc fair to say ifc was nofc so conspicuous as in former years. The attendance, like fche ' entries, suffered from the unpropitious state . of the elements, but those who did show up displayed great interest, in ploughing. Mr | E. Derritt had a refreshment stand on the ' ground, and notwithstanding the low state of fche temperature, tho liquids, whilst being generally used, were not abused. The ploughing commenced afc 10 a.m. and terminated at 3 p.m., the men ploughing under the same conditions as generally obsorved throughout the province. The following aro tho entries : — Class I—Single1 — Single Furrows. (All-comers.) Judges: J. Boag, Ellesmere; J. T. Ford, Riccarton ; and J. Wright, Selwyn. Ploughman. Owner. Maker. W. Ladbrooke W. Ladbrooke Blyth G. Ladbrooke — Ladbrooke, sen. Blyth J. Pannetfc J. Pannefcfc Blyth Class 2 — SinOle Furrows". (District only.) Judges : J. Boag, Ellesmere ; W. Orr, Hawkins ; J. Wright, Selwyn. T. Piercy Hon. J. Hall Hornsby W. Stacey W. Stacey Keetley J. Thompson E. Derritt Hornsby Jas. Gray J. Gray Hornsby W. Fairbairn W. Fairbairn Hornsby J. Napier J. Napier Blyfch R. Fairbairn R. Fairbairn Blyfch J. Milne W. Ollivcr Hornsby Class 3 — Single Furrows. ! (District Boys.) i Judges : Same as in previous class. A. Gray W. Ollivor Hornsby W. Prestidgo J. Prestidge Thorno H. Davis R. Maffey Thorno Class I—Double1 — Double Furrows. (District only.) Judges : Same as in previous class. T. Rudd J. Rudd Duncan J. Hartnall J. Hartnall Hornsby In the Champion, or All-comers, class, fche work done was remarkably good for the ground, and so equal were W. Ladbrooke and Pannefcfc fchafc opinion was very divided both amongst fche spectators and the judges. The latter wero a very long , time in deciding between the two, and even when they did givo in their award ifc was nofc a unanimous one. Ladbrooke's line was a little out, bufc his fiering was very equal and leffc a splendid seed bed. His general work was also clean cut, square, and very well laid over, being firmer than his ploughing afc the Selwyn. His finish was straighter than his start, and with the exception of the last green furrow being a trifle too heavy, was very good. Pannefct's line was as near perfection as ifc was possible fco be, but his fiering, though quite as equally laid as Ladbrooke's, was a trifle too high. His general work was nofc quite so clean cut as Ladbrooke's, nor quite so well laid over, just a trifle too much of the face of each furrow being visible. Thoro was, however, greafc solidity, and his finish was better than Ladbrooko's. On fcho whole, therefore, wo must consider Pannett's work aa worthy of the first place awarded to it. G. Ladbrooke's line, liko his brother's, was nofc all fchafc could be desired, bufc his fiering, though a trifle cramped, was very creditable. His general work was square, and cut with a good angle, but though firm to the tread, showed a little moro grass than desirable. He improved his line towards the finish, which, notwithstanding that his last groen furrow was a little too heavy, was a good one. Considering that there were only three competitors, tha comruitteo did nofc intend to give three prizes, but G. Ladbrooke's work being so very creditable to him, they decided, and we think very justly so, to give him an extra prize of £2. In Class 2, single furrows, Piercy first claims attention. His line was nofc good, and his fiering, though of fair merit, was nofc so equally laid as ifc ought to have been. His general work was flat, and his finish vory bad. W. Stacey made a fair line bufc a crowded fiering. His general work, though creditably firm to the tread, was rather long in the back. Ho made a moderate finish. Thompson is an old man, we should say quite sixty years of age, and shewed more pluck than discretion to enter into competition against so many youthful opponents ; though ho could no doubt plough well in his day, ho was unequal to the task before him on this occasion. Ifc must bo admitted, however, that for his ago he acquitted himself creditably. Gray, who is also getting up in years, displayed no littlo spirit in competing, and ifc ia much to his credit thafc he passed through the ordeal so well as ho did, beating many who wero vory much younger than himself. His lino was moderate, bufc his fiering, though well cut, was rather close and unequal. His ploughing generally was very fairly packed with a moderate angle, and his finish, wifch the exception of the last green furrow being too heavy and flat, was creditable. Fairbairn's line was indifferent, and his fiering was much too close, bufc his general work was much better packed than any of that previously noticed, whilst he also showed a fair angle.

His finish} was straighter than his Starßand' was very- creditable; the mould furrow only being a trrSe too flat. Napier's line wos- a little out, but his fiering was more equally, laid than any of fche others, being in fact very creditable. His general ploughing was very solid and square, with a fair angle, bufc his finish, besides- tho last green furrow being heavy, was a little too wide. Miln, who had' the worst; piece of ground in the paddock, acquitted himself very creditably under the circumstances. His line was not of tho best, but his fiering, though a trifle high, was very equal, whilst his general ploughing was well cut, square, and creditably solid. His line at the finish was much better than at the starting, and the finish itself as a whole was not bad. In the Boys' class, A. Gray made a moderate line, and very creditable fiering. His general work was also very firm for a boy, wagwell cut, und possessed a good angle. His finish was, however, a little out, the mould f urrow being taken oufc somewhat too close to the last green furrow bufc one. Prestidgo had a better line, but his fiering was thin and crowded, while his general work showed fchafc a little more attention was required to packing. He took first prize last; year, and we were informed that he broke his coulter a few days before the match, whicli, not being able to replace it with agood one, accounted for the falling-off in his work. His finish was decidedly better thare Gray's. Davis mado a moderate line, but his fiering was thin and crowded. The body of his ploughing was very creditable for a boy, and if his finish had been a little narrower ho would have come out very well. In the Double-Furrow class — the first timo ono had been included in the programme — the Vork^generally showed thafc the implements, are comparatively new in the district. Rudd 'made a^cfair line and fiering, but his general wdrkv^as rather flat, and his finish was nofc of ,tfie best. Hartnall showed tlio want of practice very much. Thero woro four other entries in this class, but none of them put in an appearance. The following is fche prize list : — Class I—Single1 — Single Furrows. First prize, £7 — J. Pannett. Second prize, £3 — W. Ladbrooke. Third prize, £2 — G. Ladbrooke. Class 2 — Single Furrows. First prize, £7 — James Napier. Second prize, £s—John5 — John Miln. Third prize, £4 — W. Fairbairn. Fourth prize, £2 — W. Stacey. Fifth prize, £I—James1 — James Gray. Class 3 — Single Furrows. First prize, £3 — A. Gray. Second prize, £2— H. Davis. Third prize, £I— AY. Prestidge. Class I—Double1 — Double Furrows. First prize, £6 — Thoa. Rudd. Second prize, £I—Hartnall.1 — Hartnall. Extra Prizes. Best fiering in the Boys' class, prize a, Bridle, given by Mr Peat, Selwyn — A. Gray. Best finish in the Men's class, prize a pair of Blinkers, given by Mr C. S. Howell, Christchurch — James Napier. The usual dinner was held in the evening at Mr Rogers' Flour Mill, where Mr Derritt, of the Hororata Hotel, laid a very good spread. Mr J. D. Enys presided, and there was a large company. The usual loyal patriotic and conventional toasts were clrunk, and being interspersed with some excellent songs, a pleasant evening was spent.