PLOUGHING IN MOUNT BENGER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 276, 15 May 1873, Page 3

PLOUGHING IN MOUNT BENGER.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — You have no doubt received due information about the grand ploughing match we are to have in thi3 district, and perhaps feel inclined to congratulate our farmers on the opportunity thus afforded them of improving their ideas us to the culture of the soil. But there are two sides of every question ; and i strongly doubt whether the real farmers are likely to benefit much by a scheme originated by publicans and their cronies, and carried into effect rather for the sake of the "booth" than of any benefit to the agricultural interest. Notwithstanding all this, perhaps a certain limited support might be granted were matters arranged in a satisfactory manner ; but unfortunately the greed 1 have already referred to has again intefered. Moa Flat waa of course to be the scene of the match, and, as there are numerous English graas paddocks about there, a good display of skill was expected. Unfortunately these paddocks are In close proximity to a licensed house not belonging to a member of the Committee. This would never do, so a piece of unbroken ground, elegantly sprinkled with tussocks, wild Irishmen, and speargrass, was selected, all these productions being, as is well known, highly conducive to elegant and artistic ploughing. This extraordinary action has led to the withdrawal of every real ploughman from having anything to do with the "match," and it is extremely probable the only competitors on the ground on the eventful day will be fourlegged ones, namely, porkers of rooting proclivities. Although, lam sorry to say, the general feeling is that it would be far better to let the .Mt. Benger

Ploughing Match lapse, until better and more experienced hands undertake its management ; and that whatever funds have been collected — no very large sum I suspect — may very appropriately be handed over to the Tuapeka Hospital, an institution not supported by this district as it merits. Better throw it in the river than disgrace Mt. Benger by a miserable failure. -I remain, &c, Ploughboy. Mt. Benger, May 9.