HALCOMBE PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19048, 27 June 1924, Page 7

HALCOMBE PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MATCH. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Ploughing matches do not sa a rule drive many people crazy with excitement, but the local function seldom fails to draw a good number of the rural population who are interested in the primary operation for inducing the generous old earth to yield its products that humanity may live. And though there is no unwelcome excitement attending the operation of ploughing, there is always a healthy interest displayed, and those of us who live in an agricultural district find joy in watching the splendid teams one sees at these matches, turning over the good, black earth. The weather was fair to medium on Wednesday when the Halcombe Association held its annual ploughing match. The heavy rain had made the paddock belonging to Mr. D. Managh very soft, and though not too wet for ploughing, spectators, of whom there were more than 'usual present, ran a chance of being bogged if they attempted to walk on the headlands towards the finish of the contests. Eleven teams lined up when the order was given to start. It had been hoped that more “stars’’ would have tried for the possession of the handsome challenge cup. Messrs King (Raocihi), Beard (Hastings) and Morton (Takapau), who have all three held the trophy for a year each, failed to put in an appearance, so the principal event, Class Al, which is confined to men who have won Class A contests and championships, was robbed of much of its interest. Mr. R. Burgess, of Marton, who won the trophy last year, did his best to make the cup his property, which it would have become had he won it twice in succession, but he was only able to get third, Mr. W. Keith, of Halcombe, being first. There were five entries in Class A, but only three in. Class B. Taken all round the work done was, in the opinion of the judges up to the standard of other years. Messrs Lobb and Sinclair judged the ploughing, and Mr. Hocken the horses. Mr. J. Rasmussen ’s sons turned out their father’s splendid bays in faultless style, and they won the prize for the' best fourhorse team. The following is the prize list:—• ‘

Class Al.—W. Keith (Halcombe) 1; R. Coleman (Marton) 2; R. Burgess (Marton) 3. Class A.—G. Burgess (Bonny Glen) 1; J. Fergusson (Halcombe) 2; C. Rasmussen (Halcombe) 3. H. Thompson (Takapau) and F. Rasmussen (Halcombe) also competed. Class B.—J. Oliver (Hawke’s Bay) 1; A. L. Peffers (Halcombe) 2; H. Rasmussen (Halcombe) 3. Best Crown and Finish in Class Al. —R. Coleman. Best Crown and Finish in Class A. —G. Burgess. Best Crown and Finish in Class B.— A. L. Peffers. Best Finish on Field.—G. Burgess. Straightest Ploughing.—W. Keith. Best Crown on Field.—R. Coleman. Best Four-horse Team.—J. Rasmussen 1, S. Grey 2, J. Rasmussen 3. Best Marc.—J. Rasmussen. Best Gelding.—J. Rasmussen. Sheep-weight Guessing.—Mr. Handysides. In the evening a social w r as held in the Halcombe Hall, and the committee of the Association are certainly to be congratulated on departing from the usual custom of holding a smoke concert. Not only was the usual inane and too often questionable conversation indulged in at smoke concerts absent, but the unedifying spectacle of seeing men and boys, at other times sober and respectable, suffering from the effects of bad whisky, was also cut out.

Mr. Page (the president) presented the prizes, and congratulated the winners. He thanked everyone who* had helped to make the meeting a success and expressed gratitude to firms and individuals, from places as far north as Wanganui, and as far south as Palmerston, for presenting prizes. Mr. Lees, of Feilding, brought out a little party of singers, who contributed to the enjoyment of the evening. Miss Cowdry recited and was heartily applauded. The centra of the hall was /reserved for dancers, the music being supplied by Mrs. Peffers, Mrs. 8. Bur|gess, Mrs. Woodcock, Messrs Bryant and others. The supper was arranged by lady relatives of the committee, and included Mesdames Peffers, W. McLennan, Morrison, W. Stewart, J. Managh, P. Rasmussen, and others, all of whom deserve the cordial thanks of the committee. Mr. A. L. Jeffers combined the offices of chairman and M.C., and carried out his duties excellently.