MARTON.

Wanganui Herald, Volume VI, Issue 1902, 20 September 1873, Page 2

MARTON.

From our own correspondent,

Septemer 19tli, 1873. The sale of the effects of the late MrD. Collins came off yesterday. Though the weather was most inclement, there was a large attendance of buyers, many from a considerable distance. The auctioneer, Mr. Coleraan, ought to be well satisfied with the prices obtained for the cattle and horses, some of which went at a high figure.

The Agent of the National Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Mr W. J. Morrison, has for the last few days been canvassing this district, and taking into consideration the short time he has been able to devote to that purpose, and the late very rough weather, he has met with great success. Eleven hundred shares have been taken up, 650 of which goes to Marton. There is [every prospect of the Company doing a large business in this district, as soon as it gets into full working order. Had Mr Morrison more time at his disposal, a much greater number of shares would doubtless have been taken up. Mr H. M. Brewer of this place, has been appointed Resident Agent for the Rangitikei District. If the result of the late land and live stock sales here, and the amount of money offered for investment in the above mentioned speculation, together with the greatly increased number of Life Insurance policies lately taken •up, are signs of the times ; things are not so bad as some people try to make out, and the season is advancing when farmers and others 4 may hope to participate in goodly returns.

The ploughing' match, in which for some time past great interest has been taken, came off to-day in one of Mr Slight's paddocks. Though the weather could not be pronounced " all that could be desired " a cold south-easterly breeze prevailing:— still it was sufficiently fine to induce a great number of people to visit the scene of action. Fourteen ploughs started at ten o'clock, and continued turning' over the furrows, many in a most artistic style, until about three. Two or three allotments in particular attracted the attention of those most learned in the art, the ploughing' of each of these portions of course having its own adherents. The decision was left to three impartial and first class judges; and though possible to disappoint some, the awards must have been generally felt to have been just. The following are the names of those who obtained prizes : —lst Class, Ist prize, Gray plough, W. McDougal. 2nd prize, Gray plough, W. Andrews. 3rd prize, Seller plough, Geo. Slight. 4th prize, Tinnay, Ballarat plough, A. Champion. 2nd Class, Ist prize, Gray plough, It. Johnston. 2nd prize Gray plough, It. E. Johnston, 3rd prize, Gray plough, 11. Henderson. 4th prize , Gray plough, T. Trice. 3rd Class. Only two competitors—decided not.to give first prize. 2nd prize, Seller plough, Joseph Champion. 3rd prize, Gray plough, D. Harper. Best crown, W. McDougal; Do best finish, best outs and ins, G. Slight. Best ploughing in shortest time, A. Hill. , Hest pair plough-horses, A. Ingram. Best kept harness, T. Trice. Best harness, A. Champion. Best kept harnsss, It. E. Johnston. Judges of horses: J. Walker, and D. Frazer. Judges of harness: It. McLean, and W. Ritchie.

After so much ruin as lias fallen within the last few days, the ground was bound to be_ somewhat too wet, otherwise it wns very suitable for the purpose. Some disappointment was felt at the nun-appearance of your townsman, Oapt. Low, who had challenged Mr S. Ingram of this place. I hear absence was unavoidable, so that JVlr Ingrain won the mutch in a very easy but inglorious manner, and Capt. Low "will have the pleasure of paying for a dinner for twelve.