MATAU PLOUGHING MATCH.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 6, 13 August 1874, Page 3

MATAU PLOUGHING MATCH.

♦ • • The Matau annual ploughing match took place yesterday, in a paddock on the farm atlnverclutha (the property of Wm. Ferguson, Esq.), Inch Clutha. The previous night had been very hard frost, but during tbe day the sun shone ont very strong, and the weather was delightful. The consequence was that a very large number of the inhabitants of balclutha and the surrounding districts took advantage of the pleasant day and the match to have a day's outing. Amongst these we were glad to observe that a considerable number of 1 ladies graced the scene of the competition with theif presence, thus agreeably diversifying what otherwise would have bsen a somewhat monotonous crbwd. In consequence of the frost it was not possible to make so early a start as had been intended, and it was about 1 1 o'clock when the gun was fired, and the -whole of the teams were put iti motion. The feering for the double furrow ploughs had previously been cut by the single ploughs, and the whole of the breaks were very well executed. The paddock had lain seven years under grass. It bore ample evidence of last ploughing having been executed in a careless manner, find being yesterday crdss ploughed, the work did not present that even surfadeit otherwise would* have done. Beside?, the soil was stiff and tender, making it impossible to show very finely cut farrows. There were nine double and an equal number of single furrow ploughs on the ground, a number Considerably in excess of that of last year, and notwithstanding, the unfavorable elements referred to, the wdrk as a whole was executed in a very satisfactory manner. Indeed there was not a bad! ploughed allot* ment on the field, and some showed very superior work. We have never before seen co many double furrow ploughs turned out at any match, and these were the objects of great attraction, while the work executed by them was much admired. To ail appearance these implements will very shortly have the exclusive possession of the field, and that the single plough' will speedily be rciuced by them to the az me position as the scythe has been by tbe reaper. There were some very fine teams of horses on the field, and Mr. Macdonald deservedly secured the prizes for the best turn-out in class A., and also the three-horse teams. For the best harness in every day use, and also for the best kept harness, Mr. Warnock got the prizes. We may add his team were very superior animals, the well known entire " Farmer's Favorite " being one of them, and proving a very Bteady and staunch plough horse. " Taieri Lad " was also in the competition and performed his part with equal satisfaction. At the mid-day halt the judges and others were entertained to luncheon by Mr. Ferguson in his own house, wbifte the men were amply provided for. Mr. Townsend, of the Crown Hotel, dealt out refreshments upon the field, and was well patronised, although not a single instance of over indulgence occurred. The following were the entries : —

By half-past four o'clock the whole had finished their appointed t&k, the single ploughs one-third of an acre, and the double furrows double that quantity. The judges were then for some time engaged examining the ground, and seemed to huve some diff culty in arriving at their decisions. When announced, however, they seemed to be thoroughly approved of. Indeed, in the case of a considerable number of the prizes they only confirmed the decision at which the public had previously arrived. The judges were Messrs. Peter Wright, South Molyneux, James Duthie, Tokomairiro, and Alexander Moffat, Te Houka. We may add that the Committee were most attentive to their duties, that their whole arrangements had been very carefully entered into, and were carried out to the satisfaction of all concerned. We have to thank the Secretary for his courtesy and the trouble he took to facilitate our obtaining all necessary information. < A little past five o'clock the Secretary tread over the names of the prize-takers, : and, as a Hint to other Committees or Societies, we may mention that as each name was called out he stepped forward and the amount of his prize was handed to him. The iollowing is the