REAPER AND BINDER CONTEST AT ASHBURTON.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1852, 29 January 1880, Page 3

REAPER AND BINDER CONTEST AT ASHBURTON.

Committee —Messrs Hay T. Smith, J. Hunt, Mayo, E. Saunders, aud W. J. Siloock Judges—Messrs H. W. Parsons, P. B. Passmore, and T. Black. Heferee —Mr E. G. Wright. The following machines competed :—Wire binders—Osborne, two horses, driver Mr Grace ; Wood, three horses, driver Mr H. Hunt; McCormick, two horses, driver Mr W. H. Town. String binders—Wood, two horses, driver Mr Freeman ; Marsh (with Deoring binder), two horses, driver Mr O. S. Ellithorpe ; Johnston, two horses, driver Mr Wilson. The day was splendid and most suitable for the trial, which took place in some paddocks belonging to Mr Hay T. Smith, situated close to the town, nearly opposite Messrs Saunders Bro.’a mill. There was a large attendance of farmers, and the Ashburton Agricultural Association may congratulate themselves on a very successful trial. The committee had done their work well, and the ground was laid off admirably by Mr O. Pooka, of the firm of Fooks and Son. Mr George Jameson, the secretary of the Association, was, as usual, indefatigable in his efforts to make the gathering the success It was. The crop operated on was wheat, each machine being allotted two sections. The first trial was in a paddock of purple tuscan, averaging some fifty bushels per acre, and about sft. 3in. in height, one and a quarter acres being allotted to each machine. The second trial was in a field of Hunter’s white, of about equal yield, each machine cutting one and a half acres. Tne string binders were, of course, the centres of attraction. The Johnston string binder broke one of the arms when about half-way round the first lot, which delayed the finishing of the first section for some time. The machines finished in the following order - First patch—The Deering (string) finished in Ihr. 18min., Wood (string) finished in Ihr. 20min. ; Johnston (string), broke down, actual time occupied, Ihr. 16min.; McCormick (wire) finished in Ihr. ;Bmin ; Wood (wire) finished in Ihr. 17min. ; Osborne (wire) finished in Ihr. 23min. Second patch—Deering (string) finished in Ihr. 20min.; Wood (string) finished in Ihr. 26min.; Johnston (string) finished in Ihr. 29min. ; Wood (wire) finished in Ihr llmin. ; McCormick (wire) finished in Ihr. 12min,; Osborne (wire) finished in Ihr 14min, The machines had all finished shortly after 2 p.m., but it was more than half-past three before the judges announced their decision, which was as follows ;

String binders —Deering, Ist prize; Johnston, highly commended. Wire binders—McCormick, Ist prize. The work done by the Deering and Johnston twine binders was excellent, the Doering’s work being especially clean, but all the work done on the ground was good, and each machine had its own special admirers. The crop was a most suitable one for the machines to work in, and the greatest interest was manifested in the trial. Mr T. Quill had a booth on the ground, and provided a capital luncheon, which was well patronised. About 300 or 400 people were on the graund, amongst whom were many Christchurch residents, who came up to see the result of the trial.