Local Intelligence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XI, Issue 691, 22 June 1859, Page 4

Local Intelligence.

A piougning maien was neia on a nne piece 01 native grass land on Mr. McQueen's farm, at Ellesmere S'ation, near thf lal; e,~ on Friday; the 17th inst. Although the day appeared .drizzling in the morning, if cleared off towards 'midday; and bullock teams, to the number of nine and- one horse team assembled on the ground at' the'appointed hour of starting, viz., ten o'clock. "There were five prizes b"e given, £6 the'highest down tq ; £2tlie lowest^ The judges selected for the\ocea.siqn \yere Messrs. Marshrria'n, Miln, and' Guild, who .awarded the) prizes as follows :—lst prize, horse team, plough held by James Williams |.-2nd pvizej"Mr. Manson's team, plough held by Jacob Street; 3rd prize, My. Jahies/Smith's'team> plough held by himself; 4th prize'/'jyCrs/.Gebbie's team,\plo\igh,' h6ld"by John -G-ebbie; 6th prize, Mi". John Dyer's^ team, plough held by "TiTiSself.""] E?ery' one; appeared satisfied with tl*e decision," and." "rqove'd off. .the....ground resblyed'totry 'their " caiiny tands" "at some future^ day.l; Notwithstanding the-'unfavourable'''state of the weather, 1 there were a 'goodly nunibqi' of spectators from various.parts of the peninsula present, whomi MivM'cQueen entertained in his usual hospitable style. The promoters of the match deserve great" credit for the' arrangements made, and the way they were carried-out; and the work was very welldone,considermg that alavge numberof thecompetitors were young hands and had never seen anything of the hind before. It is to be hoped that this is only the commencement of attention to so deserving an object;in the agriculture of this part of the province. ...■-.•.... 'On Saturday Elaer's Canine, and Equine Com-pany-gave an' afternoon performance in Christchurch for the convenience of children and persons residiug out of town.. Considering the -unfavourable state of the weather, the attendance was good, and notwithstanding the disadvantage under, which the compaivy laboured of performing,by daylight, the spectators, seemed well satisfied with the aiuuseinput...provided. On Wednesday; there..will ty3 another daylidht performance, which will have (or Indies and children the further -advantage of 'tnknu? place, in tho. ;Town ,Y\ .-ill,where spectators will b? enabled .to witness-, the •.performance- with . m«l' n more'comiiii'b.thim.coul.d be ailqrde,d at this seas»i» of the.yi'arjn the tliin canvas covering vn&w wluC' l the .exhibitions.have, heretofore, taken, place