PLOUGHING MATCH AT HAMPDEN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume III, Issue 717, 27 July 1878, Page 2

PLOUGHING MATCH AT HAMPDEN.

(BY OUR SPECIAL UK POUTER.) The Hampden ploughing match took place yesterday in Mr. M'Kerrow's paddock, and was a great success, both as regards the teams and tho ability of the ploughmen. About 200 persons were present. The competitors were not so numerous as might have been expected, nor was the attendance of spectators large ; but the teams were good, the competitors were able, and the spectators hailed from far and near. Had additional publicity been given, without doubt the attendance would have been larger ; but, notwithstanding the paucity of attendance, there ; was an amount of enthusiasm pervading ; the assemblage which is invariably the I outcome of competition. The following are the results : •Tudtres. —Messrs. J. Gcmniell (Maheno), Lindsay (Shag Valley), Coutts (Pleasant Valley). Glass A.. Ist prize, L 5; 2nd, L 3 ; 3rd, L2 ; 4th. LI 10s. Arch. Gillies'(Reid and Gray) 1 Mian MiveiTow (Raid and Gray) ... 2 John M'Allen (Reid and Gray) ... ... S James Evans (wooden plough, local make) 4 Best break—A. Gillies. Best finish—A. Gillies. Bi'St outs and ins--MAllen. Best finish for reaping machine—M'Allen. Best kept, harness—A. Gillies. Beat team on the gr.mnd—A. Gillie?. Class B. (Double-furrow Ploughs). Istpriz-. Lft; 2nd, L 4; 3rd, L 3. John Cockerell (Reid and Gray) ... ... 1 William Cague (Reid and Gray) 2 8. Cague (Reid and Gray) 3 James I .'unbar (Douglas, Hampden) ... 0 W. M'Auly (Reid and Gray) _ <i Best finish —Si. Cague, set swingle-trees. Best outs and ins—M'Auly, 2 doz. poplars. Best finish for reaping machine—M'AlVen. Hest kept harness—S. Cague. Best every-day ploughing—M'Auly, LI I=., give:i by Mr. Culling-Best-looking single man—James Dr.nbar ; judge, Miss Prain, Best-looking married man—Jame? Evans ; judge, Mrs. Cochrane.

THIS DINNER. Upwards of seventy person i sat down to the dinner provided at the Hampden Hotel by the Committee ; Mv. G. Munn occupied the ehavi> and Mr. Andrew M'Kerrow the- vicc-cheir. In the first toast, "The Qieen' o."id the' Royal Family," the Chai-jnan said that he ,was pleased to see sr, many present, and he hoped that it Wjuld not_be the last tune that they wcvdd meet'' on a similar They ware all Britishers, whether Scotch, Irish. >r English, and he hoped that they woull do full honor to tins toast '"The Governor a?d Parliament," by the Chairman. Mr. Murcott, in 'esponding, said that he was sorry that t'iere was not a member of Parliament to rdieve him of his task, but he must say tiat the present Government were the be.it that New Zealand had ever had. • WJiea they w ; ere in Opposition it was ackriow'.ftdged that its members possessed both enc.qy and ability, two qualities whic'n they were now utilising. " Army,' Navy, anqVolunteers," proposed by the vice-Chairman ; Mr. Mur-,

cotfc, who. was called upon to respond sai,d that, he was pleased to learn that w« were likely to have continuous peace although if it had been necessary to call out the Volunteers, particularly tlio.se of Hampden, they would have been well prepared to do their duty. (Song, by Mr. Jas. Gennnill). "The Hampden Ploughing Matches," by the vice-Chairman. Ho said that the matches had been dead for several years ; and, considering this circumstance the proceedings of the day had been satisfactory. He was glad to think that today's match was likely to be only the first of a new series. Mr. Culling, whoso name was coupled with the toast, said " that lie was surprised to be called upon to respond to the toast. He had had no thing to do with the match, and did not eveu approve of them, as they were carried out. A man should not be allowed to take two days to prepare his irons any more for a ploughing match than for going to work in his own held. (Song —Mr. Jones).

"The Judges ; coupled with the name of Mr. Coutts," by the Chairman, who said that it was their duty to thank them for what they had done. With regard to the match, if more publicity had been given, the match would have been a greater success, dthough the committee. might congratui, e themselves on what, they had accomplished. He disagreed with those who said that ploughing matches were not useful, as they create cumulation and bring people together. Mr. Coutts, in responding, said that he thought the all'air very successful, but expected to see more present. A club should be formed in the district for the purpose of instituting an annual ploughing match. In Shag Valley they were equally backward. Hampden was capable of di,;;ng it. A traveller going through Blueskin would think it a wretched looking place ; but it was plucky, and held an annual show and ploughing match. Mr. Geninell, in responding to the last toast said that he was glad to be present at tho resurrection of the dead. He disagreed with the opinions of those old fogies who said that matches only benelitted i>longliinen. It was a mistake. They were good for all. Makai's of ploughs, for instance, could seu whoro defects existed, and rectify them i\lr. Lindsay also responded.

" Thu Successful Competitors," by TVIr. \V. M'ureott, coupled with the name of Air. Cockerill. The proposer said, that the Hampden ploughing matches had Magged from want of organisation.. Thoy had no society to help them, but Pahucruton had.

Mr. Cockerill said that ho was not in the habit of ploughing, arid that ho ploughed for the first time in his life at the last Palmerston match, where he afto took a prize.

Ml-. Gillies said that hu was proud to ho a successful competitor, although there was not much glory attached to H;. To speak his mind, ho did not lay liiinsolf out to do much, because there was not much to do.

The Unsuccessful. Competitors w;?.s coupled with the kuiiu of Mr. Janus Durham, who said, in responding, that he J uo'iild scarcely be considered an uiisuccc;mful competitor, because ho had been adjudged the prim; by a lady for being the. best looking bachelor amongst the competitors. He said he had not only received a prize, but lie had kissed the donor. " Tin- Agricultural and Pastoral intoivsU," by Mr. Gemmill. Ho had ahvays wondered why Otepopo and llau-pden had neither exhibition, nor ploughing match of their own. He buliovjd that a society would be as successful. as any similar institution, and recommended that steps should bo taken to this end. The Commercial Interests, by Mr. Jones, responded to by Mr. Dunbar. " The Press," coupled with the nrAmes of Messrs. Smith and Jones. Mr. £jmit>h responded in an appropriate speech.

Soii.Lt —Mr. Lawson. ■' The Ladies," by Mr. H. T. M urcott. Mr. Allan M'Kerrow vespoudo d in iv highly humorous and raoy speech. "The Visitors," coupled with tho name of Mr. T. Hundcvson, by Mr. Mnrcol-t. Mr. Henderson, in rosp'jnding, said that 'hi was pleased with what he had seen that day. I*j paid to see what others were cloiii'g. Ground I must bo wcil ploughed ti> got ;\ good eroj >. Somo •>f t'.iu ground ploughed Unit day would produce as good a crop as an;/ in tho Hampden district. He would i isle thoso >■. ho doubted vlie utility of {iloughing matches why, if there is an imp rovomciit • i be made, n shiinkl not be n lado as a 'aiior imuro ves the cut of a coat. PloughMen shou'jd learn 10 make / ;ood seed furrow. Ho had luurd a grca t deal said .bout v: ork being too high ciii, but, not-vitiis'-'Aiiding liigli cut, if th/o sood was pror.c.-ly covered, in good ground the ..•ps'ilt would be favorable. "The Health of tlie H< jst," by tho Cnairuian. Mr. Couper, in respond ing, thanked thoso present for tho kin.d manner in viiieh they had drank hi f, health. Ho aad endeavored to please them, and ho was gratiiied that his etf'n fs had not been in vain. He hoped that lie would always lie able to please them.

This toasts of "The Chairman and Vice-Chairman was the a. diunk, and suitably responded to. The proceedings w aro enlivened by the interspersiou of umt.ical honors throughout the projframui'i. and after a little a klitionnl convivia iity, a most profitable and pleasantly-spe at day was brought to a close.