THE NORTH OTAGO CHAMPION PLOUGING MATCH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1052, 3 September 1879, Page 2

THE NORTH OTAGO CHAMPION PLOUGING MATCH.

This annual event took place yesterday in Mr. M'Master's paddock, opposite the race-course. There were, at the close of the match, upwards of 400 persons present, amongst them being representatives from all the surrounding districts. The paddock could hardly have been more suitable for the purposes of a ploughiug match. It is large, and the land was in fair condition, with a good sole of cocksfoot grass, but the late rains had made it a little soft below, particularly for straight coulters. However, the only thing to bo regretted is that there were not twentyeight instead of fourteen competitors. There were eight entries in class A, and six entries in class B. As usual, the area to be ploughed was three-quarters of an acre, and the time allowed was five hours. Starting from the south end of the field, we encountered the competitors in class Aas follow J. Whyte, from the Taieri (Fowler plough), cornmmd badly, but he improved as his and if excellence solely lipon making a straight furrow and even work, he would doubtless have taken a prize. A. Clydesdale (Reid and Gray plough) seemed to have some difficulty in getting away, which led us to infer that his team and plough were new to him. However, ho became familiar with his implements towards the finish, and did really fair work on the whole. W. Craig (Reid and Gray plough) made rather better all-round work than Nos. 1 and 2, but if anything his work was a little slack. J. Allan (Reid and Gray plough) did excellent work in every respect, and from the commencement of the contest it seemed, to bo the general impression that if he did not tak(S the first prize, he would take the s<3ooii(J, G. White's work, performed with a Fowlep plough (similar to that used by No. showed too rouah face to rank hig l ' M' Stewart, with a Reid and Gray plo. J did his work a little crooked, but firm aiW even. George Marshall (Reid and Gray plough) was not in good form, and his plough seemed to be similarly afflicted. His ploughing was certainly not what ono was warranted in expecting from him, judging from his previous performances in the ploughing field. Mr. Smillie, jun., was the victor in Class A. This must be a matter for self-congratulation to him, as well as of surprise to those who were not aware of his ability as a ploughman. Only 19, he carried away laurels from the field which he had justly earned, and, although there were many old and experienced ploughmen amongst th© oon" testants, there seemed to be not the leaat jealousy on account of Mr, Smillia9 success. In Glass B (in which every contestant used a Reid and Gray plough), W. Cox made good everyday ploughing, but not such as to attract the favor able attention of the judges. H Fowler made a bad start. If it had no; been for this he would have ranked first or second, as his work was really good in the main. His plough, which had ciroulut coulters, was about the best th# paddock, and it was a pity that the waft was spoiled through inability to njake 3 good start. Hugh M'Donald's work wM uneven. A. Hall's performance wM excellent, and deserved some recognition. Robert Yallance did the first few round? as though under the impression that he was performing a contract, and the latter portiou of his work looked as though he had awakened to the solemn reality that he was one in a struggle for honor. Had he started well, no man in the field would have beaten him. James Don did good work, especially for a novice in a ploughing contest, for it must be acknowledged that to please judges of ploughing is an art not to be acquired solely by experience gained in ordinary every-day field wflfjf; The judges were i Messr§. Q-. Morton (Waiho), William Paul (Balmerston), ana Thomas Dick (Foxton). Horses and Harness: A. Balfour (Ngapara), Win. Gillespie (Qaniaru), and George Aikenhead (Awamoa). The announcement of tho decisions of the judges was received with applause, and the arrangements in connection with the match were perfect, and satisfactory in every respect.

PRIZE LIST. Class A—Open to All Comers: In prize, LlO ; 2nd do., L 8 ; 3rd do,, JjQ i W do., L 4 ; sth do,, L2. Ploughmen. Owners, W. Smillie, jun, W. Smillie, gen, Roitl & 4 Gray,.. 1 J. Allan J. &A. Dalgloish do 2 J. Whyte J. Forrester Fowler A William Craig William Craig lleida Gvay.^4 Charlei Whyte Charles Whyte Fowl* Highly commena A. Clydesdale A. M'Master Gruy.. 1 . H. Stewart H. Stewart do'" 1 George Marshall J.' &A. Dalgleish do • Class B—From wiixch Ist and M Prizetaicers are Excluded.—lst LIQ ; 2nd <fo, L 8; 3rd do, LG ; 4th dq, U i sth do, L2. Ploughmen. Owners. Mater. A.Hall Hall Brothers Reidi Gray... J J. Don A. Don do * R. Vallance William Smillie do H. Fowler H. Schluter do , Highly oominende< William Cox Win. Forrester Reid & " ' GrayH. M'Donald H. M 'Donald do EXTRA PRIZES. Best break in class A, meerschaum P'P 4 by Mr. Cagney, value 14s.—A. Clydesdale. Best break in class B, cruet stand, by Ogilvie, yalue 14s.—A. Efall, ' Best ins and outs in class At hat, by A" Gemmell,' value 10s 6d. —W. Smillie?

Ktftinsaad (»to in claaa B, hat, by Mr. TodtoSV value lo> 51—A. Hall. TWt fin Mfc in claw A, act two-horse trow, ky jif. ff. C. Fnunr, value LI la-—W. finish in class B» Albert chain, by bos tea, by J. Famfltao, value LI 108.—A. Clydesdale. Brtfe finish in field, plough cbafos, Sc., Jlesars. Finch St Co., value lo«-—W. harness in field.PP r J rM ?i r ' ggoJland, value 13i—H. M'Donald. Beat kept harness in every-dav nse. mounted back-banda, by Mcssra. Hodge and janta, value LI 10».—A. Clydesdale. Oldest bachelor in field, miscellaneous, by Mr. Falconer, value IS#.—Not decided, jian with largest family. 1 do* apple trees, gtemaon and Leigh, value LI 4s. —I»ot decided. , Youngest ploughman, pair of boot*. by Woffison and Sons, value LI.-—V. Smiliie. Oldest married plocghmap, a lamp, by jfesacs. Bailie and Humphrey, value Ll. Wat decided. . , t Best groomed horsea, pair trousers, by -Mr. (j, Lindsay, value LI Is.—Dalgleish Bro». . . , Best dressed horses, pan- trousers, by MeW. HaHenatein Bros., value LI Is.— Bafgteiah Bros. B«at team of horses, half-ton bran, by Anderson & Co., value L2 sa.—Dalgleish matched team, set back bands, by J. X Smith, value LI 10a.—J. Forrester. 'first finished prize-taker, oysters, by Mr. William Lcnnon, value ICte.—»). Don. Straightest ptowgfoing in field, bfofc, by Ranayne and Cottccll, value Ito id.—«*• Why lie- . , , Quietest man with hi* team, case of apples, fcy Mr. G. W. Draper, value 15s.—J. Allan.