PLOUGHING MATCH.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 272, 1 June 1866, Page 2

PLOUGHING MATCH.

The annual meeting of the Long Bush and Oteramika Ploughing Association took place on Tuesday, at Woodlands, one of the company's stations, and proved a complete success. Owing to the fineness of the day, there was a large attendance, and the greatest interest was taken in the proceedings. The attendance of visitors, was larger than on previous occasions, and during the day, a number of ladies graced the ! meeting with their presence. This was very flattering, considering the state of the roads which as every one knows are bad beyond description. The ground chosen was on the slope of a piece of high lying ground, and which had not been previously turned over. Twenty-nine ploughs started at the hour fixed, 8.30 a.m., and the work was got through shortly before 5 p.m. The soil proved to be stiff and dry, adding much to the labor of both and ; horses, and causing the match to be rather protracted, one or two of the competitors having scarcely completed their ! task when the light began to fail. It | was generally admitted that the plough- ' ing w r as not so showy as on the occasion of the last match, but was, all • tilings considered, quite up to the mark. The show of horses was really splendid, and would with difficulty be surpassed anywhere. Most of the teams were evidently of Clydesdale breed, and had received, most careful tending. A prize had been offered for the best groomed horses, and no effort seemed to have been spared to make a good appearance, and the trappings were generally in good taste. No prize had been offered for the best sets ©f harness ; but a double set by a Eutherglen maker received from the officers " honorable mention." Messrs Morton. Sutton, and Anderson acted as judges. The competitors having formed into a circle, at 5 p.m. Mr Swale, the hon. Secretary, reported the decisions of the Judges. Each name, as read out, was received with great cheering, and generally with some good humored banter. PEIZES. lst Prize — £5, or one of G-rey's best ploughs, at ploughman's option. Daniel M'Gowan, ploughman to Eobert Hamilton, Morton Mains. 2nd Prize — £4, Adam Drysdale, ploughman to D. Napier, Flemington. 3rd Prize — £3, James M'Allister, ploughman to James G-all, Oteramika. 4th Prize — £2 10s, William Stevenson; ploughman to Eobert Macauly, Mataura. sth Prize — £2, Adam Fleming, ploughman to Dugald Napier, Flemington. 6th Prize— £l 10s, J. M'Spurren, ploughman to Mr Hall, Oteramika district. 7th Prize — £1 ss, Alexander Christie. JTJNIOE PEIZES lst Prize — £3, Mitchell^ ploughman to Eobert Hamilton, Morton Mains. 2nd Prize — £2, Thomas Dawson, son of Greorge Dawson, Long Bush. 3rd Prize — £1, Milue, ploughman to Dugald Napier, Flemington. Prize for the best break, D. M'Ewan, ploughman to Eobert Hamilton, Morton Mains. Prize for the best groomed horses, Adam Drysdale, ploughman to Dugald Napier. Prize for the best pair of horses at regular work, Adam Fleming, ploughman to Dugald Napier, Flemington. Mr. Hamilton had provided refreshments for his numerous friends, and two public refreshment tents were erected on the ground. ' _, We have pleasure in stating that the greatest sobriety prevailed, Our space we regret, will not admit of our giving more than a mere passing notice of the evening's- proceedings at Mr. M'lntosh' s Half Way Bush, which were carried in the best possible' spirit. " Mine Host" was " all there" at six o'clock prompt, and had a capital dinner provided, to which the guests did ample, justice. The chair was occupied by Eobert Hamilton, Esq., William Johnstone, Esq., M.P. Cj acting as croupier. There were upwards of thirty gentlemen present, amongst others Messrs. John _j£ortioaw James CfoUI, .. gwale- (SeQrfr. j

derson, Sutton, Mitchell, D. Sinclair, A. Eoss, C. A. Eoss, Cowper, Leask, Hall, Cochrane, Mair, Granger, &c. The cloth having been removed, and the usual; loyal and patriotic toasts disposed of,... the Chairman in a short hearty speech, proposed the toast of the evening, " Prosperity v to the Long Bush and Oteramika Ploughing Association," and called on Mr. Mitchell (Morton Mains) to reply. The toast was drank with enthusiasm. Mr. Mitchell, (an unsuccessful competitor . with a grievance) made a characteristic reply. He reviewed, amidst great mirth, the day's proceedings, expressed his eintire satisfaction, with everything, with one solitary exception. The judges had done their duty admirably, but " in the moonlight" had mistaken Mr. Napier's team for his, aud given the prize to the wrong man. But they had done all men could do — "in the moonlight." Numerous toasts followed, including " the Judges,'*"" the successful 3 ' and " unsuccessful" competitors, " The squatting and commercial interests," " The Committee of Management," &c, &c. The speeches were of the best description, and full of good humored banter and local allusions. Numerous excellent songs were sung, and the; evening passed most pleasantly.