Page 7 Advertisements Column 3

Southland Times, Volume VII, Issue 523, 20 July 1866, Page 7

PRESBYTERY OF SOUTHLAND. The usual quarterly meeting of the Presbyteiy of Southland was held on Wednesday, the 24th inst-., at Riverton Present: Roys. Sfcobo avid Alexander, and James Clark, Moderator; Messrs John Ciunmiiiq-, and William Grant Elders. It was agreed to remit by the next mail to the Scottish Bible .Society the price of the case of Bible, which have been received; the various Deacons' Courts advancing the price of the quota allocated to them. A plan of a manse for Riverton was laid on the tables and approved of. A letter was read from the . Church Committee at Queenstown, desiring that steps should be taken to have a settled minister there as soon as possible, and stating that a sum of about £300 a year has been promised towards his salary. The Clerk was thereupon instructed to cominunic.te with the convenor of the Church Extension Committee, calling his attention to the spiritual destitution of the Lake District, and requesting that, in the event of any more preachers arriving from home, one of them be sent to Queenstown. A letter was also laid on the table from Rev. Mr Watt, Green Island, requesting, on behalf of the Presbytery, of Dunedin, that they be allowed to retain the services of Mr "Betfc for the three months for which he had been appointed to Southland. It was resolved to communicate with the Committee at Queenstown, and if Mr Bett's services were desired there, the Clerk was instructed to request that he should be sent there withoutdelay; but,if otherwise, the Presbytery of Dunedin should be at liberty to retain him. Mr Stouo made application for leave I of absence for three months during the ensuing spring. Leave was granted, on | the condition that Mr Stobo should find supply. The Presbytrey thereafter met in conference on the state religion within the bounds. Several members expressed their sorrow that so many children were growing up in the Province totally uneduj cated. It was resolved to memorialize the Government on the subject, and to urge upon them the need for taking immediate action. The Presbytery thereafter adjourned to meet at Invercargill on Wednesday, the 10th October, at noon. PLOUGHING MATCH AT LONG BUSH. At the request of a lar^e number of our country I friends we re-print the following account of the Long Bush Ploughiuj; Match, which was inadvertently omitted in our last European Summary : — The annual meeting of the Long Bush and Oreramika Ploughing Association took place on Tuesday, 29th Alay, at Woodlands, one oi 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 men 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 j the ploughing was not so showy as on the occasion of the last match, but was, all things 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 oii'ered for the best sets o harness ; but a double set by a Eutherglen make received ffcfljn the officers " honorable mention." i Messrs Morton, Sutton, and Anderson acted as judges. The competitors having formed into a circle, at 5 p.m., M 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. PRIZES. I Ist Prize — £5, or one of Grey's best ploughs, lat ploughman's option. Daniel M'Gowan, ploughman to Eobert Hamilton, Morton Mains. 2nd Prize— £4, Adam Drysdale, ploughman to D. Napier, Pleinington. 3rd Prize — £3. James M'Allister, ploughman to James Gall, Oteramika. 4th Prize — £2 10s, William Stevenson, ploughman to Bobert Macaulay, Matayra. sth Prize — £2, Adam Fleming, ploughman to Dugald Napier, Flemington. 6th Prize — £1 10s, J M'Spurren, ploughman to Mr Hall, Oteramika district. . ■ . „ 7th Prize— £i 4s, Alexander Christie. JUNIOR PRIZES. Ist Prize — £3, Mitchell, ploughman' to Robert Hamilton, Morton Mains 2nd Prize — £2, Thomas Dawson, son of George Dawson, Long Bush. 3rd Prize— £i, Milne, ploughman to Dugald | Napier, Flemington. Prize for the best break. One pair hames, given by David Readie Smith, Long Bush. D. M'Ewan, ploughman to Robert Hamilton, Morton Mains. Prize for the best kept harness and groomed horses. One pound given by the Society. Adam Drysdale, ploughman to Dngald Napier. Prize for the best pair of horses at regular work. A pair of backhands given by George Goodwdllie, Saddler, Invercargill, Adam Fleming, ploughman to Dugald Napier, Flemington. Mr Hamilton had provided refreshments fer 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 procediugs at Mr. M'lntosh's Half Way Bush,whichwere carried on in the best possible spirit. " Mine Host " was " all there " at six o'clock prompt, and a capital dinner provided, to which the guests did ample justice. The chair was occupied by Robert Hamilton, Esq., William Johnstone, Esq., M.P.C., acting as croupier. There were upwards of thirty gentlemen present, amongst others Messrs John Morton, James Gall, Swale (Secretary) Adam Brown ; Findley, Anderson, Sutton, Mitchell, D. Sinclair, A. Ross, C. A. Ross, Cowper, Lcask, 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 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