LONG BUSH PLOUGHING MATCH.

Southland Times, Issue 684, 17 June 1867, Page 3

LONG BUSH PLOUGHING MATCH.

This interesting competition came off on Friday, at the farm of Mr. Hugh M'lntosh, situated a short distance from the "Waihopai Hotel, (Baggots.") The morning opened with several showers of rain, but the day turned out fine beyond expectation. The spot chosen, although rather rough ground, gave very general satisfaction, on account of its central position. Fifteen ploughs turned out, and although a much smaller number than heretofore, was considered satisfactory, as many of the settlers had been too busy of late to practice for the prizes. The work was the admiration of all present, and probably equalled, on the average, any field ploughed on a similar occasion at home. The first prize-man's finish of his -n ork was remarkably clean and equal. The judges (Messrs. Fleming, Spence, and Taylor) gained golden opinions for their impartiality, and the awards gave general satisfaction. The prizes were as follows : — Ist Prize, L 6. — Adam Drysdale, plough- j man to Mr. Napier, Flemington. # \ 2nd Prize, L5. — : Andrew Christie, (Owner.) 3rd Prize, L4. — James M'Millan, ploughman to Mr. Brown, "Woodlands. 4th Prize, L 3 10s. — John Macalister, ploughman to Mr James Gall, Oteramika. sth Prize, L 2. — Henry Dixon, ploughman, to Mr Robert Hamilton, Morton Mains. Jtiniob Class. ' • ' " Ist Prize, L2.—W. Mitchell, ploughman to Mr Robert Hamilton, Morton Mains. 2nd Prize, — Fleming, (Mr Fleming, senior, owner.) Best pair Horses, Prize L2 — Mr Napier, Flenrington. 2nd Prize, Ll.— Mr R; Hamilton, Morton Mains, Special Prize by Mr Goodwillie. Best Break and Finish. — A. Drysdale ; prize, two very handsome Headstalls. Special Prize by Mr Gellatly- best groomed Horses. — D..Milne ; prize, Collar and Hames. During the afternoon there were probably upwards of thwe ironi^a specta*

tors on the ground. Among those present who appeared to take a lively interest in the competition were Messrs R. Hamilton, John Morton^ "Win. Cochran, Thomas Barclay, John Kingsland, John Mitchell, W. B. Scandrett, ... J. D. Hayes, . James Q-all, G. Goodwillie, and other gentlemen whose names 1 we were" unable to obtain. Great credit is due to the committee for their, excellent arrangements, and to the Hon. Sec, "Mr. T. Swale, for his obliging manner, and information to .the. reporter. In.the evening a public dinner to celebrate the event took place at Host Baggott's. r Between forty and fifty gentlemen were present; and after due justice had been done to the good- things • provided, the chairman, Mr. Johhstone, M.P.C. proposed the usual' loyal and patriotic toasts, which were heartily responded to byttiecompany, then followed" His Honor the Superintendent and the Provincial Council" coupled with the name of Mr. Swale, who, in reply, stated that the Council had some opprobrium thrown upon it by its recent action. He was himself a thorough .Railway-, -man,. ---but the late Government had so crude a measure brought before them, that he did not support it. The, Chairman, in proposing the toast of the evening, " Success to the Long Bush Ploughing 1 Association," observed that the name appeared too local ; neither the One Tree Point ' District, the Myross and Roslin District, or the Long Bush, could get;. up a successful ploughing match without the assistance of the Campany's men. It therefore appeared to him that the title should be altered to that of, say, the Eastern" District Ploughing Association. This was merely a suggestion. He had himself been always anxious to promote similar societies to that which this company were met to promote and foster. Although he was not a ploughman himself, he could heartily say — and call for a bumper also — "Success to the Long Bush Ploughing Association." (Cheers.) Mr. Brown,,.in responding, said.that ,the_ Society deserved every encouragement. The turn out to-day had-been good. He hoped next year to see double the number of teams on the ground. The Vice Chairman (Mr. , Mackay,) proposed " The ' Agricultural Interest," which was duly responded to. ' T Mr. Ralph Swale in proposing the "Pastoral Interest," stated that the Squatters had done good service to the country, as the pioneers in opening up and proving the capabilities of the various districts. It -was an important interest, and deserved encouragement. Mr Sinclair, .in responding, agreed with the proposer as to its importance, but thought, the. more experience he had, proved that it was absolutely necesssary to improve the country by sowing English grasses, otherwise the carrying capabilities would rather decrease than increase. Mr Robert Hamilton proposed the " Mercantile Interest," coupled with the name of Mr Cochran, and stated that there was sufficient evidence that day to prove the interest the townspeople took in the prosperity of the country. A large number of the merchants and storekeepers had left their business, possibly at much inconvenience, to promote the prosperity of the country by their presence and -influence. He -thought those present should carefully notice this fact. Of course the prosperity of the various interests were bound, together ; still, the mercantile interest was very important. He hoped the traders of Invercargill would soon combine together to export produce to the West Coast, or wherever there, was a market. . Mr Cochran, in responding, thought that Ploughing Societies would be of very great benefit to any district, and that. the efforts of the settlers should be encouraged. He thanked them for the hearty manner" in" which" they had responded to the call of Mr Hamilton. Mr George Tairweather proposed "The Judges." He regretted that they had been unable to stay to the dinner, as they would have seen the expression of good will towards them for their disinterested and impartial judgments. (Cheers.) The Chairman proposed " the successful competitors," coupled with the name of Mr Dugald Napier, and remarked he had been a successful competitor himself at exhibitions in the South of Scotland, and North -of England. He knew the pleasure it gave one to be successful, but he would warn them to Btill be careful of their laurels, otherwise, next year others might step in and take them. Mr Napier in responding, said he believed in fair play ; next year others might win, but they were not intending to pive in without a struggle. ; Mr Scandrett proposed "the unsuccessful' competitors," and expressed the gratification he felt in witnessing the competition. All could not win, but every one appeared satisfied with the awards, and he hoped the unsuccessful this year, would be successful next year. The toast was duly responded to. Several other toasts followed. The company ultimately separated, after pacing a very pleasant erqpigr r ' "*■'- : ■••'■ ■■"■ ■■:•■■-■ l -^

Watbb that 'Wiii kot Dbown. — All travellerß, — writes a correspondent, have mentioned" with astonishment the peculiar buoyancy of the waters *of the Great Salt Lake, and it is truly surprising. No danger of shipwreck need ever cross the mind of those -who -navigate the lake, for it would be simply impossible for- them to sink if thrown -overboard. my Jhandß. clasped together under my head, and my feet crossed, I floated on the very surface of the lake with at least one-thfrd>of -ihy 7 body above the water. Upon a warm summer's day there would not be the slightest 'difficulty in going .'to sleep upon the lake, allowing yourself to be blown about as the." wind "permitted"; "only oneZ would need an umbrella to keep off the rays of the sun. It has been stated.. that. .thr.ee buckets pfjthia water will yield one bucket of solid salt, but inasmuch as water will not hold above 25 per cent, of saline matter in solution, ;and if more be added it is constantly deposited upon the bottom, this estimate is, ofcourse, too large. On enquiring of the Mormons ' engaged in procuring salt, they unammonsly-stated-tfaatfbr^very-fiTe buckets ofwater they obtained one bucket of salt, whichgives the proportion as no less than 20 per ceht.No visitor to the Jake should omit the bath, the sensation in the water is the mo3t luxurious; and leads one to think himself floating in' the air. On' the way back to the city it. will be as well for the bather t« stop at the superb sulphur baths just outside the town,, and.remove, the saline.incrustations which will have formed upon him, by- a plunge into the fine swimming bathe, whose only objection is its peculiar odor and its great heat, which requires a large admixture of cold water. — Quebec Morning Chronicle. The young Lord Belgrave,-eon -of Earl -andLady Constance Grosvenor, and grandson of the Marquis of Westminster, will le the-wealthiest-man in the world. The net proceedings of the' Anglo- American Telegraph line for the five months of its effective existence amount to no less a sum than 81,8802.