THE LONG BUSH PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION.

Southland Times, Issue 970, 17 June 1868, Page 3

THE LONG BUSH PLOUGHING ASSOCIATION.

The annual competition for the prizes of this Association took place on Friday, sth ins t., on the farm of Mr M'lntyre, Mona Bash. This field was selected rather in conformity rath the established practice of the Association, which prescribes the holding 1 of the matches in the eastern, middle, and Western sections of the district in rotation, than from its special adaptation for the purpose. Its inferiority to previous selections in the district was apparent to the must unpractised observer, yet it was the best that the committee could obtain in that locality. The extreme severity of the weather for some time past augured ill for the successful issue of the match. Several ploughmen were altogether discouraged from competing, and those on the field had evidently lees preparatory practice than on former occasions. But tho auspicious morning opened brighter than the most sanguine hopes could have predicted. The air was indeed teen, but clear, and not a drop of rain fell, all day. A day more favorable could not have been desired. Early in the day the number of spectators was very limited, but increased towards the afternoon. The miry condition of the roads, which doubtless prevented the attendance of townspeople and others remote from the scene of action, accounts for the paucity of spectators. Refreshments were to be obtained on the field, and Mr M'lntyre very hospitably kept open house all day. About 9 a.m. the ploughmen attended to draw for their lots. Twelve tickets were drawn — nine in the senior, and three in the junior class. A scene of bustle and animation immediately ensued. Ghiiding poles were set up on each lot with the utmost despatch, and the ploughmen began to break ground without delay. The break is the

• severest test of the tractableness of the horses , and the fractious conduct of some of the team soon made it evident that they hsd not the pre • liminarj practice " that ensures steadiness am precision. Several breaks were, therefore, no ', quite equal to those of previous matches ; but • as the work progressed, their defects were iii^ '<■ great measure rectified. Drysdale, Paget, auc JtT.'eming's ho>e* wore equal to the occasion ; bu Drysdale's outshone them all, and their steadrae3i . in no small degree contributed to secure to hin: the special pvize for ths best break and finish. A number of the horses on the field seemed unequa \ to their task, and though guided by the besl ploughman would have lost him the prize Flemiug, though he started fairly, found it neces- , sary in the course of the day to replace one oJ his horses, it being quite exhausted. A gradual improvement was to be observed in the ploughing as the horses came to understand their work, from which we may infer that, had the weather permitted of more regular practice, the ploughing oi this season would' have been noways inferior to that of any previous match at Long Bush. Each allotment was finishe 1 ! within the specified time, and the finish generally was performed in a masterly style. The judges — Messrs James Hay, James Henderson, and Robert Weir, — who had for some time been inspecting the work, now gave in their decision, which met with unqualified approbation. The Secretary, Mr Thomas Swale, read the awards in the following order : SENIOR CLASS. Ist prize, £5, Adam Drysdale j Barrowman's plough. 2nd prize, £4, William Paget ; Frater s plough. 3rd prize, £3, Robert Craig ; Grey's plough. 4th prize £2 10s, James Scott ; Grey's plough. Worthy of merit, Archibald M'Bride. JUNIOR CLASS. (Under 18 years of age.) Ist prize, £3, James Fleming ; Grey's plough. 2nd prize, £2, Thomas Dawson ; Grey's plough. SPECIAL PRIZES. • Ist prize £1 ss, for the best pair of horses, D. Warnock ; 2nd ditto, 15s, D. Napier. Prize £1, for the best kept horses and harness, Adam Drysdale. Prize, a pair of silver mounted head-stalls. The gift of Mr George Goodwillie, saddler, Tay-street, Invercargill. For the best ploughman on the ground, Adam Drysdale. Ist prize, a set of iron swingle-trees." The gift of Mr W. Bmith, blacksmith, Woodlands. For the best break and finish in the senior class. Adam Drysdale. 2nd prize, for above, a set of wooden swingletreee. The gift of Mr James Strang, carpenter, Woodlands. W. Paget. • ■ ■ Prize, a set of iron swingle-trees. The gift of Mr D. Keidie, blacksmith, Long Bush. For the best break and finish in the junior class. James Fleming. The congratulations, -which the naming of each prize-winner elicited from the crowd that eagerly listened to the decision of the judges, must have been very gratifying both to the successful competitors and to the Committee. The ploughmen might thereby distinguish their friends, and mark the pride with which they witnessed their success ; and the Committee might see that their, labours were appreciated, that the interest of the match was not confined to the emulation of the competitors, but that all present felt proud of the success of some one individual or another in a pursuit so congenial to their own habits and feelings. In the list of special prizes, the head-stalls, the gift of Mr Goodwillie, deserve particular notice. Their handsome make and superior finish won. the admiration of all. Mr Goodwillie is deservedly entitled to the thanks of the Association, and the good will of all who live by the plough in the Long Bush district. For several years he has continued to support the Association by his presence on the field k and by an annual handsome present to their funds. , Messrs Reidie, Smith, and Strang, the presentees of other special piizes, are also worthy of the warmest commendations. Their liberality and public spirit contrasts well with the apathy with which a great number of the neighboring settlers regard an institu ion established for their peculiar benefit. In other countries such associations are of incalculable service through their encouragement of efficiency in this invaluable branch of industry, and by the . introduction of improved implements through their commendation. The Association at Long Bush when originated bid fair to be the first in the province ; but through the indifference of a great number of the Bottlers, it had become a thing of the past, but for the zeal and energy of two or three of its members. Messrs Swale, Koss, Napier, Reidie, and Fairweatlier, who "on this occasion composed the acting committee, have throughout been the heart and soul of the Association; and if their efforts had been seconded by the countenance of the settlers generally, this Society would have been second to none other in the province. Cordial combination in this, as in all public matters, is necessary to ■ecure success. We understand that the prize plough promised by Mr Gray to the best ploughman' on the field, two years ago, has recently arrived. The Society owe Mr Grey an acknowledgment for his valuable gift, and the step he has taken will not, we trust, be lost on other implement-makers. The days' proceedings were wound up with a dinner at the Bridge Inn, to which about twentyfive gentlemen sat. Mr Alex. Ross in the chair, Mr Swale occupying the croupier's seat. The Host — Mr Sutherland — had provided a plentiful spread. After dinner, the chairman — Mr Ross — proposed the usual loyal and patriotic 'toasts, which were enthusiastically honored. The chairman then gave the toast of the evening, " The Long Bush Ploughine Association," to which Mr Swale responded. " The Judges "• was given by Mr Swale, and Mr Henderson replied. Mr R. Weir proposed " The Committee," and Mr Ross replied. Mr Fairweafcher gave the "Successful Competitors," and Mr Fleming replied. Then followed the " Unsuccessful Competitors," " The Strangers," and " The Host," all of which were duly honored. The chairman and croupier then. { vacated their seats, and the party separated* highly satisfied with their evening's entertainment. Nothing occurred throughout to interrupt the harmony of the proceedings.