WINTON AND FOREST HILL PLOUGHING- MATCH.

Southland Times, Issue 1300, 29 August 1870, Page 2 (Supplement)

WINTON AND FOREST HILL PLOUGHING- MATCH.

(fsom a correspondent.) The first match of this Association was held on the sth August, on the Messrs Shaw's land, above Winton Bush, the spot selected being beautifully situated next the bush, giving strangers a correct, and at the same time a favorable impression of this large and rising district. The clay was fine, and added very much to the success of the match. There was a large attendance, and besides the competitors, and those who were intimately interested in the proceedings, a sprinkling of the fair sex graced the scene with their presence. Eleven ploughs were on the ground, and a start was made by 9 o'clock, a.m. The workmanship was highly creditable, considering the nature of the ground, and the implements the competitors generally had to work with, but there is no doubt in another year they will be able to take their stand in any match; The judges of ploughing were Messrs J. B. Sutton, D. M'Conechie, senr., and John Ross, and thoir decisions gave satisfaction to all concerhod. "Those of the beat groomed horses and best kept harness, were Messrs Crosbie and Scott, j In the evening, upwards of fifty gentlemen sat down to a dinner provided by " mine host" M'William, in a style that would be difficult to surpass. Mr Bremner, of the Bank of Otago, was in the chair, the vice-chair being very ably filled by Mr John Thomson, senr. After ample justice had been done to the good things of thi3 life, with which the table groaned, and the cloth j had been removed, the following toasts were pro- j posed and responded to by various gentlemen : — " Success and prosperity to the Winton and Forest Hill Ploughing Match Association," " the Agricultural and Pastoral Interest," " the Successful Competitors," " the Unsuccessful Competitors," "the Judges," "the Banking Interests," " the Ladies," " the Strangers," and " the Host and Hostess." The ball room was very tastefully decorated, and after dinner it was immediately resorted to. The ladies having turned out in force, the dancing was kept up in a very spirited manner till daylight. . It is quite evident that a new era has begun to dawn upon us, and that ere long there will be a great addition to our present township, and that a market will be found on the spot for all kinds of produce. The prize list was as follows : — Ist prize, £5, John Hamilton, Forest Hill 2nd prize, £4, R. Bruuton, Oreti Hundreds 3rd prize, £3, John Noble, Forest Hill 4th prize, £2, Jas. Henderson, Forest Hill. First off ground, £1, John Cameron; best finish, a pair of swingle trees — presented by Mr Thomas Lampert — John Hamilton ; best break, a pair of leggings — presented by Mr J. Auchinclose, and raw hivle girth, presented by Mr W. Cutcliffe — John Hamilton ; best groomed pair, £1, John Hamilton ; best kept harness, £1, John. j Cameron.