FOREST HILL PLOUGHING MATCH.

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

FOREST HILL PLOUGHING MATCH.

CFItOAI A COBBESPOIfDBNT.) As the most of the ploughing matches for the season are now past, it might interest some of "your" ""readers to Show that in addition to the Winton match, which came off with favorable results on the sth inst., and which would have proved a greater success, but for tha bad roads and unsettled state of the weather, which prevented a number of the Forest Hill teams from competing, a number of the Forest. Hill farmers fixed upon having a local match in their own district on the Tuesday following, and which, according to arrangement, came off on the property of Mr Jame3 Donald. The site chosen j by the committee for the competition was a beautiful ridge, overlooking part of the Winton and other extensive plains. At the hour appointed, eight competent teams came upon the ground. As many more were fully expected, but "John Frost" had paid us a visit the preceding night, which deterred them from coming forward. Tickets were drawn, poles set, and on the signal being given, every one started, apparently with the intention of " holding to the proper size, and carrying off the foremost prize." It was evident that all went to work in earnest, and it was a commendable feature that no interference with or annoyance of the ploughmen took place, such as is too frequently witnessed on similar occasions. All things went on pleasantly during the day, visitors, as they arrived — some of them from considerable distances — being, through the liberality and thoughtfulness of the neighbors, supplied on the field with needed refreshment. At midday a halt was called, when Mr Donald, after a short absence, appeared on the field with ample creature-comforts for all present, and plenty to spare. After the repast had been enjoyed, a Becond start was made, the men evincing a determination to finish their lots by the time allowed, and; as the close drew near, much speculation was indulged in as to who were winners. The judges, Messrs Keith and Kid, farmers, Winton, and Mr William Dunlop, Grove Bush, men eminently qualified for the performance of such a duty, soon made their appearance on the ground, and after a careful examination intimated to the secretary the numbers of the allotments to which the prizes should be given. The winners were — Mr John Neil], Gayfiald, Ist prize, £4 ; Mr John .Noble, Bull Bush,- 2nd-prize, £3 ; Mr Walter Henderson, Craig House, 3rd prize, £2 ; and Mr Malcolm M'Conachie, for the best "break, a pair j of leather leggings, given by Mr Auchinclose, of j Winton. For the junior class there were three ] competitors, and two prizes were given, Mr Jamea j Hamilton getting first, and Mr Walter Gray, jun., ploughman to Mr Alex. Robertson, second. The secretary, from the middle of the assembled crowd, read over the prize list, each name being received with loud cheering, sufficient to testify that ail were* satisfied with the decision of the judges, and the proceedings of the day. A-fter the labors of the day were over, the visitors, in suitable parties, were entertained to dinner at various settlers' homes at hand, and in the evening, at the commodious barn of a leading settler, a general reunion took place, where dancing was kept up by about 25 couples until an early hour. In conclusion, I must again refer to the unbounded hospitality and cordiality of the resident settlers on the occasion, which was worthy of all praise and of being followed by others. '■■