REAPER AND BINDER COMPETITION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1849, 5 February 1889, Page 2

REAPER AND BINDER COMPETITION.

A reaper and binder competition, arranged by Me A. M. Cl irk, took place in a paddock near the Arowbeoua homestead yesterday afternoon. The crop selected for the trial was a medium one of oats, the ground being laid off ia blocks of about two acres each, arranged as nearly as possible eveniy. There was a large attendance of farmers and others interested, fully 250 persons in all being present, and the work done by each machine was subjected to a good deal of intelligent criticism. The machines shown were—the Massey, the Buckeye, the Deering, and Wood Single Apron. Ample time was allowed for preparation, and the machines, when fitted up, were each tried in the crop before entering for competition. By arrangement, Messrs A. M. Clark, J. Guild, Thos. Parke, W. Deßonzy, and J. Talbot acted as judges, and it was agreed that their award should be given on the merits of the work done. Tbe questions of durability, mechanism, etc., were not taken into consideration. Lots were drawn for places, and block 1 tell to the WOOD SINGLE APRON. This machine was of sft 6in cut, and in charge of Mr Webster (Webster and Macdonald), the agent. Mr Geon, an expert, superintended tbe erection, etc., ef the machine, and Mr John Young, who has charge of the firm’s agency in Timaru, drove. This being the first appearance of the machine in the Temuka district, its work was subjected to a good deal of comment. Drawn by two capital horses of Mr Peatletbwaile s, it started at a rapid pace, which was fairly maintained till the finish. The stubble left was clean and level, the sheaf was tightly tied, and square in the butt, but left the machine unevenly, so that it appeared somewhat twisted. The draught of the machine seemed exceptionally light, the block being cut out in 1 hour 21 minutes, and the horses did not appear in any way distressed. It was a matter of general opinion that bettor work could have been done bad it been taken at a more even pace. As it was, the representatives had no reason to be ashamed of it. THE BUCKETS shown was a sft 6in cut. It was yoked with two horses, driven by Mr James Walker, and was in charge of Mr Ward, an expert. Mr A. Anderson, of Anderson and Co., the agents for the colony, and Mr David Henry, the local agent, were also present. It was started into block 2, a somewhat irregular piece of ground, having on one side of it a rather steep but short siding. The machine worked steadily from start to finish, left a good stubble, and tied an oven compact sheaf which was delivered with the utmost regularity, and in such a manner that the butt reached the ground first. A noticeable feature of the machine was the smoothness with which it worked, there being comparatively little noise. The work done was a decided improvement upon that shown at its preliminary trial at Mr Grants. The block was finished in 1 hour 26 minutes. Block 3 fell to the lot of tbe MASSEY MACHINE, which was drawn by two horses driven by Mr McLeod, tbe travelling expert of the company. Mr K. F. Gray, of Gray and Montgomery, the local agents, was also present. Mr F. K. Gray assisted/ in the trial. The work done by the machine was noticeable for its extreme neatness. The cut was oft 6ia and the stubble left was remarkably level. Tbe sheaves were evenly packed and tightly tied. The machine was fitted with a bundle carrier, and under the expert manipulation of Mr McLeod the sheaves were deposited in rows of almost mathematical regularity, which added greatly to the appearance of the work. The block was cut out in 1 hour and 26 minutes. THE DEERING MACHINE was in the solo charge of Mr James Findlay, the local agent, Provided with three excellent horses belonging to Mr John Woodhead, and driven by Mr Joseph Woodbead, it made a capital start into the fourth block, which was level, but somewbeat heavier than the rest of the crop. The machine shown was a 6ft cut, and it was fitted with the bundle-carrier. After doing good work for about 20 minutes, one of the delivery arms broke, and this practically put the machine out of the contest. Mr Findlay, however, persevered, and, walking besides the machine, assisted to deliver the sheaves. The block wafi, in spite of tbe delay, finished in 1 hour 22 minutes ; bnt the accident militated greatly against tbe appearance of the work. A Deering machine of three seasons ago was also shown by Mr Geo. Woodhead. Little fault coaid be found with its work. Pending the decision of the judges, the machines engaged in the competition, and four others, were artistically grouped by Mr A. M. Clark against a background of standing corn, and, with a fair proportion of spectators, were then photographed by Mr Ferrier, of Timaru. It is intended that tbe picture shall be one of the several to be shown at the Dunedin Exhibition illustrative of harvest operations, etc., in Canterbury. Refreshments having been dispensed Mr A. M. Clark announced that the judges had arrived at their decision, and he wished it to be understood that it was unanimous on their part. They were giving their awards upon the work shown that day, and they had no hesitation in giving the highest honors to the Massey machine, whose work could not be improved upon. The Buckeye was second, and the Wood machine third. The accident to the Deering precluded it being placed. All the work done by the machines was highly creditable, and buu’i as the manufacturers and agents fcad no reason to be ashamed of.

Mr McLeod, the expert representing the Massey Company, said that it had given him great pleasure to be present at the competition. Ha was comparatively a new comer to the colonies, but whereever he had been, and he had attended competitions pretty well all over the known world, he had never received such fair treatment as had fallen to his lot in the Australian colonies. There were present that day machines representing the principal Yankee firms, and he felt proud, and he was sure his hearers would, that one manufactured in Canada, a British colony like themselves, had been able to successfully compete with them. He moved a vote of thanks to the judges, which was given with three cheers. Messrs Anderson and Webster were satisfied with the decision arrived at that

day, and with the general treatment they had received. They felt no reason to be ashamed of the work done by their respective machines. Mr A. M. Clerk said that when he came upon the ground he had a conviction that the Deeriog was going to “ make it warm ” for the other machines. Ho regretted the accident that bad befallen it, but hoped its agent would have batter luck in future. Mr James Findlay, tbe representative of the defeated machine, had no regret to express. He was fully satisfied with the work done under the cirnmstances, and felt confident in the future of the machine of which he was agent. Mr K. F. Gray moved a vote of thankfj*to Mr A. M. Clark for his bospitalityMfld for arranging tbe competition, which had been in every sense a successful one. The vote was carried with three cheers, Mr Clark briefly responded, and the gathering dispersed.