TUAPEKA AND WAITAHUNA THIRD ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 235, 1 August 1872, Page 8

TUAPEKA AND WAITAHUNA THIRD ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.

The Tuapeka and Waitahuna third Annual ploughing match took place on Friday last at Mr ■ Colquboun's farm, £51arks Plat. The weather was bright and pleasant, in fact all that could be desired. The ground selected jvas the only piece at all suitable that be found in the two districts. Xt was yirgiu soil, and this probably deterred many from competing. It pras in. fair condition, although as a matter of course rather rough. There ivas a yery fair attendance of visitors, although, had the roads been in better condition, amd the weather the previous days been better, there would have been many more present. The refreshment department was under £he charge of Mrs. Donovan, and gave general satisfaction. Ten teams appeared to compete for the prizes. A much larger number had been' anticipated, but the bad weather of the preceding days must have deterred many from coming on to the ground. Owing to some of the competitors not arriving till late, a start was not made until close upon twelve p'clock. A third of an acre was the area to be ploughed, and five hours was the time allowed. All the competitors with the exception of one, who, by the way, bid fair to take a goodprize, finished within the specified time. The ploughing was decidedly superior to that at theprevious matches, and would bear comparison with that of any other district match. Owing to no junior competitors making their appearance, there was only one class. A substantial luncheon was provided by Mr. Colquhoun, and was done ample justice to by all and sundry. The following gentlemen acted as judges: — Mcsrrs. G. Walker, M'Cor'kendale, and A. Drysdale ; and their awards gave general satisfaction. Annexed is the prize list : — Ist Prize .—R.M'Ara - -£50° 2nd „ Matthew Stewart 40 JJ 3rd „ Jas, Treloar -30^ 4th „ A. Al'Corkendale 20 J sth „ M. Kelliher r 10 ° (sth „ T Darton - 010 ° 7th „ William Sheath, curry comb and brushes, the gift of Mr. Thpmas Bcirnet. Bth Prize. — J. Cahill, set of Feering Pojes, the gift of Mr. 1,. C. Holmes. 9th Prize. — William Auld, a book, value 10s" , the gift of Dr. Halley. JOth' Prize. — D. M'Cray, a book, value ' 10s., the gift of Mr. G. Jeffery. SPECIAL PRIZES. |?est Peering. — Goods, value £\ t the gift of Messrs. Herbert and Co. — M. Stewart. Pest Finish. — 10s., the gift of Messrs. G. Dowse and Qo. — Robert M'Ara. Beat Outs, and Ins. — Set feering poles, the gift of Mr. A. Humphrey — M; Stewarb. peßt Matched Pair of Horses. — Pair of Horses. — Pair of Hames, the gift of Mr. F. Meyer— W. Sheath. Pest Kept Harness, which has been in general use for two seasons. — A whip, value 305., the gift of Messrs. G. Dowse & Cq : — W. Sheath. Pest Groomed Pair of Horses. — tSet of s.wingletrees, the gift of Mr. Richard Andrews— W. SheathPest General Turn-out of Harness on the Field (must be the bonafide property of the competitor at least six months previous to the match). — Saddlery to the value of 305., the gift of Mr. James Low — William Auld. We may state that 'Mr. Kelliber, who appears fifth- ; on the list, would have occupied a much more favourable position, had it not been that his. horse ivas exceedingly restive. {fHE DISWEB,, {jyhich|took place in the evening at the Shamropk Hotel, Lawrence, was attended by upwards of twenty ; but we regret to say those who should take an interest in agricultural matters, were ph]efly noticeable by their absence. Mrp. Donovan provided an excellent spread, which was well appreciated by those who sat down to it. Mr.' Ferguson pecupied the chair, and Mr. B rook r as croupier. When the cloth had been removed, the Chairman gave the usual, loyal and patriotic toasts, which were duly honored.

The Chairman in proposing " The Tuapeka and Waitahuna Ploughing Match," regretted the absence of those >m $?/ imm( diately interested in gather? ings of the kind, and hoped that at the jiAxt ploughing match dinner, the agricultural interest would be properly represented. He considered agriculture in its infancy in tbe Tuapeka and Waitahuna districts. Farming, he was convinced, would ultimately proye remunerative, and those who managed to struggle through the hard times now general in the province, would reap with their harvests ample yewards for labour. He would like to see an agricultural association formed, and under its auspices agricultural shows held periodically, so as tojjiye, an opportunity for, farmers to pxbibit their produce, thereby creating a spirit of emulation, which would,. be exceedingly- profitable to the district.

Mr; Grundy gave the " Agricultural and Pastoral interests.'* He adverted to the importance of those two interests, and said they could be carried on side by side harmoniously. He $i.-ttj3ted that they would long continue j;p ' ( fiour|sh, as .on. them rested the I'pundiitions of true prosperity. ft|r. Dartdn responded in 'an exceed- . }ngly ,intere»ting speepb, in which hp graced-, thehistopy of agriculture, from \p earliest jn-fancy to its present sta.ge, ifi *U jjarte of the em'ized, wgplq 1 .

The •" Mjning Interest " was given and responded to.

Mr. E. WjlJiains gaye the "Commercial Interest " in a few appropriate words.

Mr. Q-eopge Walker responded. ! Mr. Brooks gave the toast of the' '■'Successful Competitors," which was j duly responded to. i "The Judges" was given by Mr. John Drysdale, and responded to by Mr. George Walker. Mr. Hills gave "The Ladies," which was responded to humorously to Mr. Wright Low. Mr. Buck proposed "The Press," which was responded to by the Chairman.

Several other toasts were given and responded to, including the Hostess, which was drunk amid acclamation.

Songs were sung at intervals, which considerably enlivened the proceedings. A. very enjoyable evening was spent by those present.