THE DINNER.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 284, 10 July 1873, Page 10

THE DINNER.

Shortly after 8 o'clock upwards of 40 gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner in the Shamrock Hotel, catered in Mrs. Donovan's usual first-class style. Mr Vincent Tyke had promised to occupy the chair on the occasion, but sent an apology for his absence. A good substitute was found in Mr. Peter Robertson, who presided to the satisfaction of all. After the table was cleared, the Chairman proposed the .usual patriotic toasts — " The Queen and Royal Family and Ami), Navy, and Volunteers." Mr. Kerap sang " We've aye been provided for, and sac will we yet." Mr. J. Harris sang "The Jolly Plouohboy." The Chairman then proposed the "Tuapeka Ploughing Match Committee." lie did not know what the majority thought with regard to the day's match. Although the ground was damp underfoot, the day was good, and all seemed comfortable. The turnout of ploughs was not so large as he would liked to have seen, but, although that was v matter for regret, still there was a satisfaction in tho end to find the work well done. He was afraid ploughing matches would soon become extinct were it not for the stern belief entertained by some persons that these matches are a real benefit to a district, and the stern exertions by which they backed their belief in them. The most of those gentlemen present would coincide with him that the the success of the Tuapeka match depended no more upon any person than on Mr. John Drysdale (loud cheers), and- he had great pleasure in coupling that gentleman's name with the toast. M r J. M'Tagt^art sang •' Tho Hills of Glon-ihee." Mr. John Drydesdale, in responding, said the only object in working as he did was to get as many ploughs as possible on the ground. He did go to some trouble, as did also his brother, in attending meetings and otherwise forwarding the matter. The Committee had done their beat to make the match a success, and he only wished all the farmers in the district to take an equal interest in them in tho future. If those [farnieis who now took an interest in these healthful competitions would only get their neighbors to exert themselves a little, as good an aunual match might be got up in Tuapeka as in any part of the province. Last year he got one farmer to send a plough, which resulted in his getting the third prize. On this occasion tho same person had two ploughs in the fie'd, and got two prizes. Mr. Doyle sang % ' Paddy Doyle." Mr. Matthew Hay proposed "The Successful Competitors." He considered that ploughing matches gave great stability to farming ; they encouraged those who have servants, and they afforded opportunities for the rising geueration seeing what was really considered good ploughing. lie believed the time was not far distant when they would have as many as fifty competitors in the field. Mr. Detert sane a comic song. Mr. James Brown returned thanks on behalf of himself and his brother ploughmen who had been successful. He considered he had as good a light to tho gold medal as anyone. He believed he was the oldest ploughman in the Tuapeka district, a*nd had done a deal of rough work in it. If ho were in tho district next year, he would only be too well pleased to have to compete with thirty ploughs. Mr. Brown sang "The Cobbler," and, in reply to a recall, sang " Sandy Grant." The Chairman then proposed " The Judges." He had very great pleasure m proposing the toast. He had not heard one single word of dissent from the decision of the Judges. This is always a matter of great satisfaction to anyone concerned either in ploughing matches, agricultural or seed shows, or anything else. The universal judgment of all on the field who knew anything of ploughing quite coincided with that of tho Judges. He would couple the toast with the names of the Judges, Messrs. M'Ara, Kemp, and Keppel. Mr. M'Ara, in reply, said with regard to the ploughing that day, he considered it was done in better style than in former matches ; and with regard to the Judges, he believed they bad decided according to merit, He

thought, had the match been open to tho Wyitahuna district, they would have had a much keener contest. The Waitahuna match would take phico on Friday, the 18th, when he would be glad to see anyone from the Tuapeka district. Mr. Kepple, in reply to the toast, said he wastonly surprised that he was asked to act as a judge, as he thought there were many persons far better qualified. He had not followed the plough very much, but he had paid for what little experience he had acquired. It had been the endeavors of the Judges to give satisfaction. There had been in the past a measure of distrust in the minds of people in appointing local men, which he considered unmerited. Mr. Kepple accounted for the poorness of the turn-out by the fact that there were so few ploughmen in the district, and also on account of there not being a branch labor depot established. It was a bad sign when they found the ploughmen, as a rule, fiuding fault with their ploughs, or the man who broke in their horses, or made complaints about the harness, and the like, to account for their bod work. Mr. Kemp also replied to the toast. Mr. Buck sang "Charming Woman." Mr. Ferguson sang "Logic o' Buchan." Mr, Nixon sang Mr. M'Ara sang "Ye Banks and Braes o' Bonnie Doon." I Dr. ITalley proposed " Success to the Waitahuna Ploughing Match." He hoped there would be rivalry but not jealousy between the two districts, and trusted that the match to he held at Waitahuna that day fortnight would terminate as successfully as the Tuapeka one had done. Tho Chairman said the Waitahuna people had shown a good example by opening their match to Tuapeka people. He believed by tho two being separate there would now be more competition than formerly. Mr. M'Taggart sang "Why Johnny I hardly knew You." Mr. M/Ara responded to the toast by expressing the hope that they would have a successful match at Waitahuna. Tho toast of "The Agricultural Interest " was then proposed, coupled with the name of Mr. Thomas Darton. Mr. Thoma3 Taylor sang. Mr. Darton, in responding, said, asche evening was drawing to a close, he would be very brief. The match which they had met to celebrate was intimately connected with the toast which' he had to propose. He was happy to hear Mr. M'Ara say the work was even better fchau formerly. He was specially pleased that the Committee had this time adopted a deeper furrow. The importance of this matter was not sufficiently appreciated. The inch which they had added to the depth in their plouging was #qual to a ton. of soil to the acre. Mr. Darton then referred to the great necessity in this part of the country for deep ploughing. He would be glad to show any one who would give him a visit at his farm the beneficial results attending it. By deep ploughing the moisture got stored up for the dry weather. He contended, if they were to make their uplands fertile, it would be incumbent upon them to plough deeper and deeper. Mr. Buck proposed the " Press," which was responded to by Mr. Ferguson. Mr. Hay moved a vote of thanks to the hostess for the noble spread she had supplied. Mr. James Han-is responded on behalf of Mrs. Donovan. Dr. Halley moved a hearty vote of thanks to the worthy Chairman. Mr. Robertson responded by saying that when anything having for its o'oject tho welfare and advancement of the district was on the board, he was always ready to give it all the assistance in his power. The gathering, after singing " Auld Lang Syne," dispersed, after spending a most jovial evening.