ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 2359, 29 July 1886, Page 2

ANNUAL PLOUGHING MATCH.

Tee second annual ploughing matoh under the auspices of the Masterton Far*' mer's Club was held in Mrs Yates' paddock, yesterday, on the Upper Plain There was a muoh larger attendance of the pub ; lie than last year owing to tho ground being situated lit closo proximity to a main road and only a mile or so in distance from thu town. Notwithstanding thu extra attendance, thu takings at thu gate where a charge of Is was nude fur admission was not so large as at the last match, That may bo accounted for by the fact that many visitors jumped the fence and others entered from the back as being the nearest for them in preferonco to coming a long way round for the privilege of paying Mr P. Hourigan, the gate keeper tho admission. Pat however, has a good memory for faces, and rather astonished a fuw by tapping them on the shoulder and siying, " Come on now with your bob,' 1 and they parted although with a very bad grace. There was a booth at tho far end of tlie paddock, but the demand for liquors in the absence of had weather was very small. The paddock used 011 the occasion for tho trial of skill did not come up to tho expectations of the Committee. The field was too small in the hrst place and it was very unequal in quality. Several times the ploughs got foul of stumps and had to be dragged back by main force. In places, too, the ground was stoiiey, although Woro tho ploughing began, a better one could not it was thought, be chosen. .There were twelvo competitors for ploughing on the ground, and tho work considering how the paddock turned out was equal to former years. There was some really first class work. We think the Committee ought to give a prize for " outs and ins," as the doublo furrows made very bad exits and entrances yestorday. The men wore ready to begin work at 9 o'clock in the morning, but there was a heavy mistover the ground which prevented them scoing the pegs at the other and, and a delay of an hour was caused. The judges of tho ploughing were John Morris and A, W, .Cave, of the horses and harness—R Cockburn, F. Gray and J, Harding. The ploughs used were—in doublle furrows, three of. Duncans,threo.of Raid and Greys; in mens and boys, three Duncans, and one Reid.and Groys; whilst in the single furrows there one Hornsby, and one of Duncans, , Men's double furrow,—6 entries.' First prize, F. Winter, with Duncan and Son plough ; second prize, Charles Bluwitt, with Duncan and Son plough; third prize, Hy. Crowder, with Duncan and Son plough;.best feering, C Bluwitt'; best finish, F, Winter. . Boys' double furrow.—First prize, S. Liddington, jun.', with Duncan and Son plough; second prize, J. Percy, jun., with Duncan and Son. plough; thiid prize, S. Carman, with Duncan and Son plough; best feeling, S. Liddington; bast finish, .S. Carman. , Men's single furrow.—First prize, 8. with Duncan and Son plough; second prizo, S. Liddincfcon, sen., with Hornßby plough; bast feering and finish, S. Foreman.

Best team of three plough horses, E, E. Chamberlain; bust pair nf plouph horses, S. Liddington; best groomed horsos, S, Broom ; best kept harness, S. Broom.

THE DINNKK, The annual dinner in connection with the match was hold in tho ovonimj at the Occidental Hotel, and was one of the most successful reunions yet held in the district, both in point of tho number present and the admirable manner in which tho good things were placed before the company by mine host, Mr Phillips. The largo dining room was taxed to its utmost limits to accomodate tho gathering, which consisted of the leadiug farmers and representative men of the district, all of whom expressed themselves highly pleased with the efforts made for their reception, Mr W. Lowes occupied the chair at the festive board, buing ably supported by Messrs Guild and Donald Donald in the vice chairs, When full justice had boen done to the good things the Chairman, in rising to propose the health of the Queon, said it afforded him great pleasure to again meet them on such on occasion, and hoped that the work of the day had borne out tho hope expressed last year that tho annual meeting would prove of advantage to tho agricultural interests of tho district. The agricultural and pastoral interests were year by year assuming extousive proportions, and the gatherings such as were held to-day would no doubt tend to further advancement. He dwelt upon the mental requirements of agricultural work, and said that if a farmer wished to become thoroughly successful, his spare time must be devoted to reading and study. There was always something to be learned even from tho most illiterate individual. Meetings such as the present would bo advantageous if held oftener, and he would like to see tho barrier that appears to exist, broken down between the laborer and the employer, so that a more frequent interchange of ideas could take place among them. In alluding to the toast he referred to the usual formal method of drinking the health of Her Majesty, and trusted all present would drink it loyally and heartily. The Queon and Royal Family, Governor, and House' of Representatives, were then duly proposed and successively honored. In proposing the two Agricultural and Pastoral Associations of the Wairarapa, the Chairman said it was a commendablo idea to embrace both Societies of the district in this toast. It shewed the good feeling that existed on the part of tho Committee toward the other end of the Valley, and he could see no reason why they could not work together for the mutual benefit ot both institutions, As ho did not attend tho Masterton Association, meetings, he could not say. what had been done, but felt confident the coming show would be an improvement on last year's, which was in overy way creditable to all concernod. From the short notice given, the North settlers had no time to prepare their stock for the initiatory show, but for the next one, with plenty of time before them, they might expect to see the number »f entries increased, and the quality of exhibits surpassed. The toast was received with grtfat enthusiasm.

Mr Donald Donald in responding for the Asßooiatioiiß, alluded to the good taste in combining the two under one toast, and trusted that a better feoling would be established betweon them. lie thought that with two such societies in the district, tho improvement of stock would continue, which would tend to their mutual advantage. He felt that the Masterton Association would be even a greater sucoess than laßt year. Evon if they did not £(et so large a number of entries, they would certainly have it in quality, as they would have the advantage of being able to prepare their stock. The chairman introduced Mr Tabutau, manager of the local branch of the Bank 'of New South Wales, who proposed tho toast of" the Farmers' Club." In doing so Mr Tabutau expressed the pleasure it gave him since his arrival among them to see tho great interest taken by everyone in agricultural pursuits. He trusted that as he extended his stay in the district ho would be able to take his share of interest in the work. He favorably contrasted the position of this district to others he had visited in this Island. In conclusion

he hoped that/the Wairarapa would become one united district and work (or tho good of all. < . MrT, Ei Chamberlain, on behalf of the Farmers Olufc/alludud to th'e • success of their first ploughing meeting, which was eclipsed by the present one. He drew a comparison of the work of twenty-five years ago when they used ut team of bullocks for ploughing, which required one to drive and two to lwld the plough, when ten acres a year was considered good cropping, and the old system uf reaping and thrashing as compared with their present rapid and admirable systom. He considered tile farmers of the day, by the use_ of improved machinery, took everything possible nut of the land, and he would like to sue a more frequent uso of manure. It was evident that unless something was done towards manuring the land, they would bo compelled to resort to graziuir, which, as they all '<new, was not a paying occupation on , small holdings. It was a good sign to see so many boys competing in the matches,'and he hoped they would see mow next year. With regard to single furrow ploughs he thought the day was passing lot tint use of theni, arid had no doubt that that class would be abolished in future shows, as the number of entries did not warrant the amount being given for that class of ploughing, Mr Fitttiu then read the list of prize winners and expressed the pleasure it gave him to see the meeting such a great success and thought that the liberal prizes given thia year would bo an incentive to even greater success at future matches.

Mr Guild, in proposing the "successful ploughmen," said the piize winners needed no praise; the work spoke for itself. Referring to the. single furrow ploughiughe coiit&nded that the work executed that day showed t|io superiority of the single over the double furrow ploughs. He was gratified to see that great interest was taken in these eonteats by the public, at was »vident by the number of people on the grouijd. Mr Winter responded.. MrE. E. Chamberlain proposed the unsuccessful ploughmen, He told them there must be unsuccissful competitors, and that they must try again, and perhaps they would reverse the verdiet next yea*.'

Mr Davenport said he felt honored in responding to the toast of tho unsuccessful, and hoped that he would next yoar be among the SHccoßsful. There was no doubt he had made the worst work in the paddock that day, but he had made a very successful supper there that ovennig. Mr Buick proposed " The Judges and Committee," and passed a high eomp!i- : ment on them for tho excellent manner tho wholo arrangements were carried out. Mr Guild, on behalf of the Committee, said the best recommondation was that they were all satisfied and were enjoying themselves.

Mr Fitton, on behalf of the judges, was glad that their efforts had given such satisfaction, and read the following report from them: "That the land iu which the match was held was unsuitable for a ploughing match in consequence of the great uneveness of some of the lands ploughed, and the amount of stones, and they find it very hard to give satisfaction to the different ploughing, but they hope that tho decision given will be satisfactory to all practical ploughmen, who would go carefully over the land and examine it."

Tlie following other toasts wore duly proposed, honored, and responded to,' Mayor and Borough Council, Press, Ladies, Boat, and Chairman, and the evenings entertainment was , considerably enlivened by the vocal efforts of Messrs Buick, A. Thompson, Winter, J. Herbert, Hojfg, and Wickerson, The company broke up about 11*30, after 'spending a very pleasant and instructive day's entertainment.