THE DINNER.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 945, 13 July 1878, Page 2

THE DINNER.

At six o'clock, about seventy or eighty competitors, members of the Club, and visitors sat down to dinner at the National Hotel, where an excellent repast had been provided by Mr Walker. Appetites sharpened by being five or six hours in the field were, me need hardly say, the means of full justice being done to the good things provided. On the removal of the oldth — Mr Maclean proposed the usual loyal toasts: " Ihe Queen, Prince of Wales, and Royal Family," and "-The Governor," which were drank with enthusiasm. The Secretary then read the prfc» list as follows : — . j Class 1 (doubls furrows) : 7 enwies : — First prize : Donald Clark, Otahuhu ; second prize : John Wallace, Pukerimu ; third- prize : William Heath (Messrs Maclean & Co.). Class 2 (single furrows) : 12 entries : — First prize: William Gray, Otahuhu; second prize: George Watt, vangakawa; third prize : J. Green (Swamp (Jo.). Class 3 (boys) : 2 entries :— First prize : John Hannon ; second prize : Michael McKearney. EXTRA PHIZES. Double Furrow Class:— First prize, Maclean & Co. ; second prize, fl. &R. Reynolds. Single Furrow Class : —^wamp Co? Best-kept Harness :— E. B. Walker. Best Finish: J. Green (Swamp Co.). Best < ollection of Roots : — First prize, George E. Clark; second prize, E. B. Walker. Mr E. B. Walker (vice-President) proposed the health of the " Judges," with a few well - deserved and complimentary remarks. Mr Wallace responded, and said it had afforded him great pleasure to act in the capacity of Judge at the Ploughing Match on the present occasion. It was a matter for congratulation, he thought, that better work had been done at this match than at any other ploughing match at which, he had been present. Twentyfive years ago, he had, himself, competed at a ploughing match, and had get beaten. In acting in the capacity of Judge, lie had done his best to give an impartial decision. He found that they were all a little out in measuring their land, and if they disqualified one they would have had to disqualify all ; consequently, no prizes would have been given. They had judged the ploughing by the quality of the work done. There was a difference of opinion as to whether the rectangular furrow was more effective than the trapezoidial, or high-crested, furrow. The latter style of plonghing was more in vogue in this district, as they could get with it a better bed for grass seed, but down in his district the rectangular furrow was considered the best, as they cultivated the land more, and a greater quantity of ground was turned over by that style than by the other. He had to congratulate them on the success of the match, and heartily thanked them for the cordial manner in which they had drank the toa>t. Mr Hunt also responded, remarking that the manner in which they had drank the health of the Judges afforded him the utmost gratification. In the single furrow, they wer3 rather divided an to Avho of the competitors was the best, but the one to whom they had awarded the prize had made the best commencement and the best finish. It had given him great pleasure to act as one of the Judges. He had done his best in giving af air judgment, and he must thank them for the heartymanner in which they had drank the toast. Mr Westney said he had also to thank them for the toast. T hey had endeavoured to award the prizes to the best of their judgment, no doubt a great deal of the work might have been done better, bufc the land was rough and rather brittle and too loo^e, but on the whole the ploughing would have done credit to any district. Mr Wallace said he had a toast to propose, that of "Cambridge Farmers' Club.'* Re thought the district had the right sort ot men in it if they could get up an institution of the land, build an elegant Club House, and carry out slfdVvs and ploughing matches successfully; He would ask them to 'charge their glasses and drink to4he success of the Cambridge Farmers' flub. In their district they had many poor people and only the sea for a bank ground, It would be well for the country if there were more farmers' clubs in the colony. Mr Maclean in response said, the Club was formed for the object of advancing the agricultural interests of the district. They met together for the purpose to compare experiences and discuss questions of importance to the farmers. Since he had been President he had lately had little differences of opinion on some points, with other members of the Club 1 , but he had always spoken his mind, notwithstanding it give offence. He only occupied his position for the good of the district, and whatever course hejhad taken in connection with the Club was to that end, to develop the resources of^the district. Mr Wallacejhid said, "They had only the sea for a back ground in his part of the country," but here we had a fine extensive and fertile back country which soon would come under cultivation, and bring wealth and population into the district. This would eventually be a great producing district. He would like to see other institutions besides the Farmers' Club. He hoped they -would soon have a Municipal Council. They would they had better roads. They might have bad roads now, but that was the result of constant traffic. It was far better to have the mud and the traffic than grass growing in the streets and no traffic. Mr Furgusson proposed the health 'of Mr Ryan, who had so kindly given his paddock for the ploughing match. This toast having been drank Mr Ryan in response said, he was sorry that the land had been rough, but they must not expect him to make a longspeech as he had domestic trouble lately. However, he thanked them for the honor done to him in drinking bis health. Mr Hunt proposed the "Successful Competitors." — (Drank with enthusiasm.) Messrs Clark, Gray, and Watt responded. Mr Watt said ho thanked them for drinking their health, but he had something to say which, perhaps, theyVonld not care to hear. If regulations were made, why did they not keep tn them ? Ho had been at more than twenty ploughing matches in this colony, and in the old country, but had never heard of the first prize being given to a man who had put lffc. 9in. more in one land than in the other. He -did not wish to say anythingagainst the judges, but he thought that the regulations should have been adhered to. He did not Buy this because he e*

pected to be first, but he bought that another man-not the man ™e first prize-was before him. The judges said lie was about two inches .out. He thought that very good in. ""J-*** The "Unsuccessful Competitors and "The Ladies" were then proposed, the latter being drunk with musical honors, and responded to by Mr H. A. C. F M g r U8 Ses Runciman proposed « The Press," which was duly responded to. " The Visitors " was then proposed, and responded to by Mr McMinn. Other toasts followed, concluding with that of "The Chairman," which was drunk with musical honors. The Chairman responded, and The meeting then terminated.