Agricultural & Horticultural Medals

Lot 557    Day 1    Agricultural & Horticultural Medals

Estimate $2,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

DERBY PLOUGHING MATCH, stock medal in silver (60x45mm), no maker (J.Hislop, Dunedin), scroll and ring top suspension with an additional silver bar (loose) with pin-back, obverse inscribed 'Derby Ploughing Match/Won by/J.Edwards', reverse inscribed 'Presented/By/J.Hislop/1875'; another as last, by Hislop (J.Hislop, Dunedin), obverse inscribed 'Derby Ploughing Match/Presented/By/J.Hislop/1877', reverse inscribed, For the best/Ploughing Lot/on the Field/Won By/J.Edwards'. Extremely fine, both cased. (2)

The following courtesy National Library of New Zealand - Papers Past, from the Otago Daily Times 5 July 1875:^^"TAIERI DERBY PLOUGHING MATCH^^Committee of Management:- Messrs Geo.Prain, J.Robertson, J.Brown, Samuel Young, J.Forrest, J.Aitken, J.Cullen. Judges: Messrs Wm.Paul (Palmerston), Walter Park (Blueskin), and James Duthie (Tokomairiro). Hon. Treasurer, Mr Jas.Cullen; Hon. Secretary, Mr Jas.A.Callander.^ The annual Taieri Derby Ploughing Match, took place on the 2nd inst, on Mrs Steveneon's farm, Wingatui, East Taieri. The morning, as on several days previously, wore a threatening aspect, and some slight showers fell, but the sky gradually cleared and the afternoon proved fine, Old Sol occasionally patronising the hardy tillers of the soil by his welcome beams. ^^The Maungatua ranges were capped with snow. The ploughs were started at 9.40am, and continued working steadily till shortly after 4 o'clock. ^^As usual, many of the horses were tastefully decorated with ribbons of the gayest colours. Considering the very inclement weather that we have had recently, there was a good attendance, about 200 persons being present during the afternoon. ^^The fair sex were not as well represented as on the occasion of the North Taieri Derby Ploughing Match. However, according to an old Taieri friend of ours, the day was really splendid for ploughing, and could scarcely have been better. The proprietors of the farm being advocates of the Good Templars' principles, the booth containing alcoholic beverages was erected on the Corporation ground adjoining, and presided over by Mr Webb of the Commercial Hotel, Mosgiel. ^^Mrs Stevenson kindly supplied refreshments to the competitions, the hot coffee especially being much appreciated. ^^The paucity of the entries, which numbered only twenty, may be satisfactorily accounted for by the recent rainy-season. The number of entries last year was 28; in 1873, 47; and in 1872, 46. ^^The rich, loamy soil, scarcely showing a particle of clay, had only been laid down in grass for about three years, and was consequently not very firm. ^^The various competitors appeared to strain every nerve to secure accuracy in ploughing the furrows, and thereby gain first honours. Their work was so nearly equal in point of merit that the Judges occupied some considerable time in arriving at a decision. The silver medal for the champion lot on the field was awarded to John Edwards of East Taieri, who secured the first prize in Class A. Robert Smellie had not finished his lot, and, according to the Judges, this oversight lost him the championship. The medal contained the following inscription: - "Presented by John Hislop, jeweller, Dunedin, 1875, Derby Ploughing Match. Won by--". There were only two entries in class B, against seventeen last year, and James Broddie secured the prize. In Class C, Robert Millar lodged a protest on account of alleged seniority against John Chirnside, who arrived here 17 years ago, and will be 20 in August'next. The protest was therefore not sustained, though the young man's elderly appearance subjected him to general remark. Robert Sineliie was awarded first honours in Class D. Mr Joseph Mackay's prize (a book valued at 10s 6d) for the youngest ploughman in the field fell to Alexander Millar. The valuable hat presented by Mr J.Muir (Almao and Co.), Dunedin, was secured by one of the Committee, Mr James Forrest, who instead thereof gave a guinea, to the funds. This course was pursued in consequence of the amusement derived from a similar special prize presented last year, so that the winner could not wear his trophy. A magnificent pair of mares belonging to Mr Muir, of North Taieri were much admired. About 5.30pm a numerous crowd assembled near the booth to ascertain the awards of the Judges, the announcement of whose decisions was very favourably received. ^^Excellent order prevailed throughout the day. We have to thank Mrs Stevenson and the Committee for their courtesy. Subjoined is the prize list:.........".^^With reserach.