1848

THE PLOUGHING MATCH

The following is taken from the Register. I will be highlighting in bold sections which relate to my ancestor Mr John Norman. I wonder when reading this and other reports whether, without the advent of Australian football, this might have become the national sport.

South Australian Register Saturday 15 July 1848, p6.

WILLUNGA PLOUGHING MATCH

Aware of the great interest which prevailed amongst our numerous friends and readers in the South respecting the maiden ploughing match of Willunga, advertised in our columns to take place on Wednesday last, we proceeded to the scene of action on Tuesday, and arrived by moonlight at the picturesque and sylvan hamlet of Willunga, when the blazing hearth and plentiful table of mine host of the “Bush Inn” soon succeeded in striking a balance with the sharp frosty air outside. We found Mr Clift, the Chairman, and other gentlemen of the Committee, with their indefatigable Secretary and Treasurer Mr Loud, actively engaged in the usual preliminary arrangements, and experienced from the latter gentleman and his colleagues the most hearty welcome on the object of our visit being known.

The time for entering the ploughs was limited to eight o'clock in the evening, and by that hour there were six entries made of horse ploughs, and a similar number of bullock ploughs; the entrance fee being 7s 6d, except in the case of a party or his servant being a subscriber of £1 to the fund of the Ploughing Association, when the entrance was free.

The entries, when completed, were as follows:-

HORSE PLOUGHS.

BULLOCK PLOUGHS.

Instructions were given by the Secretary for the parties entered to be on the ground at nine the next morning. The horse ploughs to be drawn by two horses, without a driver, the ox teams not to consist of more than six oxen, and to be allowed of course a driver; the furrows to be not less than nine inches by four and a-half; the quantity ploughed to be half an acre, and the work to be completed in four hours. The prizes consisting of four in each department, to be severally £4, £3, £2, £1, the best ploughman of the day, in whichever of the two classes, to have the Association's silver medal. In the course of the evening, this very neat and appropriate order of merit reached Willunga, by a gentleman from Adelaide, and on inspection by the Committee and company assembled, elicited much admiration, the design and execution being equally commendable, and reflecting credit on the artistic skill of the colony.

Early the following morning, several supporters of the cause in hand, as well as visitors from a distance, partook of a substantial breakfast with the worthy and zealous Secretary, at his pleasantly situated farmery, Thorneyville, a few miles from Willunga, where— by the way —among other operations, we observed with satisfaction preparations making for a vineyard. By nine o'clock all parties interested were on the field, a beautiful spot on Mr Norman's land, near Willunga, known by the appropriate name of Brawn Farm, Mr N. being celebrated for his superior breed of pigs, in which stock he has at times challenged the colony.

Two additional ox teams, with their ploughs, appeared on the ground, but of course could not be allowed to enter; on which point we pause to observe that with every disposition on the part of the Committee to gratify all parties, it will on reflection be obvious to all, that eight o'clock on the evening prior to the match is late enough for completing the entries and the official arrangements, which however apparently easily gone through, are such as to render it desirable that they should not be increased or rendered complicated by any breach of the fixed rules of the committee, and which would be at the same time injustice to those parties who bad studiously complied with the prescribed rules. On the other hand, we recommend strongly to the officers of the Association to advertise much earlier next year, as by so doing they are sure to draw a larger body of visitors, and more extensively to diffuse the emulative spirit and the good they contemplate, and as for any seeming additional expense incurred by advertising freely, this is a most sure to be met by an increased number of entrance fees.

The plots were staked out in breadths of fifty links by 2000 links, or twenty chains in length by half a chain in breadth, suitable intervals being left between each plough-land. The signal being given, the twelve teams started simultaneously, at half-past ten o'clock, and for some hours nothing could exceed the interest and excitement that prevailed.

From the opening of day, “the sun shone bright on every eye in the village”, and as it advanced, visitors and spectators from all points of the compass kept arriving on horse and foot, and in vehicles of varied character, from the ponderous dray to the light trim gig, interspersed with female equestrians, who with the ladies and farmers' wives on foot, added much to the grace and animation of the scene. The spot selected for the occasion was so perfectly enchanting in all its features that we shall make no attempt to describe it, but content ourselves with saying that the best compliment to the judgment of taste shown by the Committee on this head was found in the admiration expressed by parties themselves residing among the kindred scenery of the south. The heat of the day, which appeared to us equal to that of Old England's Midsummer, rendered a considerable quantity of liquid refreshment. which arrived on the ground about noon from the headquarters at Willunga, very acceptable to the majority of the company assembled, and both it and Mr Atkinson's supply of bread and beef, cheese and butter, vanished at such a rate, that an entire stranger to the affair might have taken the majority of us for ploughmen. During the progress of the ploughing, a large party of visitors accompanied Mr Norman, the spirited owner of the ploughing-ground, and one of the Committee, to his hospitable residence, where we found a lunch awaiting us of the most ample and varied character. While partaking of Mr N.'s substantial fare we could not help being struck with the pleasing amount of animation and happiness which was imparted to his comfortable abode by the presence of seven daughters, forming as it did, in our fatherly estimation, such a gratifying contrast with the horrid hermitages of some of the bachelor bushmen whom we have visited. Mr N. facetiously apologised for the absence of Mrs Norman by the introduction to the company of his infant daughter only some ten days old. On returning to the field, we found the company still further increased, and it may be estimated that, during the day, little short of 500 persons visited the scene of action. The work was all done within the prescribed time, with the exception of the plot allotted to Captain Burney's ploughman, who, after making one cut, abandoned the attempt for reasons which will appear in the sequel. The judges appointed for the occasion arrived at Mr Norman's residence in the afternoon, and on being summoned to the field at the conclusion of the work, proceeded to inspect it with the greatest attention and care, taking considerable time in the discharge of a duty always one of intense delicacy, and in the present instance of some difficulty as respected the second and third prizes. It is due to the company assembled to notice come points in which they observed great propriety compared with some ploughing matches which we have witnessed at home, great care was taken by all present to avoid crossing or treading over the work; the most friendly interest and anxiety for the ploughmen prevails amongst the spectators, of whom there was frequently a complete crowd at the turning, a matter of some concern to a man who has to manage, besides his plough, a pair of horses unaccustomed to plough before company, and Greenshield's gang, one of them a spirited entire animal. A third point to be noticed, was the avoiding all approach during the inspection, near the judges, whom we have occasionally seen attended in their survey by a cluster of familiar friends or intimates, who at the time seemed to forget that they were risking injury to the judicial decisions, prove as they might. The judges invited by the Committee for the occasion were Mr Richard Blackler of Adelaide; Mr Robert Taylor, Willunga and Mr James Dawson of Strathalbyn. The company began to disperse before the judges left, the return of the more distant visitors being favoured by a bright moon and a sky which had been all day without a cloud, an observation which might have been applied metaphorically to the business and engagement of the day, but for an untoward accident which occurred at its close, as elsewhere recorded.

THE DINNER.

A large body of the visitors left the field for the “Bush”, by which we do not wish our readers to understand “The Bush”, but the Bush Inn before-named, under the comfortable shelter of which about one hundred gentlemen and farmers soon found themselves seated around tables bearing abundance of the good things of this life. The greater part of the company, from fifty to sixty in number, found accommodation in the new dining-room recently added to the “Bush”, the rest occupying the smaller apartments of the building. The chair was filled by John Colville, Esq., of Moy, near Willunga, supported by the respected Clergyman of the township, the Rev Arthur Burnet; Mr Anderson, of Morphett Vale; Mr Clark, of the Emu; Captain Burnet, of Noarlunga ; Mr Hill, Surgeon, of Willunga. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr Clift, of McLaren Valley, Chairman of Committee. The second table was presided over by Mr Norman, among whose supporters we noticed Mr Cook, of the Murray; Mr Chamberlain of Adelaide; and Mr Douglas, of McLaren Vale. At the opposite end the Secretary did the honors, supported by the three Judges, Mr Pritt, of Adelaide; Mr Grundy, of Adelaide; and in the body of the room we noticed Mr Abraham Pethick, and Mr Richard Hill, of Willunga, Members of the Committee. Messrs Colton, of McLaren Vale; Mr Overton, of the Bay of Biscay, Mr Dawe and his partner Mr Polkenhorne, of the Willunga Slate Quarries; Mr Weir, Architect, of Adelaide; Mr Hutching, of Adelaide; Mr Edmonds, of Noarlunga; Mr Hewett, of McLaren Vale; Mr Anderson, Morphett Vale, etc.

The advantages of a good dinner having been practically and fully proved to the satisfaction of all present, thanks were offered to the Giver of all Good by the Rev Mr Burnet, and the Chairman with very neat and appropriate introductions gave the usual loyal toasts The Queen being drunk with three times three, and Prince Albert and the Royal Family with the like honours.

The Chairman, in introducing the next toast, conceived it justly due to the object of it to express a sentiment of admiration as to the generally commendable and praiseworthy manner in which he had conducted himself in the colony, the honest and hearty interest which he undoubtedly took in all its affairs, to the management and direction of which no man could hope to please all, and more especially his exertions and earnest anxiety to promote emigration, the vast importance of which could not be too earnestly pressed upon the attention of his successor. Under the conviction that the present ruler of our colony would do his duty to us and to his successor in this respect, and that he would fearlessly make just representations to the Government at Home on this all-important point, carrying with him the good wishes of this community, he had great pleasure in proposing “His Excellency the Lieut-Governor of the Province”. (Drunk with three times three.)

The next toast, introduced with appropriate remark was “The Church of England and the Rev Mr Burnet”. The Rev. Arthur Burnet, in acknowledging the toast, proceeded to thank the company for the handsome manner in which his name had been introduced and received, in a colony where all religious sects were alike acknowledged (observed the speaker), we no longer heard the toast of “Church and State”; fortunately, however, for her interests, however forgotten, however injured at times in England, they bad been studied more honestly, more sacredly as respects this province by the appointment of an Episcopalian head, likely under God to secure to them benefits, and an influence dear to every Churchman; and where we were blessed with a Bishop distinguished for apostolic zeal, for piety, and for learning, for Christian affability and cheerful openheartedness, for integrity of heart and uprightness of purpose, we might hope to see him and the Church over which he presided, so supported and upheld, as that if she were no longer a State Church, she would nevertheless be so far stately in her bearing and her influence as to procure for her general esteem and the most extended usefulness. He regretted that he had not yet had opportunities of cultivating the acquaintance of all his neighbours; hut if spared to continue amongst them, he hoped by Divine help to prove acceptable and useful to all around him.md so to discharge the duties of his sacred office amongst them as to do good to them and himself, and credit to the Church which they had so zealously noticed in connexion with his name. (Cheers.)

The next toast given (by Mr Loud the Secretary) was “The Dissenters in the Colony”. After a short pause, Mr Hewett, of McLaren Vale, rose and said — “That finding himself in the company of many an honest Dissenter, he anticipated a prompter acknowledgement of the toast from some one more competent than himself; for his own part, be felt it no hardship simply to return thanks for an early, friendly, and well-meant compliment, and in the name of his fellow-Dissenters from the Church of England be begged most cordially to thank them, assuring them that however he and they might differ from the Established Church, he trusted their conduct as members of the same common community would in the main be found such as to secure for them a continuance of the regard and esteem of their fellow-citizens as evinced in the toast just given”.

The Chairman next gave, with some very pertinent remarks on the subject that bad brought them together, and on the advantages of ploughing matches generally, “The health and prosperity of their worthy Chairman and Secretary, Mr Clift and Mr Loud, and great praise to them for their exertion on this occasion”. (Drunk with three times three.)

Mr Clift briefly returned thanks, giving as the next toast “The Successful Competitors”. (Three times three.)

The Judges were then called upon for their report, when it appeared that the awards were as follow:—

Horses.

First Prize, £4. to James Foreman, ploughman.

Second ditto, £3, to Samuel Shore, ditto.

Third ditto, £2, to Thomas Smart, ditto.

Fourth ditto, £l, to Adam Hitchcock, ditto.

Oxen.

First Prize, £4, to Duncan Stewart, ploughman.

Second ditto, £3, to John Edwards, ditto.

Third ditto, £2, to Joseph Atkinson, ditto.

Fourth ditto, £!, to A. Pethick, ditto.

The Society's Silver Medal, for the best ploughing in either class. To James Foreman.

Mr Norman, in presenting the Medal to Mr Foreman, complimented him on having proved that day, that to the art of ploughing he was indeed a Foreman, and he trusted that as a practical farmer he would long continue to be a Foreman, and secure other agricultural honours besides those which he had that day earned, and which he trusted he would long live to enjoy. (Cheers.)

Mr Foreman returned thanks through Mr Norman.

The health of the Judges being given with three times three.

Mr Taylor briefly returned thanks, declining to enter upon the merits of the competitors, or to make any remarks where there existed so much to commend and so little to censure, especially as he understood it was not looked for by the Committee, and the peculiarity of his position as a near neighbour rendering criticism on his part by no means an agreeable or easy task. (Hear, hear.)

The following toasts were then given in quick succession, suitably prefaced by the proposers: —

“The Unsuccessful Competitors”, by Mr Hill. (Hearty cheers.)

“Our next happy meeting”, by Mr White.

The “Agricultural Interests”, by Mr Taylor, sheep farmer, of Willunga, and one of the Judges. (Three times three.)

“The Pastoral Interests”, by the Rev. A. Burnett, who in proposing the toast remarked, that sheep farming was our earliest friend and the foundation of our exports, that though mining was at times highly and pre-eminently profitable, it was highly hazardous and uncertain, whereas pastoral pursuits, though the source at present of less profit, were less hazardous when industriously and judiciously pursued, and in the end might prove a business of greater security and certainty than any other of the leading interests of the province.

Mr Cook, from beyond the Murray, returned thanks, apologising for his inability to do the subject justice, not merely because he was suddenly and unexpectedly pressed into the ranks of the speakers where he intended, being only a hearer, but because the order to which he belonged of semi-barbarised bushmen were so far and so long together removed from civilized society and the refinements of polished life, that they became, in spite of themselves, however rich in flocks and herds, so poor in all the parts of speech necessary to make themselves understood (laughter), that were he to attempt the task of telling them what be felt, and what he wished respecting the important interest brought under their notice, he should only succeed in failing (cheers and laughter). He could not, however, forbear some attempt at confirmation of what had fallen from the reverend mover, feeling, as he did. that pastoral pursuits would repay diligence and perseverance, a reference to his own somewhat extensive flocks in which he had contended most successfully against that inveterate foe to the shepherd, the scab would best support his sentiments, and to them he should be happy to refer his hearers. (Here, here, and cries of “Go on.”)

We may here mention that Mr Cook, who in spite of his apology stands in no need of any, is evidently a well informed and intelligent sheep master, and we trust shortly to have the pleasure of bringing before our readers some account from him of the curative process which he has so successfully applied to his own flocks.

The next toast was “Our neighbour Mr Dawe, and the Mining Interests”.

Mr Dawe, in reply, took occasion to remark that, however apparently separated, mining and farming were identical, being mutually indebted to each other and dependent upon each other. (Loud cheers, and “One cheer more for the Burra”’)

“Our Commercial Interests” was next given by Mr Knight, farmer, of Willunga.

The Chairman then gave “Mr Edmonds, and our Internal Interests”,' the toast being followed with roars of laughter and loud cries for Mr Edmonds, who promptly and good-humouredly responded, assuring the company that he was daily studying their “internal” interests, and was every day becoming wiser in his knowledge of good malt, hops, and good water, and in the proper combination of them for the benefit of his neighbours. Beyond this his botanical knowledge did not extend. For instance, be knew nothing: of sheaoak tops, which in some quarters were conceived erroneously to do as well as malt (loud laughter); for his own part, he purposed to confine his investigations entirely to barleycorns, as the best way of promoting the interests of his own brewery and the “internal” interests of those around him. He thanked them for the honour done him on the present interesting occasion.

Song, by a gentleman from Currency Creek-

"Fill, fill the bowl to overflowing,

Ye Britons, come listen to me;

I've a toast that will set your hearts glowing —

Here's a health to the Queen of the Sea, etc"

This truly loyal and patriotic song was sung in admirable style, and elicited loud applause.

Mr Norman, in introducing the next toast, said he scarcely knew a toast more difficult to do justice to than the one now committed to him; yet he did not like, in the present instance, to content himself with a silent vote. History, however, relieved him of a part of his duty. She bore upon her ample page proof how much mankind and especially Britons, owed to that invaluable blessing — a free press. If we look back (said he) but a short space, we find America indebted for her independence and her standing among the nations to the public press. What unrivetted the fetters of the slave, and let the oppressed sons and daughters of Africa go free, but a humane, a courageous and an enlightened free press? What blotted out from the Statute Book the invidious distinctions between Protestant and Papist but a liberal press? What reformed a corrupt legislature, and gave us a Parliamentary Reform, and. coming nearer tho present time, what unfettered commerce and enabled Peel to set her free but a free press? And of all places such a colony as this stood in need of an heroic public press: for without it, or with a venal one, what might we not fear? With it, what might we not hope? It might be fearlessly asked whether, but for the press of this colony, that obnoxious impost, the harbour dues, would not have been inflicted upon us? Whether, but for that press, we should have had the satisfaction of seeing the baneful decree withdrawn harmless by the very Governor who originated it? Honour to whom honour is due; and where is it more justly due than to the men who take a pleasure as they find an honourable avocation in supporting the rights of the community, and in diffusing throughout it useful knowledge and intelligence of the highest interest ? On the present occasion they were indebted to the public press for the attention they were experiencing at its hands through Mr Stephens, and for affording them an opportunity of giving a hearty welcome to a gentleman who came amongst them that day, as his representative, and as the representative of the colonial press; and with tastes so congenial to their own, as to render his visit highly acceptable to the Committee and to all of them. With these remarks, he would give “Mr Stephens, Mr Grundy, and a free and active public press”. (Three times three. With a hip! hip! hurra!)

Mr Grundy acknowledged the toast in a speech, interspersed with some useful observations and an anecdote, which produced in some parts considerable merriment, and was attentively listened to throughout; but the length of which precludes our reporting. Mr G. sat down amid the most cordial cheers, followed by one cheer more, and “For he's a jolly good fellow. For he's a jolly. &c.”.

Mr Grundy then proposed “The Ladies of Willunga and its neighbourhood”. (Cheers, and “Here's a health to all good Lasses”.)

Mr Loud, the Secretary, next gave “The visitors who have honoured us with their company today”. He sincerely hoped they might live to come amongst them another and another year, to cheer them with their presence and patronage. He was sure the health would be done justice to, for he could not do them too much honor, for they were all “jolly good fellows”. (Loud cheers with the Kentish fire.)

Mr Chamberlain, in acknowledging the toast, on behalf of himself and other visitors who bad requested him to do so, regretted that more were not present from the metropolis of the province; many, who he was aware had intended being with them, were no doubt prevented from the enjoyment of the day by the recent death of a respected Brother of their order whose funeral took place only on Sunday; others he thought might have arranged to have been present had the advertisement appeared somewhat earlier, a point adverted to by a previous speaker (Mr Grundy). In the absence of one friend at Mount Barker, who was unavoidably prevented from attending, he had a communication to make which he trusted might prove as acceptable as a long speech, in the shape of a guinea subscription.

Mr Taylor then proposed with an animated introduction, the health of their worthy and respected Chairman, which was responded to with about nine times nine, musical honours, and “One cheer more because we like him”)

The Chairman returned thanks with much feeling, and proceeded to call upon Mr Edmonds for a song, which that gentleman gave in excellent voice and style “In the days when we went gypsying, a long time ago”.

Mr Pritt then gave, with a suitable reference to their exertions in connexion with the occasion, “Our worthy host and hostess”.

Mr Atkinson returned thanks, assuring the company it gave him much satisfaction to have contributed to their enjoyment, and hoped the company present might on future occasions honour him by taking shelter under his “Bush”.

Mr Thomas Colton, jun. then gave “The young ladies of Willunga and its district”. (Cheers and laughter, followed by loud calls for Mr Norman, who, on rising to acknowledge the toast, remarked “it was evident from the strong call upon him, an impression existed that he was peculiarly interested in the toast just given, and certainly if having been instrumental in introducing seven daughters into the district gave any one an interest in the subject they had a pretty fair right to consider him an interested party (Cheers and laughter). Leaving, however, self and private interests out of the question for the moment, he most cordially thanked the company on behalf of the young ladies of the south for the manner in which they had been noticed. From what he (Mr Norman) knew of them they deserved as did the married ladies too, more from us than we can do for them. (Laughter and cheers.) He sincerely hoped that the young men around him would be wanting in nothing as regarded their duty to the young ladies (Renewed laughter); but that as men they would in their day and generation faithfully, affectionately, and at all times discharge their duties to that interesting portion of the community (renewed laughter); and might they all long live to enjoy their intimate society and the fruits of their devotion to that fairest part of creation which he now so imperfectly represented”. (Loud and long continued laughter.)

Want of space forces us to pass over numerous other toasts and remarks connected with the evening's proceedings, and to content ourselves with merely enumerating the following: — “The land we live in”, Song — “The land, the solid land”, Recitation, admirably given by Mr Norman— “The pugilist Death”; “The land we left, and the friends we left behind us”; “The Emerald Isle “; “Old Scotia”; &c, &c...&c.

The major part of the company left at a little after ten o'clock; but the remainder, under the leadership of the Secretary, kept up the conviviality till a more advanced period of the night, during which some good songs and glees afforded much gratification to the company, thus concluding a day of evidently high interest to all present: and we doubt not that their maiden Ploughing Match will long prove, with its interesting accompaniments, a day of pleasing and satisfactory remembrance and comment to the cheerful, happy, and hospitable ruralists inhabiting the picturesque and fertile hills and valleys of Willunga.

PJT Comment: This article was first found by my mother in her state library researches. She appended this with the comment “Drunk 135 times. Hope the horses knew the way home”.

PJT’s mother’s comments

1. The “Bush Inn must have been the original “Bush Inn”, close to the site of the present one (a red brick building – 1890s to 1900s.

1. The medal presented by Mr Norman to Mr Foreman is still held by the Foreman family, by information courtesy Ruth Bazendale, National Trust of SA, Willunga.