“Hard To Compare Shearing Records”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30431, 4 May 1964, Page 3

“Hard To Compare Shearing Records”

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 3. The Wool Board field director, Mr Godfrey Bowen, said on Saturday it was difficult to compare the world sheep-shearing record set recently by Mr Colin Bosher with his own mark set three years ago.

Mr Bosher, of Te Awamutu,. shore- 565 sheep in seven minutes less than nine hours on April 13. This bettered Mr Bowen’s world ninehour mark by six and his New Zealand mark by 102. “I don’t condemn his effort in any way,” said Mr Bowen, “but point out that when numbers are reported the conditions must be taken into account.” The sheep shorn by Mr Bosher had been clipped two blows above the teats, heavily crutched and shorn behind the ears before shearing, said Mr Bowen. The sheep he used to estab-

lish the New Zealand’ record of 463 in 1961 were untouched by blades or machine, said Mr Bowen. Considering the number of sheep shorn by Mr Bosher it was a good effort. He showed top class shearing skill, stamina and endurance, said Mr Bowen, who watched Mr Bosher’s progress during the last two hours of the record attempt. Mr Bowen said there could be ho official comparison until a committee was set up that could establish standards by which records could be made. Mr Bowen made these comments before leaving Whenuapai for Britain. He will spend two months there and will put instructors through a refresher course, demonstrate at agricultural shows and on television programmes and lecture on radio and to service clubs. He will spend seven weeks in Canada, where he will demonstrate at five fairs and give lectures to clubs; He will also visit the World Fair in New York and a State fair in California. .