N.Z. sheep ‘good to shear’

Press, 28 February 1980, Page 3

N.Z. sheep ‘good to shear’

PA Masterton New Zealand sheep are good shearing from a shearer's point of view, according to an Australian, Mr Bernie Walker.

Mr Walker is chairman of the Euroa Shearing Association which hosts the Goldr en Shears in Australia, and is in Masterton for the duration of the Golden Shears contest.

“I went to the shearing school held for the overseas shearers at Linton and was very impressed,” he said. "It was a tremendous idea to run such a school, and most beneficial to the shearers.

“The thing that impressed me the most was the atmosphere and the spirit with which they were participating. The Australians reckon it was the opportunity of a lifetime, shearing in conditions like that,” Mr Walker said.

The sheep in New Zealand were very different fro: i the Merinos shorn in Australia. ‘‘They are very good to shear provided you can hold on to them,” he said. Mr Walker and Mrs Walker will return to Australia next week. They have travelled to Taupo and Rotorua since they arrived in New Zealand about a week ago. The elimination heats in the Junior Golden Shears were completed at Masterton yesterday morning.

Results of these were: G. C. Williams (Urenui), 6min I.2sec. quality points 90.4817; Miss C. Walford (Feilding), smin 43.75ec, 89.69; R. Whitelock fFeilding), smin 29.1 sec, 89.5867; C. J. Camnbell (Christchurch), 5.24, 87.7583; P. Wildermoth (Taumarunui), 5:52.7, 85.9067; M, Payne (Palmerston North). 6.2, 87.1083; N. Saxton (Hawera), 5:23.5, 85.7; J. Tango (Kaikohe), 5:35.9,. 85.4967; P. J. Rodger (Heriot), 5:55, 85.375; M. W. Hutton (Wyndham). 6:30.7, 84.215; Miss S. Muir (Feilding), 5:49.49, 83.9633; M. J. Robertson (Rangiora), 6:17.6, 82.995.