THE SHEARING COMPETITION AT WAIPUKURAU.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 913, 1 February 1868, Page 2

THE SHEARING COMPETITION AT WAIPUKURAU.

The first shearing match in the inland district took place at the farm of the Hon. 11. R. Russell, at Waipukurau, on Tuesday, the 21st instant, tliat gentleman having given the use of his shed and yards for the occasion.

Notwithstanding the shortness of the notice, and the unfinished state of the shearing in some of the largest sheds, which prevented the attendance of many who would otherwise have been competitors, there was a considerable gathering of shearers, and a large attendance of sheepfarmers and others. The prizes were four in number — the first, £3; second, £2 ; third, £1 -, and fourth, 10s. There were three judges, and Joseph Rhodes, Esq. (the only representative of the northern district who responded to the special invitation of Mr. Russell), kindly volunteered his assistance as a fourth. He was assisted by Mr. A. Grant, Mr. Tiffen, and Mr. Canning. The object of the competition was to encourage good shearing — not only to get sheep evenly and closely shorn, but, in addition, that the fleece should be carefully preserved whole and free from such waste as that caused by the wool being doubly cut, from the shears passing twice over the same portion of the body. The following rules were laid down by the judges, who, with Mr. Russell, constituted the Committee of Management : — ■ 1. Three sheep to be shorn within threequarters of an hour ; any shearer not finishing his sheep within the given time to be disqualified. 2. No double cuts allowed. 3. The fleeces to be carefully kept whole, and the wool to be free from waste. 4. All sheep to be opened up underneath the wool, and cut through the fleece, so as to avoid waste. 5. The legs and points to be thoroughly trimmed. 6. All skin cuts to be counted, and judged accordingly. The judges were present during the shearing, and carefully watched the shearers to see that the rules were properly complied with. The fleeces certainly presented a very even appearance. After a considerable time occupied in carefully examining both sheep and fleeces, the following were the awards : — First prize. — James Walker, shepherd to Te Hapuku. Second prize. — Inia Whangataua, ,of Takapau. Third prize. — Nguha, of Patangata. Fourth prize. — Hori Tawhai, of Waipaoa. Out of the nine entries, five only finished their pens within the appointed time, four of whom were entitled to prizes. Porikaapa was disqualified through the careless shearing of one of his sheep, otherwise he would unquestionably have taken a I high prize. The judges had some difficulty in deciding between Walker and Inia. The nervous state of the Maori shearers generally, seemed to have affected Inia, who was the favourite before starting ; Walker, however, having trimmed the sheep better, though, the cuts were about equal, was awarded the first prize. Walker is quite a young shearer, and, having shorn only a few sheep this year, great praise is due to him for the manner in which he carried off the palm ; but he shoxild certainly learn to avoid skin cuts, or in another year, with probably an increased number of more experienced shearers, he will be in the rear. The manner in which he trimmed the heads and finished the necks was particularly admired ; and, in addition to this, his sheep were better and more evenly shorn than those of the other competitors. luia has fallen back from his old style, but is a beautiful shearer. His sheep were very nicely shorn ; in skin cuts he was about equal with Walker, but want of trimming about the head, and inferior shearing about the neck, justly deprived him of first honours.

JNTguha's shearing was much admired. His sheep, being very heavily and closely woolled, were far more difficult to shear than those in any other pen. He was allotted third honours.

Hori Tawhai, who sheared steadily and most perseveringly, obtained the fourth prize, with a very fair pen. His last blow closed with the judges call of " time."

The sheep shorn were ewes of Saxony and French Merino blood, selected from the general stock for breeding purposes, and put to Mr. Russell's pure Saxony Merinos. The fleeces, on being weighed, averaged 4£ lbs. of well- washed wool. Subjoined are the weights of each three fleeces :— Walker's, 13£lbs ; Inia's, 12£lbs ; Nguha's, lSflbs; Hori's, 131bs ; Porikaapa's, 13 Jibs ; total, 15 fleeces, 67pbs. In addition to these weights, sundry "pieces " were taken, from the fleeces and thrown under the wool table. The fleeces presented a most even and uniform appearance, and were deservedly admired ; they at once proved the great benefit to be derived from good and proper shearing, being free from waste and coming to the table-in excellent order.

On the invitation of Mr. Russell, the company proceeded to the Tavistock hotel to luncheon. About twenty-five settlers, from various parts, did ample justice to the good things provided, and various questions having reference to the interests of the settlers generally, were discussed. " Hard times " were talked over, but there seemed to be prevalent a wise and steady determination to meet them; boiling-down establishments, rival bankers, and rival mercantile establishments, had their fair share of attention. The successes and failures of hot-water washing, with and without spouting, were likewise considered ; and shearing, the principal object of this successful meeting, under the able auspices of Mr. Russell (to whom the settlers generally are, as on many prior occasions, deeply indebted) came in for the principal share of discussion.

At the present time, wlien so much, is urged in. favour of culling our flocks, of improving our sheep and keeping only superior animals, as well as of hot water, with soap and soda and spout washing, it is most desirable to effect improvements in shearing. Instead of reducing the price, it would bo advisable to shear a reduced number in. a better and more workman-like manner. There is no lack of good shearers, and it may be that the fault rests with the employer more than the employed. So long as some sheep farmers encourage the present reckless style, and the men are allowed to " tomahawk " their 100 or 150 a day, an. improvement in the style of shearing cannot be looked for. Every shearer should run his shears, not closing their points \intil tho blow runs out ; in ordinary shearing nothing beyond an inch blow should be allowed — close-woolled sheep require even a smaller blow ; the shed should be thrown open, and only the best hands employed. If neighbours were to agree amongst themselves as to time of shearing, there is no reason why flockowners should not obtain the object desired — namely, a better style of shearing, and the wool all taken off and sent home in the best mar- j ke'table state. In the wool reports we fo'tf^oMi 1 ' find., our wool classified as V ordinary, ill-conditioned, and wasty." By pursuing "a "proper course, we can undquMeSly, MWi We! l i<&nfe $MofoMj raise the c^te^^ur^w^, al*

encouraging good shearing is one of the most important steps towards it. ( At the close of the meeting it was una£ nimously agreed that a working com- r mittee, consisting of H. R. Russell, Esq., J. D. Ormond, Esq., and T. Tanner, Esq., should be appointed to consult with the settlers generally throughout the province, but more especially with those, in the vicinity of Napier, as to the propriety and best mode of establishing an improved and more satisfactory style of sheep-shearing throughout the province.