Mount Richards Road

Manawatu Times, Volume 59, Issue 262, 9 November 1934, Page 10

Mount Richards Road

Prom Our Own Correspondent. On Guy Fawkes’ eve the firmament was shot with artificial stars in burlesque celebration of history. A large number gathered round a tremendous bonfire where smoke-blackened faces and scorched fingers went unnoticed in the enthusiasm of a time-honoured ceremony. Shearing is now in full swing and the .Mount Richards sheepfarms are hives of industry. Work commences at daybreak and ends long after sundown. Morning sees the shepherds mustering their flocks towards the woolsheds where the long fleeces are torn asunder by the throbbing machines. Shearing supplies work for everyone. The dogs, with damp hair lying in lank strands against their panting sides play an important part in the big work of the year. One glimpses them lying alert on the rolling ridges to snatch short respites betw’een the mad dashes after breakaway sheep. Kitchen ovens seem to be capablo of consuming unlimited quantities of wood and dough at this time of the year. The wood is thrown out in a thin grey haze of smoke and the dough in nicely browned cakes ready to appease the hungry palates of the men in the shed. “Smoko” is known as the magic word that causes the house-workers to sigh, and the shearers to raise their hot faces .and beam upon the “fleeco” who announces the glad tidings. For ten minutes they forget about record-breaking tallies and sip piping hot tea amongst the bales which are filled and tumbled to earth by the tall woolpresses. • Misses A. Roberts and M. "Wingate were visitors to Palmerston North last week. Misses Eileen and Rita Duffy have returned home after a lengthy holiday at Kimbolton.