THE AUSTRALASIAN AXEMEN'S ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13391, 21 January 1907, Page 8

THE AUSTRALASIAN AXEMEN'S ASSOCI ATION.

CHAT WITH Till-: FOUNDER

( lIY TKI.KURAJ'H. —OWN COBHKSI'OXDENT.]

Christciu*R< h, Saturday. Tut: Hon. H. A. Nicholls, M.L.C., of Tasmania, was th" founder of the Australasian axemen's carnival, and with him a representative of the Press had an interesting chat this morning. Mr. Nicholls was a Tasmanian settler, and as a worker in the early days he saw that if the men Wen- to fie kept in the forests they must be given something to interest them in their work, something they could talk about and look forward to. In 1891 he originated th* Axemen's Association with this direct object. The first letter he wrote on tie- subject was to the late Sir Robert Hamilton. who was the Governor of Tasmania. Sir Robert had had early struggles himself, and he replied in a most encouraging letter, with which he warded a substantial cheque. This wa- tin starting point of tile association, winch has now it- kindred associations all over the colonies. Undoubtedly. Mr. Nicholls states, it ha- had the effect of materially reducing the cost of forest clearing'. During the 15 years of its existence the association has paid away £8600 in cash prizes, and about £10.000 altogether, including cost of timber and other expenses. In Tasmania uxemanship has attained a popularity greater than that of any other sport, and much greater crowds are attracted to its carnivals than to any local races or athletic sports meetings. The sport is clean and honest, and although Mr. Nicholls do,not pose as an advocate of total abstinence from alcoholic liquors, be points out as a notable feature of its history that all champions have been either total abstainers or practically so. The Tasmanian Association, as the parent body, conserves to itself the privilege of holding all the world's championship events in Tasmania, but this year three championships were awarded the NewZealand Association, and that is how tinworld's championship chop, with standing blocks, was won by Chellis at Eltham. Mr. Nicholls speaks very strongly on the subject of the unlit timber, which is rimu. from Southland, supplied for the Exhibition contests. He points out that it i.- naturally disappointing to an axeman who has raised the money to come all the way from Tasmania or Australia to see the log he has to cut. and recognise at first glance that he has no hope of winning.