WORK OF HERD-TESTING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24094, 13 October 1941, Page 2

WORK OF HERD-TESTING

SIX GIRLS AT MATAMATA One example of the war work undertaken by women is that of the sampling officer's employed at the Matamata depot of the New Zealand Herd Testing Association. Here six girls have replaced men who have been called up for the army and, although inexperienced, have come through in the opinion of the officer in charge, Mr. ,T. Raethel, with flying colours. The girls, whose names are not given at their own request, have been drawn from different walks of life, and their work is definitely a war effort. Their day's task, covering never less than 12 hours, commences in the early afternoon, when they leave the depot in time to catch the afternoon milking. After the samples have been taken all gear is thoroughly washed and packed away ready for the next farm, if an immediate return to the depot has not to be made. In returning, the depot has to be reached in time to allow of all samples taken being tested, bottles and other gear washed, and the wholo packed in time for another afternoon's milking. The girls travel on an average 300 miles each month in the course of their duties, attending 146 herds, or an average of 82 cows twice each day. They are paid at the same rate as the men.