WAIRARAPA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7029, 18 January 1910, Page 8

WAIRARAPA

FROM CUE OWN CORRESPONDENTS. MASTERTON AND DISTRICT. January 17. An old resident of Eketahuna, Hr Edward Fowler, died in V.h.lington last week. 31 r J. P. Findlay, who resided for a considerable time in Eketahuna, has been appointed an assistant inspector of stock. Nearly sixty men are attending tho Ekotohuna Jlounted Rifles’ camp. The Masterton Y.31.C.A. has now a membership of 239. an increase of 64 since the beginning of the year. The sum of £l4O has been promised towards the building extension fund. The following judges have consented to act in connection with tho 3lasterton Show next month: —Horses— Harness classes, 3lr T; Newman /Nelson) ; draughts, 31r J. Elliott (3liddle- ■ march, Otago). Cattle—Herefords, 31 r Hector Booth (Feilding); fat cattle, 3lr R. Stevens (Danuevirke); Jersevs and Ayrshircs, 3lr J. A. 3lcCrca (Whakarongo). Sheep—Lincolns, Mr E. Barriball (IVaiuku); Loiccsters, 51r J. Reid (Darfield, Canterbury); Romney Marsh ewes, 3lr H. V. Fulton (Dunedin); Southdowns, Mr J. Johns (Belfast, Canterbury); fat sheep, 3lr 31. Baird (Hastings). Pigs—Mr RPorrott (Sanson). Dogs—Mr S. Johnson (Palmerston North). Agricultural produce—3ir J. E. 3lacassey (Napier). Vegetables—3lr W. 11. Taylor (Levin). Fruit and flowers —3lr H. Poolo (3Velliugton). Bread, scones, cakes and preserves—3lesdamcs 3V. 3lcKenzie and W. Perry, and the Education Board’s teacher of cookery. Judges have yet to be obtained for tho Romney rams classes, Shorthorns, Shropshire® and tho farmers’ classes. Some difficulty is being experienced in securing the services of South Island judges on account of harvesting operations clashing with tho date of the show. However, tho association has been very successful in securing some-of the best judges available. The 'Masterton Shearers’ Union lias decided to forward the following .remits to tho Shearers’ Conference which is to be held in Wellington in March next:—(l) That forty-eight hours shall constitute a week's work, work to cease at 12 noon on Saturdays: (2) that all experts be required to hold certificates of competency; (3) that all sheep be made free from dags at the sheepowners’ expense upon being shorn; (4) that tho inspector of accommodation be authorised to examine the sanitary conditions of woolsheds; (5) that no member be permitted to use: broad Comb’s unless same are provided by the sheepowner for all hands; (6) that candidates for membership who have in the past refused to join, and who are unable to give satisfactory reasons for same, be charged double entrance fees.

Mr J. F. Darcy, general secretary of the New Zealand Federated Shearers, who is at present in Masterton, and acting for the local branch, has forwarded a letter to Mr G. Sykes, secretary of the Masterton 1 A. and P. Association, in the course of which he says; ‘ ‘ln regard to establishing a registry office for the engagement of workers, particularly of shearers and shed hands, as both your society and ours maintain offices, such an undertaking . would require little . additional .expense, add would be productive of great benefits to both parties. My union, base no desire to interfere ih any way in the choice of employees. Wo recognise that employers liiavo an absolute right to a free hand in the matter, our only concern being to assist shearers and others in securing tho maximum employment at a minimum of cost and inconvenience, 1 and to /protect them from tho rapacity of tho privately run registry offices. The advantages to sheepowners would ibe equally great. Should these objects commend themselves to your members, I trust the matter will receive careful and favourable consideration, and-we can. afterwards consider the question as to what way and to what .extent my union can assist in the matter..