HINDON.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 39

HINDON.

December 5. — The excessive heaf experienced during tho past week culminated in a severe thunderstorm and a fall of rain of several hours' duration. It was much wanted to stimulate the growth of tho pasture-s that were languishing- under the raging gales of wind that have prevailed here for a considerable time pa6t. The fch-eep-farmer*. have finished tvith the mustering of their flocks for lamb-mavking purposes, and T am glad to report that in many instances a higher percentage of lambs has been recorded than was expected to be the case a short time ago by a number of the small flockownera here. I note that Messrs Macdonald Bros, have started with the shearing of their sheep at their homestead station, and the wool is turning out well. The shearing of Mr Allan Boyd's Hlndon flocks is announced to commence during the current week (weather permitting), with Rocklands to follow. The gentleman in question has had no difficulty in securing the services of a band of men to ehear hw entire flock of sheep. And here I would (protest against the amalgamation, system of labour carried on for many years in the interior, whereby one band of men were- engaged to «hear the sheep of two, and is .some instances three, large stations, with the Tesult that "learners could not obtain « footing on a, shearing board, where a band of professional shearers held the right to object to any outsider being taken on to learn shearing work. The several station man-

agers are greatly to blame for not allowing a number of amateurs annually te learn the work of shearing. Little wonder that shearers have become scarce uncial such a system of station management.