WANGANUI A. & P. ASSOCIATION

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13500, 9 October 1911, Page 7

WANGANUI A. & P. ASSOCIATION

In every walk of life the tendency is for machinery to supersede manual labour. It is the skilled artisan against the unskilled workman. ; This applies equally to the manufacturer and the farmer. With the latter there has been a eomplet metamorphosis as regards the, present-day modes of farming iu comparison with what was in vogue a quarter of a century ago. On the larger sheep stations the old-tihie blade shearer has had to make room 'for the machine shearer, and not only the large sheds but many of the smaller sheds have now their 2 to 4-stand machines,, so that, except in isolated cases, the blade shearer is not wanted. But here is where the danger lies for the small man, for he cannot afford to install a costly plant, and must necessarily depend upon the blade .shearer to see him through. In the olden days when it was “Smoko ho!” or mealtime the rouseabout generally tried hia, maiden hand, and thus frequently became "a fairly good shearer before the season was' over. Now with the machine, at “Smoke ho !’" or meal time the engine is turned off, and the novice has no chance of becoming initiated iu the mysteries of shearing. With the object of encouraging our young men to take np blade shearing, the Association have this year put a blade shearing competition on the programme, 1 open to all lads under 20 years of age- Mr Ewen Campbell has generously donated A3 3s as a'first prize aud £2 2s as a second prize, whilst Mr Ernest Morgan Iras given half a guinea as a reward to the runnerur. JVe trust to see these special prizes attract keen competition. Entries will bo received any time np to the date of the Show. General entries close on Wednesday. Ist November. Schedules may be obi tabled from the secretary of any Agricultural Association, and Mr Morton will be pleased to post one to any address on receipt of post-card to box 152, or ring on telephone for 222,