SHEARING

Te Ao Hou, Summer 1954, Page 48

SHEARING Shearing may not be commonly regarded as a sport. It is, in fact, hard, back-breaking work, but when it becomes competitive and world records are at stake, it becomes a contest in which I am sure all Maori sportsmen are interested. New Zealand's champion shearers meet the Royal visitors: (National Publicity Studios Photograph.) It seems incredible that a man can shear 456 sheep in a nine-hour day. In October I saw Godfrey Bowen, then the record-holder, demonstrating and coaching shearers on the Maori Affairs property at Brent's Farm, Rotorua, and if any young Maoris aspire to become world record-holders of the

future they would be well advised to attend one of these demonstrations. Mr Bowen is co-operating with the New Zealand Wool Board and the Young Farmers' Clubs of New Zealand in an effort to improve the standard of shearing. He is a wonderful showman, and, unlike many ‘gun-shearers' he wants to help the new chum. Manu Rangiawha, who attacked Bowen's record on December 21 at the property of the former record-holder, Mr P. de Malmanche, was a first-class man, but, although he had the same conditions and the same class of sheep as Bowen, he was unable to better Bowen's tally. Nevertheless, 404 sheep in 7 ½ hours was a great effort, and many of our people will be disappointed that the strain of this arduous work forced his withdrawal when the record was so near. This failure, however, only serves to emphasise the key point in Bowen's technique. His full control, almost gentle handling of the sheep, together with the gift of completely relaxed movement save him the strain and fatigue normally experienced by shearers.