SHEEP SHEARING

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 75, 21 December 1921, Page 8

SHEEP SHEARING

BY MACHINE AND BLADE. MODERN V. OBSOLETE. PUBLISHED BY ARRANGEMENT. Whether the modern shearing machine is becoming obsolete and is rapidly being replaced by the old blade ahears is a question that is causing a stir at the present time. Dr. D. E. Hansen, Director of the Christchurch Technical College, holds that view, and in Monday’s Dominion there appeared an extract from the "Lyttelton Tinies” referring to a statement reported to have been made by him in that connection. Strong exception is taken to the remarks by Messrs. Levin and Co., Ltd., who are indubitably the pioneer agents of the shearing machine in New Zealand, as they consider them detrimental to their business. Messrs. Levin and Co. have been the agents in the Dominion for shearing machines since 189(1, and therefore should be in a position to gauge fairly accurately the popularity or otherwise of the nilicliines. Moreover, it cannot be conceded that Dr. Hansen’s remarks are borne out by actual fact. It is admitted that there are a few owners of sheds who have reverted to blade shearing, but they have chiefly been, the owners of sheds in the high country, such as the Mackenzie and Central Otago, and it has been in no way a general practice. Only last, month the company completed the erection of new plants in both the districts referred to, and one shed in the former locality is by far the highest in the district. The client in question has an extensive knowledge of shearing—both blade and machine—in cold country, in hard cutting sheep, and is thoroughly convinced that he will derive better results from the machine shears. Commencing in 1890 os agents for Wolseley Sheep Shearing Machine Company, Messrs. Levin and Co., Ltd., continued until 1910, when they were appointed the New Zealand agents for tho "Lister” machine, and their record m one of which any firm can justly be proud. During the last eleven years (Iley sold and erected between 7000 and 8900 complete stands of machines, and until the present depression of the wool market each successive year has eclipsed the previous one. That in itself is proof positive that blade shears are not regaining popularity at tho expense of the machines; and .also that the fi-m should be in eve, y " a 3' as eonversont with the present conditions of the shearin-' machines as Dr. Hansen is. That the above facts are no mythical theory was demonstrated to the writer, who paid a visit of inspection to the sheep shearing machines department vesterdny. There lie found everything conducted on the most iCp-to-date lines, it being as simple a matter to locate the most diminutive component item as it was to lay one’s bands upon the finished article itself. This branch has proved itself to be an absolute nccossitv to the sheep farmer who shears bv’ machines, and any defect in the nbiehine he has purchased can he remedied at a moment’s notice, for the depsrlment caters for the small as well ns the "reat. The rooms are excellentb equipped, and the maintenance work is carried out bv a staff of experts. F.verv vcir the farmer is circularised, requestinc- him to forward his machine for overhaul, as a result of which good shearing is ensured, the farmer is sa -s--f>ed. nnd tlmre is a general trend in the of economising the mainten-

“lint Levin and Co.’s activities do not rest there. They go as far as to initiate gratuitously at any time the farmer nr son, a» the cn«o may be. m the nrt of manipulating the machine Hundreds upon hundreds of students have nnssed through the free tuition course. m<l when they have sufficiently satisfied the experts as to their ability they are f„rni«hs<] with testimonials. Tt is interesting to note that the Maoris, many of whom h-'ve graduated nt the classes, are most apt pupils, and have invariably “made good.” Tn answer to a query the writer was informed that failures at the clashes were unknown quantities, and flint the students spoke in the highest forms of the manner in which they had received their tuition.