Can Tell Every Texture and Quality

NZ Truth, Issue 1148, 1 December 1927, Page 6

Can Tell Every Texture and Quality

QUITE naturally you assume that a woolbroker is one with_ a deep and overwhelming knowledge of the raw article — wool. But it is possible that the term may cover a finished acquaintance with fleece. A subtle distinction with a world of difference.

There is every reason, however, to believe that wool, rather than fleece, is the absorbing topic at a meeting of the Wellington Woolbrokers' Association.

While there might be a hundred good reasons why R. G. Anderson should be chairman of the association, there are at least two outstanding ones. He has business acumen of no mean order, and his knowledge of wool covers every quality and texture that comes from the sheep's back. Just as you expect the man from Taranaki to talk intelligently of butterfat, so dp you look to the individual from the sheep province for downright information regarding wool. And if R. G. Anderson can .distinguish, at a glance, a Merino fleec© from a Romney, a Border Leicester from a Corriedale, it is merely because he learnt the rudiments o.f wool on the rolling pastures of Hawkes Bay. No one knows better that wool-growing is not a simple busineas_ of turning sheep loose on hillsides and watching the wool grow. The old-time .shepherd has given way to the man of science and judgment. Not for many years has R.G.A. browsed m sunny pastures. His rendezvous is the busy oity rialto. A oheerful, genial chap, his expression has lately been more than usually serene. A most excellent cause, m sooth. The wool sales have commenced. Men from far countries want our fleece and are paying good prices. The smile of R.G.A. is but a reflection of the sunshine brightening the whole of Cockledom. Just for a while he threw aside business oares to take part, m the big world strife. If he never pulled the wool over Fritz's ears it is yet oertain that he directed to his discomfort some hefty sorap-iron from an eighteenpounder battery. As a "sort of corollary to wool, he is a big chief m the Farmers' Distributing Company. Keen billiard-player and club-man, he keeps a neat and sane balance between absorption m business and the social side of existence.

So far he has abjured the ties of domesticity, but he has affection to spare for cricket, golf and other outdoor games.