MASTERTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10087, 7 September 1910, Page 6

MASTERTON TECHNICAL SCHOOL

WOOL-CLASSING INSTRUCTION.

ANNUAL REPORT AND EXAM-

INATIONS.

The following i 3 the annual report of Mr Sam Wood, wool-classing instructor of the Maaterton Technical School :

"It again gives me pleasure to I give such a good report ot my classes, held at Mangaraahoe and Masterton, during the winter, and it is very encouraging to all con-, cerned to note the interest taken by students in their work. It is to be hoped that next winter classes will be formed in outlying districts, where they are urgently needed. A number of last year's students, who got up their clips according to the instruction given at Masterton, secured as high as "4d per lb more for iheir wool, which was sold in London, and highly commented upon for ! the general "get up and classing." [ During this winter I have dealt with ! the rolling and skirting of pieces, ! classing pieces, lambs, crutchings, classing fleeces, showing difference between small and large clip, and sorting according to Bradford spinning counts. The different breeds of sheep were also dealt with, and the average spinning quality of wool to be expected from the various breeds; crossing for constitution and wool; and what breeds are most profitable from a wool and mutton standpoint. The students have given practical demonstrations of rolling and skirtine fleeces, classing, and sorting pieces into their spinning counts, and have attended very regularly each week. Although wa have not had the number of students in attendance at the Masterton classes that we might have had, the classes held at Mahgamahoe, under the auspices of the School have been largely patronised and greatly appreciated."

THEORY QUESTIONS. The following questions in theory were submitted to the students at the examination held last evening: 1. What is the object of woolclassing? 2. What are crimps, secretions, tops, noils? 3. What is the meaning of counts, and what is the length in yards of lib of 40's yarns? 4. Should bales be of even weight; if so, state why and what should be the average weight per bale?

5. Why di American buyers buy only light conditioned wool, and what is meant by condition?

6. Which breed of sheep grows a radium quality of wool, and which grows a long, strong quality?

7. State which are the most popular two breeds' of sheep in the North Island, and why?

8." Give a short description of how you would class a small clip of bales; also one of 200 bales ol a crossbred nature. Max. marks, 25 per cent.

PRACTICAL EXAMINATIONS,. Practical examinations were afterwards held as follows :-(l) Rolling and skirting fleeces; (2) classing fleeces; (3) sorting according to quality. Maximum marks 25 per cent, in each section. marks, including theory paper, 100.

RESULTS. „ C. Bannister, 23, 23. 2 3 22, total 91; J. McCarley, 21, 24, 23, 22, total 90; W. H. Reynolds, 22, 22, 20, 21, total 85;, B. Hunter, 22, 21, 20, 18, total 81; H. Kummer, 23, 21, 20. 16, total 80; G. G. Mace, 20, 18, 17, 22, total 77; C. D. Fendall, 20, 22, 16, 16, total 74; C. J. Munro, 19, 19, 19, 15, total 72; J. Candy. 19, 18, 18, 13, total 69; W. H. Jackson, 2i, 18, 17, 10, total 66.

The wool press was kindly lent by Mr J. Pauling, of the Masterton Implement Co. A vote of thankf was passed to Mr Wood by the students, and three hearty cheers for him closed the classes for the session.