ALLEGED SHEEP-FAKING

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10566, 23 February 1912, Page 5

ALLEGED SHEEP-FAKING

EVIDENCES AT MASTERTON SHOW. OPINIONS OF THE JUDGES. Twelve months ago the Wairarapa Age, supported by a number of the leading settlers of the district, instituted a crusade against sheep-faking ;for profit. The matter was discussed in all its bearings, and the A. and P. Associations throughout the Dominion considered it.in its. relation to future exhibitions. The 'Slasterton Association has aclause now in its regulations, which says that ''the giving •of a prize to a sheep shall imply that the judges are satisfied that such sheep is fairly shorn." In previous years the words "or fairly trimmed" were added to this clause, but these words were eliminated, as it was considered that trimming 'was not a wholesome practise. A representative of the Age took tho opportunity on Wednesdays of consulting several judges, on the question of trimming and' other forms of "faking." "Do you consider there was excessive trimming in any of the classes at the present show ?" was a question asked one of the judges. "Emphatically, yes!" was the reply. "Do you think the trimming was calculated to deceive the public?" "I do. In certain cases 'sheep were awarded which I would have no hesitation in passing out. The .wool in .some cases was four pr five inches long on the neck, and only an inch* or two on other parts of the body." "Is this carrying the trimming process to excess-?"-"I am firmly of opinion that it is. A certain amount of trimming is jus- "" fined, but where a carcase has been shaped iby the trimmer m that its imperfections- are hidden to- the public, a great wrong is being done." '"'. "Did you notice any other evidences of faking'?" "Not in particular. Some of the sheep bore evidence of having been oiled, but not excessively. The trimming was the worst feature, and I am surprised that sheep .handled in this way were given prizes." Other judges and breeders who , ~ were spoken to admitted that the trimming in some cases was very pronounced. One breeder emphatically asserted,*that it was calculated;to.deceive the. public,, particularly in-'■the, ram fail*;. ring.