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.

RACING At one time the Maori, with few exceptions, confined his interest in horseracing to an occasional flutter with the local ‘bookie’, and attendance at meetings somewhere near to his home. The Otaki-Maori Racing Club in recent years has won a reputation for conducting one of the best country meetings in New Zealand, and has placed the Maori on the official racing map. This progressive Club, under the guidance of men like Nepia Winiata, is offering stake money and attracting a class of field which would do credit to many clubs in the larger centres. It is interesting to note, too, that the race cards for most North Island meetings now include horses owned by Maoris. Some notable successes in recent times have been Mr George Asher's ‘Rareka’, with impressive wins at Rotorua and Franklin; Mr ‘Doc’ Tatere's ‘Maire’, which won at very handsome odds at Marton; and C. Renata's ‘Golden Eve’, which took the main race at Foxton on November 28. Other prominent owners are Mr Emery, of Rotorua; Mrs R. Wehipeihana, of Ohau; and now I hear that Mr Wallace Tako, who went to England for the Coronation, bought a £900 steeplechaser in Ireland which he intends to race this season. I understand it has been aptly named ‘Royal Tour’. Perhaps the best-known figure in Maori racing at present is owner-trainer Eric Ropiha, formerly of Otaki, and now of Woodville. He has become in the last two years one of the most successful trainers, with good performances at most meetings, and a brilliant New Zealand Cup win with the former good stayer ‘Conclusion’. His own horse, ‘Wally French’, raced under lease, and Mr McColl's ‘Finito’, have been consistently in the money, and it is not too much to suggest that one or the other could have collected one of the coveted cups or classics this season. There have always been a few Maori jockeys, and some have been at the top of their calling. Ashley and Roy Reid, who both lost their lives on the track, were champions. Bill Broughton, one of the best ever, has some Maori blood. So has Grenville Hughes. There are many more, but of the young ones I would like to mention Mokaraka, of Rotorua, whose splendid judgment and careful riding was very largely responsible for Balgarvie winning the big steeplechase on his home course at Labour week-end. Broughton, as well as being one of the outstanding horsemen of our time, is also president of the Jockeys' Association.

GOLF At the New Zealand Championships, T. P. Jones, of Taumarunui, again qualified for the Amateur Championship play-off, but after a win in the first round was eliminated. In the Amateur Plate he produced good form to reach the final. He eliminated Glading, an ex-New Zealand representative, and went down in the final to Jeffries, who will represent New Zealand in England this year. Farmer, of Gisborne, is a young golfer who played a steady game last season, and I forecast that he may produce a few surprises at the next Maori tournament. He and Rongo Halbert took part in the Bay of Plenty championships at Whakatane, and Farmer went through to the final. He was beaten by Thornton, of Rotorua, who is one of the best of New Zealand's country players. While speaking of golf I am sure that those who attend the annual Maori tournament will be interested to learn that Toki Carroll, genial official at most recent tournaments, is now in the King Country. For some years Toki has been stationed at Raupunga, near Wairoa, as a Maori Affairs Department farming supervisor. He will now be stationed at Te Kuiti. All golfers will wish him good fortune in his new district.