WOOL-CLASSING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2765, 21 March 1910, Page 3

WOOL-CLASSING.

PROPOSED INSTRUCTION CLASSES.

There was only a small, and by no means representative, gathering oc farmers in the Farmers’ Union rooms on Saturday afternoon, at the meeting called to consider the question of establishing a course of instruction in wool-classing, in connection with the Technical School.

The Mayor, who presided, said that they_ must all admit that the proper grading and classification of wool was a necessary and important thing, especially .in a district such as Poverty Bay, the main product, of which was wool. Careful classification had an extremely important bearing upon the return, and lie feared that farmers did not fully appreciate its advantages. The bulk of the classing in this -district was at pro sent done by Maori elassers, who had no idea, of the requirements of the Home market. Mr C. A. deLautour said that the matter was a little more urgent than it perhaps appeared to- be, but an effort should be made to have the classes established by April. This would be tile best time, as up to September it would cover two terms of twelve weeks each. After referring to the success which has attended the establishment of similar classes in Christ church, Napier, and Wanganui, where, after a couple of years’ stud" fairly good instructors were turned out. Mr. deLautour referred to the many advantages to be gain, ed by instruction in wool-classing, and claimed; that the wealth of the district would be materiallv added to by the spread of expert knowledge. For a six months’ season, a sufficient number of students would be reouired to make up a sum of £IOO, and then there, would be the Government canitation. The idea at pvesent was to have a principal class in Gisborne which might be attended by the employees of the mercantile firms that deal in wool and a iso by those from the farms within easy reach of town. Then elasses could be established in the country, but for each of these latter 12 students would be requried at £1 per term. He suggested the appointment of an advisory committee of farmers, to give the benefit of their practical experience, and stated that if sufficient pupils joined l to pay expenses, the Board of Governors would take the risk of appointing an instructor for at least one term.

Mr. W. Morgan road tho prospectus of tho classes held at Napier, which, he said, included skirting and rolling fleet's, wool sorting, valuing, etc. The idea, was to have an itinerant instructor to travel round the district and to hold classes which would only be. recognised by Government if carried on for at least ten weeks. Mr, J. C. Field moved that a committee. be appointed to work in the matter, in conjunction with the High School Governors, as he realised that there was a great deal in the proposal. It would he of immense benefit to the district, as although they had a general idea of wool-classing, they had not anything like enough experience. He had, he said, visited the classes which were held in Masterton and Feilding, and found that they were most successful, a keen interest being shown by farmers and others. The motion was seconded by Mr. YV. 8011, and Messrs J. C. Field, W. Jones, and W. Bell were appointed with power to add to their number. In reply to queries, it was stated by Mr. deLautour that at ieast fifty students would be required in the district. The fee. would be £1 per term of twelve week-, with one lesson of two hours’ duration each week. The Chairman said that the proposal to quote from woolbrokers’ reports to had his lieartv support. He proceeded show the difference in the returns from wool properly and improperly classed. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding..