TIMARU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

Press, Issue 11564, 22 April 1903, Page 3

TIMARU A. AND P. ASSOCIATION.

At a meeting of the Committee of the Timaru A. and P. Association on Saturday, the Christchurch Meat Company forwarded tlie returns from London of sheep which were sent Home for sale in competition for a special prize offered by tho Company. The prize was for the best pen of five wethere suitable for freezing, any cross, weight not to exceed 641b. The award was made partly in Timaru, the sheep being judged tliere for general quality and partly in London, where they were further judged by the sale of the carcases. Three pens competed; one owned by the New Zealand and Australian Land Company (Levels Estate), another by Mr Edwin Kelland, and the third by Mr S. Mackenzior The prize fell to Mr .Kelland's pen, the others being disqualified for being over weight. The judging in Timaru for general quality placed the Land Company's sheep an easy first. The returns from London were as follows : — The Levels Estate exhibit of five sheep averaged in freezing weight 79.401b; sold in London at 5.07 d per lb; average weight of fat, 9.201b per head; value of skins, 5s lOd each; net prooeeds, after deducting charges, £8 8s 4d; net value per lb, 5.105 d; average value per carcase, £1 13s :9d. Mr Edwin Kelland's exhibit, five sheep, average ' freezing weight*, 61.801b, sold at 5.34 d; average weight of fat, 6.401b per head; value of skins, 5s each; net pror ceeds, £6 19s 9d; net value per lb, 5.427 d; average value per cairoase, £1 7s 11.4 d. MV S. Mackenzie's exhibit, five sheep; average freezing weight, 67.601 ib; sold at 6.25 d per lb; average weight of fat, 8.601b per head; value of .skins,-' 5s 9d each; net proceeds, £7 13s sd; net value per lb, 5.446 d; average value per carcase, £1 10s 8.2 d. . The Mowing are the London salesman's remarks on the sheep: — Levels—''This lot was very mixed, some of which were too fat and wasteful, and not good butchers' sheep in any wayi" Mr Kelland's sheep—"These sheep were very prime in quality, and, in our opinion, good butchers' sheep in every way." • Mr Mackenzie's sheep—"These were five very good sheep, quality prime, and good butchers' sheep." (Mr C. N. Orbell (manager of the Levels Estate) said lie was confident that there had been some, mistake when the sheep were killed in Christchurch, for one of hi* sheep had been returned as weighing a little over 601b, while the others weighed 801b and over, and he was quite sure that there was no such difference between the weights. Bis belief was that an inferior sheep had been killed in place of one of those which was in his pen. It seemed to be the general opinion of the meeting that the Christchorob Meat Company's prize would be more appreciated, and give 'better satisfaction, if it were given for the sheep realising the best price at Home irrespective of weight. A short discussion took place on a subleader which had appeared in the Christchurch "Press" relative to the attitude the Timaru Association had taken in refusing

bo assist the Canterbury Association with, their Harvest Festival. Tha President said that the sub-leader had given an' opportunity for placing all the facte before the Christchurch Association, and the late President had done this in a very forceful way. Tne correapondence, he thought, had done good, if they might judge from the fact that the Canterbury A. and P. Association were now endeavouring to mcc* tie wish of tha Timaru Association, in regard to fixing permanent show dates. Twenty-seven new members were elected, which is a record, at least for a very considerable time past.