SHEEP FOR BRITISH EAST AFRICA.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 12014, 15 October 1904, Page 5

SHEEP FOR BRITISH EAST AFRICA.

, MR McCOLLS PURCHASES. Mr S. McColl, manager for Lord Delamere, 1 lie owikt of Kquator Ranch at Njuro, British East Africa, a largo tract of country that has s been taken up with .1 view of experimenting in stock breeding, has completed his purchases of sheep in Canterbury, and has returned to Wellington. Mr McColl, as previously reported, purchased 483 Lincoln and Roimiey sheep in the Wuiranrpa, and he has suppHncnUd these with merinos and Corriedalcs bought from Canterbury breeders-. Tho long wool alicep nre for hi* employer, who -intends not only to ctabliali- flock's of these sheep but to cross thorn with thi> native sh"cp of the country. The latter have poor, kempy wool, ahout half an inch in length, iind make indifferent mutton, but it is hoped that something might'be done by grading up with longwool breeds. The merinos axe for a company that Isolds a large tract of country adjoining Lord Delamere's ranch. Mr McColl first visited Australia, where ho could have purchased cheaper- theep but decided to come on to New Zealand, where he considered he would get- thcep with stronger constitutions, mid therefore moro suitable to experiment with in the new country. Mr McColl, who was assisted by Messrs Dalgety and Co;, in transacting his business in this colony, purchased from Mr A. W. Rutherford, of Mcndip Hills, 106 maiden merino ewes, and 26 ram hoggets, including five studs. There sheep are descended from rams imported from the flock of Mr A. J. Murray, South Australia. There i« a demand for iiurray sheep for the rough country in Central Australia, and the st-lcction from Mr Rutherford's flock should be suitable for South Africa. These sheep nre clear of wool on the face, which isindispensable in rough country, and the ewes been on rough country and in the snow for a part of the. winter, so that they aro not pampered in any way. They have large-frames and are well Voolled," and it may be mentioned that at the London sales this year the greasy fleece wool from Mr A. \V. Rutherford's flock «>ld at Is Id und pieces at/ Is per Ib. Another purchase of Mr McColl's was 29 ram hoggets from Messn* Enwir Bros.; Mount Gr*y. They arc descended from Tasmania n rams, and are remarkable fnr their fine quality of wool. Another lot were 60 merino ewe hoggets 'and eight lialfbred ewe hoggfta, purchased from Jir J. D. Millton, Rakahuri, and are hardy hill sheep with good constitutions.. Another purchase was 30 merino ewe hoggets from Mr E. B. Millton, Birch Hill, a> good conditioned line and heavily woollexL Mr McColl also bought 55 Corriednle> ram; hoggets from Mr .las. Little, Dalmeny, Hawarden. Tho she>ep were shorn prior to their being shipped. The experiments will be watched with considerable interest by New Zealand sheep breeder?, and if it turns out a. micce*s, it is probable that .still larger shipments will bo required from this colony.