STRONG COMBING MERINOS,

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14507, 8 November 1912, Page 7

STRONG COMBING MERINOS,

Thero was also a fair decrease in tho strong-combing entries to record, but the. bad luck of one well-known breeder had something to do with this. Thero was littlo to complain about regarding quality, although tho competition was not exceptionally keen in any of tho classes. Compared with the last two shows tho entries wore as follow: — 1910 51 1911 63 1912 ... ... 45 Tho judge was Mr James Bell, who got through his work very cxpoditioush*. It was certainly a day out for tho Brookdalo flock, for Mr A. W. Rutherford, jun., took practically all tho premier awards. Meritorious as this feat undoubtedly was, it cannot bo denied that ho won in a weak year, and but for tho bad luck experienced by Mr Jas. Stevenson, tho resuits might very probably havo been different. Mr Stevenson was unfortunate enough to loso somo of his best rams, through dipping, nnd it was a great pity that the regrettablo accident occurred, for it would have innde things moro interesting if his worthy representatives had been present in greater force. Tho championship went to a Bungaree.ram shown by -Mr A. :.W. Rutherford, jun., and bred by -Messrs H. C. and. R. M. Hawker, of South Australia. This was tho same ram that gained similar honours last year; and thero is no denying that he is in the front rank. Tho second ram. in tho open class and the reserve champion was also a Brookdalo sheep, bred by Messrs J. azd A. Hay, of Tho Glens, South Australia, and both these sheep wore brought over from Australia in 1910. AH the ram classes but ono wero won by Mr Rutherford, tho exception being in the pair of ram hoggets, which was won by Mr E. B. Millton. Mr Stevenson annexed a couple of blue cards in tho male classes. Tho champion ewo was bred at Brookdalo. being of the right Murray blood, and competition was good in all tho female classes. The open wont to Brookdalo. with Mr Stevenson second; tho chief prizes in two-tooths were all Mr Rutherford's, but in the pair of ewo hoggets Mr R. D. D. McLean scored with n Kaiwara couple shown by Mr W. Macfarlane second.

Tho following were the winners of tho strong eombintr champion, hip since 1002:— 1002—Mrs W. NicHollß. ram and owe. 1303-4-5-6— Mr A. W. .Rutherford, ram and ©WC m tt m 1007—Mr J. Stevenson, ram; Mr A. w. Rutherford, ewo. _ 1908—Mr J. Stevenson, ram; Mr A. \v. Rutherford, «we. , 1903—Mr J. Stevenson, ram; Mr W. Macfarlane, ewo. 1010—Mr R. D. D. McLoan, ram; Mr W. Macfarlane, owe. 1911—Mr A. W. Rutherford, junr,, ram; Mr R. D. D. McLean, ewe. 1012—Mr A. W. Rutherford, junr., ram and ewe.