GERALDINE EWE FAIR

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22050, 25 March 1937, Page 21

GERALDINE EWE FAIR

ENTRY OF ABOUT 16,000

TOP PRICE OF 40 SHILLINGS

FOR TWO-TOOTHS

[THE PRESS Special Service.]

GERALDINE, March 24.

There was a keen demand for all good lines, and more particularly for ewe lambs, at the Geraldine ram and ewe fair to-day, and the sale was an animated one. The entry totalled between 15,000 and. 18,000, and these were all yarded in excellent condition and graded in good even lots. Buyers were present from all parts of South and Mid-Canterbury, and although it was the last of the South Canterbury ewe fairs for the season it was apparent that the demand for good breeding ewes and lambs has not yet been fully met. , .. Top price was 40s for a nice line of 86 Romney cross two-tooth ewes sold on account of Commander A. D. Boyle, and a further line of 100 of tne same breed, sold on account of Mr J. J. Earl, Orari, brought 39s 3d. Top price last year was 33s 9d for 500 three-quarterbred two-tooth ewes sold for Orari Oorge Station, and this was also equalled by a line of 84 twotooth sold by Mr R. B. Morrison, Clandeboye. The Orari Gorge three-quar-terbred two-tooths this year brought 35s A specially interesting feature of the Eale was the exceptional demand for ewe lambs, and top price for these was 29s 9d for a line of 109 sold for Mr J. S. Barker, Four Peaks. About 200 rams of various breeds were yarded, and these were all sola privately, prices ranging from 2gns to Bgns. The range of values was as follows: Ewes—Best two-tooth sold from 35s to 40s, medium from 32s 6d to 355, and ordinary from 29s to 325. The best lines of four-year-old ewes brought from 30s to 32s 9d; good lines from 27s to 29s 7d. Foiir and five-year-old ewes brought 24s to 26s 9d for good lines, and 18s 9d to 22s 3d for medium lines. The better failing-mouth ewes brought 14s 9d to 17s 9d, arid old ewes from 8s to lis 6d. Lambs—Best ewe lambs brought from 29s to 29s 9d, good sorts from 24s 6d to 265, and others from 19s to 22s Bd. Rams—English Leicesters from 2gns to Ogiis, Border Lelcesters from 3gns to 7gns, Southdown Borders from 4gns to Sgns, Corriedales from 2gns to sghs, and from 3gns to s l ghs.

Many species of birds have been completed destroyed because of the demand for their feathers for feminine adornment. ,___