RAKAIA EWE FAIR

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25128, 8 March 1947, Page 6

RAKAIA EWE FAIR

ANOTHER GOOD SALE The Rakaia ewe fair yesterday was Another excellent sale for all classes of sheep, and values were firmer than those at either of the two other fine-wool fairs earlier this week. The entry was, as usual, mixed in quality, but there was a market for all sorts at full current prices. The entry was typical of a Rakaia offering, and contained a selection of local sheep of widely varying breeding and condition, as well as a substantial entry of sheep bought at earlier fairs and elsewhere by dealers. The,total was about 7000 against 7500 last year, and of these 2000 were two-tooths. A large improvement in the condition of the sheep was obvious. Some lines were not carrying much condition, but the favourable season allowed breeders to bring forward their ewes in much better condition than normal. The two-tooth entry, particularly, contained many lines of excellent quality and condition. The majority of the young ewes were finewoolled, but several useful lines of Romney and Romney cross were included. The sale began very well, with sales of two-tooths at prices above Amberley and fully up to Hawarden. A slight slackening was apparent later. The best of the old ewes were also dearer than at Amberley and fully firm on Hawarden, though as with the two-tooths, the style of sheep is so different that anything like an exact comparison is difficult. In most cases older ewes bought at Amberley for resale at Rakaia were turned over at a profit. The sale afforded additional proof that a good market exists for all classes of ewes in Canterbury this year. The farmers who buy at Rakaia are habitually canny purchasers, but yesterday their limits were more elastic than usual. The best price of the day was 445, paid for a pen of two-tooth Romneys from the estate of S. Cross (Chertsey). Another pen of Romneys from the same vendor made 435, and 43s was paid for 65 first-cross Romney halfbreds from N. W. Adams (Dunsandel). Four more sales were made at 40s or more.

The best price for four-year ewes, of which there was a good selection, was 32s 6d, and five-year ewes made to 235. A line of four-tootfes made 345. Among the most interesting entries in the fair was again the large annual draft sent down by E. J. F. Grigg (Meadowbank, Marlborough), which totalled about 2000 head. The six-tooths and eight-tooths made from 20s 6d to 265, against 15s 3d to 23s last year. Top price for two-tooths last year was 455, and for aged sheep 235. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., sold ©n account of : Estate S. Cross (Chertsey): 72 two-tooth at 425, 72 two-tooth at 435, 72 two-tooth R. H. Maidens (Lauriston): 60 two-tooth N. W Adams (Dunsandel): 65 two-tooth at 435, 60 two-tooth at 40s. S. A. Boyce (Dorie): 130 two-tooth at 27s 6d, 100 two-tooth at 30s 6d. D. E. Grigg (The Do-ones): 69 two-tooth at 30s 6d, 43 five-year at 18s, 200 four and five-year at 20s 6d. 100 four-year at 23s 6d. Westenra Bros. (Dunsandel): 20 twotooth at 39s 6d. R. D. Westenra (Dunsandel): 30 fiveyear at 16s. Mrs D. F. Grigg (Lowlands): 60 six and eight-tooth at 20s 6d, 110 four-year at 21s 6d. H. T. Grigg (Hororata): 70 four and five-year at 23s 6d, 300 four-year at 225. J. G. Maclachlan (Rakaia): 135 fouryear at 225. E. F. J. Grigg (Meadowbank, Blenheim): 194 six and eight-tooth at 265, 477 six and eight-tooth at 21s 6d to 23s 6d, 691 six and eight-tooth at 22s 6d, 159 fiveyear at 14s 9d, 320 four, six, and eighttooth at 20s 6d. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., sold on account of:— Lucas Bros. (Pendarves): 96 two-tooth at 37s 6d. Estate David Jones (Dunsandel): 50 two-tooth at 365. C. C. Holmes (Rakaia): 130 four-year at 295, 269 four-year at 31s, 130 four and five-year at 245. J. F. Langley (Rakaia): 186 four, six, and eight-tooth at 275. National Mortgage and Agency Com-s pany of New Zealand, Ltd., sold on account of:— E. Duncan (Te Pirita): 331 five-year at 20s 6d. 198 five-year at 16s to 16s 3d, 81 four-tooth at 26s 6d. Dalgety and Company, Ltd., sold on account. of:— A. T. Robinson (Bankside): 92 twotooth at 315." W. L. Harrison (Dorie): 63 five-year at i 225.

LAKE TEKAPO SALE “ The Press ” Special Service TIMARU, March 7. With an offering of-about 7000 sheep, the annual sheep sale at Lake Tekapo proved the most buoyant sale of the 194647 season in the South Canterbury district. Buyers from all parts of the South Island competed for Merino and halfbred ewes and wethers, which commanded satisfactory prices considering the set-back stock received during the bad spring. Principal sales were:— Account Simons Hill: 279 halfbred ewes tour-five-year, 16s 6d; 290 two-tooth wethers, 265; 404 wethers lambs, 17s 6d. Account The Wolds; 274 halfbred twotooth wethers, 25s 6d. Account Richmond Station: 112 Merino wethers, 13s 9d. Account Glentanner: 106 Merino ewes, 6s 6d; 360 at 12s 9d; 329 Merino wethers at 17s. Account Tekapo Station: 210 Merino ewes at 10s. Account M. M. Mayhill: 59 halfbred wethers at 20s 3d, 316 two-tooth at 23s 6d. Account Braemar: 190 Merino ewes at Us, 115 Romney ewes, four, six, and eight-tooth, at 265, 167 at 28s, 142 halfbred ewes, four, six, And elght-todth, at 13s, 247 halfbred two-tooth wethers at 25s 2d. Account Holbrook: 166 halfbred twotooth wethers at 24s lOd. Account Maryburn; 80 half bred twotooth wethers at 245. Account Haldon Station: 827 fresh fullmouth Merino ewes at 18s 9d, 616 soundmouth Merino wethers at 17s. Account Mount Cook Station: 200 fresh full-mouth Merino ewes at 21s, 377 soundmouth Merino wethers at 265. Account Glenmore: 200 halfbred twotooth wethers at 28s, and 317 at 275. Account Ferintosh Station: 152 soundmouth Merino wethers at: 18s. Account Cox’s Downs: 110 sound-mouth Merino wethers at 19s 3d, 118 soundmouth Merino ewes at 21s 6d Account Lochinvar Station: 133 soundmouth Merino wethers at 19s. Account Streamlands Station: 77 four and six-tooth Merino ewes at 25s 3d. J9U four-year Merino ewes at 235. Account Balmoral Station: 175 Merino ewes at 12s.