AMBERLEY EWE FAIR

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25741, 1 March 1949, Page 8

AMBERLEY EWE FAIR

GOOD SALE AT LOWER PRICES

SHEEP SHOW EFFECTS OF DRY WEATHER

Prices at the Amberley (southern section) ewe fair, with which the North Canterbury season opened yesterday, were lower than those of last year, but were nevertheless better than many vendors expected in view of the extreme shortage of feed in down-country districts. It has been very dry along the coast from the Ashley to the Hurunui, around Amberley, and in the Omihi valley, from which the bulk of the offering is drawn, and the sheep offered yesterday were showing the effects. 1116 yarding totalled 21,719 head, of which 5527 were two-tooths. Last year the offering was 23,563, of which 7119 were two-tooths. A dry summer in 1948 was followed by a mild but dry winter and, since fair rains fell in October, the district has had little or no rain at all. The condition of the older ewes was not far short of last year’s reasonably good standard, and was surprising in view of the shortage of feed this summer. The two-tooths were plainly showing the effects of the prolonged dry spell, and were smaller and in lower condition than is usual at Amberley. The two-tooths have had little encouragement to grow almost since they were weaned, and their lack of size is not to be wondered at.

When the sale began, a large gallery watched proceedings, but it was soon evident that last year’s prices would not be forthcoming for aged ewes, even for exceptionally good lines. The sale settled down at about 2s 6d to 3s a head below last year’s sale for four-year ewes, ana remained on about that level until the end. Two-tooths started out better than aged ewes, with the first few pens at about last year’s rates to a shilling lower. The sale then became rather erratic, and remained so to the end. The best of the two-tooths, where they were in forward order and showing the exceptional breeding that the best at Amberley do, were dearer than they were last year. The 10' lines that rose in price rose by an average of 4s 6d, but the majority were cheaper by an average of 3s 6d. Many farmers want ewes badly, but until they can see feed for them they will not buy. Unlike the hill country breeder, the farmer can afford to wait for an improvement. It is encouraging that where condition justified it, good prices were paid for ewes yesterday, but condition was demanded in return for good prices.

Top price of the sale was 565, which was 3s higher than last year’s top price. It was paid fpr a pen of 75 from A. J. Sloss (Cairnbrae), who sold another pen of 75 for 475. A. E. Herbert (Shellrock) received 53s for 70, and D. W. J. Gould (Mount Cass) received 49s for a line of 142. For a pen of 60 from R. Little (Cannobielee), 47s was paid. Two good sales were a line of' 291 from M. Fitzsimmons (Greta Vale) at 41s to 445, and a line of 150 from D. C. Gardiner (Dovedale) also at 41s to 445. < R. and J. Little (Seaview) topped the four-year prices with a line of 429 which made 445. McEvedy Bros. (Blvthe Downs) sold a line of 382 at 43s 6d. Blythe Downs ewes topped this section last year at 45s 6d. Lines of 403 from G. A. McLean (Cotswold), 337 from the estate of J. R. Maxwell (Glen Gynk), and 141 from D. W. J. Gould made 41s. Top five-year price was 33s 6d, which was paid for the first cut of a line of 372 from A. P. A. Nicholls (Davaar). The rest of the line made 325. I. R. McKenzie (Gorrie Downs) sold 62 at 31s. R. C. Overton (Raumati), who topped last year’s fair at 41s. sold a line of 173 at 30s. and Gibbs Bros. (Glenclova) sold 103 at the same price. The range of values, compared with that of last year, was:—

DaJgety and Company, Ltd., sold on account of:— Estate of T. L. Ensor (Pendle Hills), 76 two-tooth at 295. 279 four-year at 30s 6d. J. A. Courage (Amberley), 210 twotooth at 42s 6d. P. A. Inkson (Glen Park), 140 twotooth at 40s. W. L. Doak (Cattle Peaks). 216 twotooth at 445. J. B. Douglas-Clifford (Stonyhurst), 211 two-tooth at 42§ 6d to 435, 294 four-tooth at 32s to 335, 606 four-year at 31s to 34s 6d. F. A. Courage (Seadown), 72 two-tooth at 395, 195 four and eight-tooth at 38s 6d, 56 four-tooth at 30s. Watson and Topp (Waipara), 70 twotooth at 40s. W. H. B. Brown (Weldon Downs), 70 two-tooth at 395. R. Little (Cannobielee), 60 two-tooth at 475. McEvedy Bros. (Blythe Downs), 138 two-tooth at 43s to 445, 382 four-year at 43s 6d. " H. B. Douglas (Glenesk), 74 two-tooth at 355, 189 four and five-year at 30s 6d. A G. Barker (Scargill), 80 two-tooth F. C. Archer (Weka Pass), 70 twotooth at 325, 35 two-tooth at 355, 256 four-year at 34s to 35s 6d. G. A. McLean (Cotswold), 70 twotooth at 38s 6d, 403 four-year at 41s. Estate of J. R. Maxwell (Glen Gynk), 71 two-tooth at 355, 337 four-year at 41s. T. R. M. Maskew (Ashley Hay), 52 twotooth at 37s 6d, 141 four-year at 345. L. J. Briggs (Randolph Downs), 220 four-year at 27s 6d. E. O. Harrison (The Deans), 218 fouryear at 30s. R. J. Harrison (Huntsbury Downs), 119 five-year at 20s, 70 five-year at 23s 6d. Estate J. Harrison (Eskvale); 356 fouryear at 30s to 31s, 90 ewe lambs at 235. J. C. Little (Mount Vulcan), 240 four and five-year at 32s to 335, 70 four and fivt-year at 21s, 301 four-year at 30s. S. W. Deans (Kilmarnock), 68 five-year at 245, 202 four-year at 335. R. and J. Little (Seaview), 429 fouryear at 445. H. D. Greenwood (Teviotdale), 695 fouryear at 34s 6d to 355, 150 four-year at 22s 6d. W. D. Mackintosh (Glenafrie), 62 fiveyear at 21s 6d, 201 four-year at 34s 6d. Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd., sold on account of:— ' A. E. Herbert (Shellrock), 70 two-tooth at 535, 69 at 445, 257 four-year at 23s 6d to 255, 30 five-year at 14s. A Dilworth Fox (Foxdown), 74 twotooth at 19s 6d, 127 four-year at 235, 254 s.m. at 225. B Wynn-Williams (Waipara), 107 twotooth at 40s. Broomfield estate (Amberley). 150 twotooth at 425, 150 four-year at 29s Gibbs Bros. (Glen Clova), 70 two-tooth at 41s 6d, 150 four-year at 355, 103 fiveyear at 30s. . A - P- A. Nicholls (Davaar). 249 twotooth at 335, 80 at 24s 6d, 372 five-year at 32s to 33s 6d. A, G ™ Fo r b £ s < Waipara), 70 two-tooth at 435, 70 at 37s 6d. * 'YI Act °J? Adams (Tipapa). 130 twoA McL. Stewart (Lilburn), 81 twotooth at 29s 6d, 282 four and five-vear at 29s 6d. ° Wef (The Mound >. 7 5 two-tooth W. Elliot (Liddle Bank), 72 two-tooth at 33s 6d. 210 four-year at 355. H- G. Hawke (Waipara), 82 two-tooth at 25s 6d, 189 four and five-year at 15s 6d to 17s. H. G. Simpson (Chiltern Hills), 53 twotooth at 20s, 97 five-year at 22s 6d, 245 four-year at 26s 6d to 275. H. C. Greenwood (Onepunga), 70 twotooth at 25s 6d, 70 at 26s 6d, 71 five-year at 18s, 212 four-year at 28s. Luscombe Bros. (Amberley), 145 twotooth at 325, 112 four-year at 23s 6d to 245. Glen Dhu estate (Motuhau), 423 twotooth at 28s to 295, 130 four-year at 35s 256 four and five-year at 345. D. W. J. Gould (Mount Cass) a 142 twotooth at 495. 85 two-tooth at 44s 6d, 141 four-year at 41s. L. W. Ferguson (Gowan Hills), 143 twotooth at 42s 6d. H. D. Greenwood (Teviotdale). 266 twotooth at 29s 6d, 79 at 23s 6d, 72 at 31s. D. C. Gardiner (Dovedale), 80 two-tooth at 31s 6d, 150 two-tooth at 41s to 44s 262 four-year at 38s. M. Fitzsimmons (Greta Vale), 291 twotooth at 41s to 445. Estate W. K McAlpine (Spye). 68 fiveyear at 29s 6d. 327 four-year at 355. R. L. Symonds (Waipara), 105 four-year at 21s 6d. I. R. McKenzie (Gorrie Downs). 125 four-year at 39s 6d, 62 five-year at 31s. J. W. Harrison (Pinaki), 182 four-year at 26s 6d. H. Fitzsimmons (Greta Vale). 419 fouryear at 38s, 144 five-year at 28s. R. B. Johnson (Sandhurst). 72 fouryear at 32s 6d. Stringer Bros. (Te Tinii), 242 four-year at 30s L. W. Ferguson (Gowan Hills). 216 fouryear at 345. J. B. Bowker (Claremont), 363 fouryear at 31s 6d. T. M. Baker (Waipara), 148 four-year at 275. National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., sold on account of: F. A. H. Penfold (Leithfield), 54 four, six. and eight-tooth at 15s 6d, 56 four and five-year at 21s. P. M. Morriss (Berriedale), 141 four and five-year at 295. 70 four-year at 265. A. E. Hunt (Goodhurst), 145 four-year at 31s 6d. H. Matson and Co., Ltd., sold on account of:— >J Ashworth (Harleston), 161 ewe lambs at 355. C. Ashworth (Leithfield), 117 ewe lambs at 37a,

, *J- Z - banners’ Co-operative Association. Ltd., sold on account of:— J. F. Lochhead (Mount Serrat), 225 four-year at 32s 6d, 60 at 24s 6d. c - „2 verton (Raumati), 142 two-tooth , at £9 S ’^ 7 at 3051 310 four-year at 36s 6d 3 l s 6d - 57 four and five-year at 28s 6d. 173 five-year at 30s. E. A. Foster (Glenmore), 61 two-tooth at 40s 6d. C „ A - J- S,oss (Cairnbrae), 75 two-tooth at 565. 75 at 475. Mrs C. M. T. McLachlan (Palmdale), 73 two-tooth at 295. A. Stone, jun. (Scargill). 70 four-year at 25s 6d. W. H. Harrison (Omihi), 68 f.m. at 21s 6d. E. S. Sloss (Waipara), *206 four-year at 28s 6d to 30s. Spurtleton Downs (Omihi), 203 four and five-year at 27s 6d to 29s 6d, 123 four and five-vear at 25s 6d. G. Gibb and Son. (Motunau), 146 fouryear at 31s 6d.

1948. 1949. Two-tooths— s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Extra good 47 0 53 0 45 0 56 0 Good .. 40 0 46 0 37 6 44 6 Average .. 34 0 39 6 29 0 35 0 Ordinary 25 6 33 0 19 6 28 0 Four-year-olds— Extra good 41 6 45 6 39 6 44 0 Good .. 36 6 41 0 32 6 38 6 Average .. 30 0 36 0 26 0 32 0 Ordinary 21 6 29 6 21 6 26 0 Five-year-olds— Good .. 31 0 41 0 28 0 33 6 Average .. 25 0 30 0 20 0 26 0 Inferior .. 18 0 21 6 14 0 18 0