Minister Describes Angora Goat Test

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31596, 6 February 1968, Page 10

Minister Describes Angora Goat Test

(New Zealand Press Association)

TIMARU, February 4

A controlled experiment is being undertaken in some areas of New Zealand 'y*y' Angora goats, the Minister of Lands (Mr Maclntyre) said on Saturday.

The experiment was to produce some mohair and control sweet briar.

Mr Maclntyre told the Mackenzie branch of Federated Farmers that it was possible to clip up to 91b of mohair from each animal. Goat hair prices average about 70c per lb, and kid hair about 110 c per lb. The Angora goat had once been farmed in New Zealand, Mr Maclntyre said, but the bottom had fallen out of the mohair trade with the slump. “There is also an unsatisfied demand in New Zealand for goat meat killed in the slaughterhouse,” the Minister said.

One Hawke’s Bay farmer had received $3.80 a goat. “Angora goats are considered to be somewhat deli-

cate,” Mr Maclntyre said. “But if they can stand the South Island climate it is worth running some goats with sheep to control sweet briar.” Mr Maclntyre said that although running goats with sheep sounded strange, there was a possibility that this could be done.

Properties Sold. —Two properties, one a bungalow at 58 Rutland Street, which was passed in at public auction on January 1$ f° r $6400 and the other, two brick flats at 570 Gloucester Street, which were passed in at auction on January 19 for $5BOO, have been sold by private treaty. The properties were offered on the account of the Estate of Alvin Matheson by Smith’s City Market, Ltd.