Early traders shipped fat sheep to the London market

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33067, 7 November 1972, Page 26

Early traders shipped fat sheep to the London market

New Zealand’s early traders were extremely enterprising. Even after the first early shipments of frozen meat to the United Kingdom, fat sheep were bought here and shipped on the hoof, to be sold later in London at a worth-while profit.

An account of one such shipment is given by the agricultural correspondent of the “Otago Witness” of

Two hundred and fiftyone fat sheep (wethers) were purchased at Bumside by Mr Brydone, manager of the Australia and New Zealand Land Company, and loaded into the steamer, Banffshire. “The New Zealand and Australian Land Company, under Mr Brydone’s management has never been behindhand in enterprises and experiments likely to result in the progress of our farming interests, and this experiment is one more example of their enterprise,” said the report. The correspondent, in inviting readers for their views on such things as feed for sheep in transit, suggested that a chaffcutter would be a useful item, so that either clover, hay, or oaten hay could be cut up daily and fed into troughs “as it would perhaps be fresher that way, and would possiibly save a good deal of wastage that may occur in the feed racks.” The cost of shipping and landing the sheep in London, as furnished by Mr Brydone, were:—

“It will be seen that these sheep cost 34s 7d landed in London,” the report continued. “The sheep consisted of 200 very fine large threequarterbred wethers from Edendale Estate, and the estimated weight was 801 b to 851 b. “The other 50 were a very pretty lot of halfbred wethers from Otago Central, and were purchased at Bumside yards by Mr Brydone as first-class types of what halfbred sheep should be.

“They were as nice a lot of sheep as ever a butcher looked at, were prime quality, very even, and would average 701 b in weight. "Mr Nicolson, of Ida Valley, Central Otago, who bred the sheep, is to be congratulated on having done honour to Otago Central in participating in what, I think, is the second trial shipment from New Zealand of live sheep, the first being also from Otago Central about a month ago £ s d

when Gladbrook sheep went in the S.S. Buteshire.” Describing the shipping facilities, the correspondent said the sheep were all comfortably housed in the poop in pens of from nine to 10 sheep, with hayracks and feeding trough. “One man, Mr Duff, is in charge of the sheep, but Captain Coull and his officers are taking a lively interest in the matter. “Mr Brydone personally superintended the shipping, which was promptly done, and the arrangements all seem so complete and effective that I shall be surprised if the sheep do not land in good condition.” “They may fall off a bit for a week or two, but after that, when they take to the hay, they will improve. It strikes me that it might be well to shear sheep before shipment, in view of the hot weather in the tropics.

The fleece of those sent, however, was perhaps not too heavy. “Sheep like these in size and quality bring up to 50s at Home, so that, despite the apparently heavy cost of transit, there seems to be a good margin.

“I believe that Messrs Turnbull, Martin and Company, the shipowners, are as usual enterprising enough to go halves in this venture, as in the last, and I sincerely wish Mr Brydone, the Land Company, and Messrs Turnbull and Martin prosperity in this venture, and still greater prosperity to one and all should the trade progress, as I hope it will do.” Ten weeks later—on May 16, 1895—the Otago Witness carried a report on the arrival of the sheep in London, and the financial out-

come of the venture. It makes particularly interesting reading. “In connexion with the Banffshire live sheep shipment, the New Zealand and Australian Land Company has received a cable from London to the effect that the shipment arrived in good order, that they were suitable for the Home market, and sold at 43s for the crossbreds and 38s for the halfbreds.

“This result hardly bears out the instructions which constantly come out from the frozen meat salesmen not to ship heavy sheep, as they are not in favour at Home.

“The crossbreds by the Banffshire were big, coarse sheep, which I estimated as averaging 801 b, but perhaps 751 b would be a fairer estimate.

“The halfbreds were 101 b I lighter, and of very good: quality. Taking the cross-) breds at 751 b, realising as) they did 435, that gives l 6.88 d per lb, and the half-) breds at 651 b. realising 385.) give 7d per lb; so that the) difference is really immaterial.

“The result of the shipment comes out as follows: "Freight. 10s per sheep. "Feed, fitting and attendance. 13s 7d per sheep. "Total charges, £1 3s 7d per sheep.

"The average price realised for the crossbreds and halfbreds, 251 in number, was 425, which leaves 18s 5d per sheep here. There may be some London charges against the sheep, but the fittings which cost £4O. should be

worth something in London. “The company put the sheep on board at Ils. and Turnbull. Martin and Company charged 10s for freight, but any surplus realised over Ils was to be divided between the two companies, and as there is a surplus of 7s sd. the New Zealand and Australian Land Company will get 14s 84d for their sheep, and Turnbull. Martin and Company will get 13s 84d per head for freight. "Mr Brydone. his company. and Messrs Turnbull, Martin and Company, are to be congratulated on this pioneering experiment being so successful. It was never anticipated that all 251 sheep would be landed alive and in good order ”

Clover hay (4d per head per day)—22 tons 6cwt 2qtrs, at 57s 6d .. 64 3 6 Bran (11b per head per day)—12,5001b at 45s per 20001b 14 0 0 Linseed (Jib per head per day)—H tons, at £12 15 0 0 Peas (jib per head per dav) —1| tons at £5 6 5 O Cabbages—10 sacks 2 10 0 Total cost of feed 101 18 6 Straw—5 tons at 40s. 10 0 0 Railage on above .. . 6 10 0 Fittings 12 10 0 Water tank .. 2 10 0 Harbour dues .... - 2 1 9 Insurance 2 4 0 Man in charge 20 0 0 London charges—Is per head .. 12 10 0 169 14 3 Freight (including freight on fodder, etc.) 10s per head 125 0 0 294 14 3 Cost of transit as above .. ■. 13 7 per head Value of sheep here .. 110 1 14 7