STUD SHEEP EMBARK FOR SYDNEY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 99, 20 January 1939, Page 10

STUD SHEEP EMBARK FOR SYDNEY

Liner’s Hold Converted To Sheep-Shed

A longdrawn baa of ovine complaint was the goodbye of 400 stud Southdown ewes and lambs, New Zealandbred, to,, their native soil, when they embarked on the Wanganella yesterday for Sydney, to improve the standard of the flocks of New South Wales. The liner’s forward hold was converted to a sheep-shed for the trip. The sheep were from the Carrington stud of Mr. W. Howard Booth, Carterton, who was on the wharf to see them off. They were the main portion of his entire flock of 457, sold through the New Zealand Loau and Mercantile Agency Ltd., to Mr. W. J. McSweeney, The Rivers station, New South Wales. The remainder will be shipped by the Awatea next week. Their departure brings to a close the history of a stud flock held in high repute among the Southdown breeders of the Dominion for its high quality. It was founded 30 years ago by the purchase of 100 ewes and a ram, and was one of the oldest Southdown flocks in New Zealand. The sheep were brought down by rail from Carterton, arriving at Wellington early- yesterday morning. They were taken by lorry to the wharf, and there driven into a light pen holding about 15, in which they were swung aboard the liner by derrick. Lowered into the fore hold, they were drafted into pens built round the sides of the bold. ’They appeared to settle down immediately, munching hay placidly. Dry feed, Of course, will be their fare for the next few days.

Many stud Southdown sheep are sent over the Tasman yearly to improve the Australian strain, the New Zealand flocks being held in high repute. Southdowris and Lincolns are also exported to South America, principally to the Argentine. Though that country might well import directly from the United Kingdom, she prefers to draw on small and distant New Zealand for much of her stud stock, a high com pliment to Dominion breeders. Sheep bound to South America face a sterner journey than those merely travelling across the Tasman: the Cape Horn passage takes them down nearly to 60 South Latitude, and entails travel through cold seas where the spray freezes solid on the stanchions and deck fittings, and on the crates in which the sheep are customarily shipped. Experienced men are sent to look after them. (Picture on page 7.)