COMMERCIAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 18 February 1926, Page 7

COMMERCIAL.

SALE OF SOFTHDOWNS

PEAK PRICES REALISED. The dispersal sale of Mr. Joim Donald’* Southdown *tud at Westmere attracted sheep-breeders lrom all parts or the North island. The .sale was conducted by Wright, Stephenson and Co Ltd., and was the most successful sale of Soutlulowu sheep ever held in the Dominion, according 1o veteran breeders in attendance. The sale had become necessary owing to Mr. Donald s recent decision to extend his stud or thoroughbred horses. It attracted a very large attendance, thoroughly representative otj all parts of the Dominion, and the sale right through proyoked particularly keen and spirited bidding. Four imported rams, one bred by his Majesty the King, had .been used in the flock, in addition to the importation some two years ago direct from his Majesty’s flock at Sandringham of five particularly fine ewes. The imported sheep and their progeny proved a great attraction at the sale. Mr. Donald had wisely distributed the imported blood through the Hock, and that it had left its mark was clearly demonstrated in the prices paid tor all the sheep of Mr. Donald’s own breeding. The first pen of sheep offered was the imported ewes, bred by the King. Although three and a half years old, bidding for the quintet was exceptionally keen, aiul ultimately at the New Zealand record price tor a pen of any breed of ewes —200 guineas —Mr. AY. H. Field, ALP.. became the purchaser. Record prices for New Zealand bred ‘South(lowns were also paid both for one-shear rams and ewes, and a further record was established by the high average paid for the entire flock of 200 sheep —£13 4s per head. The average prices paid were as follow: 38 stud rams, 24 f guineas; 31 ram lambs. 12 guineas; 37 one-shear ewes. 12 guineas; (II mixed aged ewes, 10 guineas; 30 ewe lambs. ,5 guineas. For the one-shear ewes the New Zealand record price' paid was 35 guineas, by Mr D. 111. Goodrich. Otane, Hawke’s Bay. This ewe, which was bred by Mr Donald, was sired by the Flail of Derby ram and was out of one of the imported ewes. Thirty guineas was also paid for one of the older ewes bred bv Air R. McDonald. Dannevirke, which was taken by Mr Harry Falloon, Masterton. Messrs G. R. and H. Hutchinson. Auckland. secured two excellent one-shear owes- at 21 guineas apiece, one being out of an imported ewe by the Duke of Richmond ram, and the other by the Brocklebank ram. Mr H. L. Best, Shannon, paid 20 guineas for a ewe by the Fail of Derby ram. Bidding oii the imported threeshear ram,.Bart-low H 56. bred by Rev. C. H. Brocklebank, commenced at 50 guineas, and Messrs G. B. and .IT. Hutchinson became the purchasers at 90 guineas.. A. magnificent, one-shear ram bred by Mr. Donald made the record price of 150 guineas, after a spirited three-corn-er duel, the purchaser being Mr Robert Bremor, AVaverley. This ram was sired by the .Brocklebank ram and was out of one of the King's ewes. These five ewes, together with t-hcir nine progeny, including the five lambs, realised the great total of 630 guineas. In view of the fact that Air. Donald yarded the sheep in natural condition, not having resorted to trimming or hand-feeding, the sale was quite a remarkable one.

Among the purchases were: One-rsiiear ewes.—T. Lupton, Waverlcy, one at 16 guineas. Older ewes.—T. Lupton, one at 12 guineas; H. Falloon, Alasterton, one at 16 guineas and one at 30 guineas ; J. R. Taylor, Manutahi, five at 6 guineas.

Stud rams.—C. J. Hawken, Alokoia, one at 13 guinea* and one at 20 guineas; A. Alexander, New Plymouth, one at 10 guinea* and five at Ilf guineas; Campbell Bros.. Alanutahi, one at 16} guineas; T>. Ro»ss, Kai Iwi. one at 36 guineas and one at 33 guineas; R,. Bremer, AYaverley, one at 150 guineas; J. Rl. Taylor, one at 47 guineas; Campbell Bros., six at 19 guineas.

Ram lambs.—o. J. Hawken, one at 31 guineas,,one at 7 guineas, one at 16 guinea*, one at 26 guineas, six at 8 guineas, and five at 3 guineas; G. McGregor, AYaitotara. one at 20 guineas; T. Lupton. five at 9} guineas. Ewe lambs.—O. J. Hawken. two at 15 guineas; J. R. Taylor, one at 13 guineas; John J.upton, ten at 3j guineas.

WANGANUI WOOL (SALES,

The New Zealand Loan and Mercan lik Agency Co., Ltd., reports as under :

“We Laid our third sale of the present wool-soiling season on Tuesday. v\ e submitted a catalogue approximating some 2200 bales, ox winch we succeeded m disposing of 70 per cent, at auction. The selection of wool was not so good as that of last sa:e, Joining mainly composed of back country clips, which were thinly grown and ol tender staple. Many lots also carried a fair percentage of seed. Buyers were in lull attendance and competition at the Present level of values was keen and sustained throughout. The bulk, of the competition was from Continental buyers who purchased freely. Bradford was also in evidence for any wools showing soundness of staple.

‘Wallies as compared with the previous sale at this centre were somewhat disappointing to the majority of growers and prices fofleece wool ruled on an average from Id to ljd lower. Lambs wool, of which tlieite was a good selection, met with excellent competition, and was purchased mainly uy Continental operators at a level of values unchanged from previous sgles. Pieces and oddments \tfere somewhat heavy in condition, but sold wel| up to recent rates. •

The following are some of the prices realised for woo) from the Hawera district:—RCS : H lid, E lid, Lbs 93d. IIKtST: A 12d, B llid, C 10jd. M lOd. JK/O: E, l<)Jd; JSH: E and W, lid. Be verier: H, 13d. EA 113 d, EB 103 d,

• igs. Old. G: HA 12‘d, A 12Jd, B 1 lid, C IOJd, Pcs. S.jd. JHP: Wsh. Pcs. A 93d, Wsh. Pcs. B, 7Jd. "WGP: E. lOd; BCG: E lid. HT, Rom. H, LO.UI. Rom. H 9f'd. Mokoia : BL, 10Jd, A 12.Jd.