DUNEDIN RAM FAIR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 1 April 1927, Page 10

DUNEDIN RAM FAIR.

.STUD PRICES SHOW DECLINE. FLOCK ENTRIES IN DEMAND. (l!Y TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, March 31. The annual ram fair, held under the auspices of the Otago A. and P. Society, took place at the Burnside saleyards yesterday. There was a large attendance of buyers and vendors, and the keenest interest was taken in the proceedings. Sheep were present, from Canterbury, Mr. J. 11. Grigg’s and Air. D. G. Wright ’s studs being represented.

In the stud section, there were 23 Romneys, 9 Corriedalcs, 16 Border Leieesters, 5 Merinos and 6 Suffolks. The stud section dragged. The prices realised were not, taken as a whole, equal to those ruling last year. The top price in this section was received by Air. T. S. Little, Windsor, North Otago, who secured 30 guineas for a Border Leicester, Air. Chisholm being the purchaser. Mr. Little also obtained 16 guineas for another ram, Alessrs. Alurrav Bros, being the purchasers. Under prices for Border Leicesters ranged from 9-J guineas upwards. In the Corriedale division of the stud section, the Clifton Estate, Waiwcra South, secured 231- guineas for a ram bred by the New Zealand and Australian Land Go., and 10 guineas for two-shear sheep, bred by Air. W. Rayner.

Romney studs were keenly sought after, prices ranging from 7-4 guineas to 2-j-i guineas, the latter figure being obtained by Alessrs. Alurray Bros. (Clydevale) for three-shear sheep, bred by Air. G. E. Allen, of Alastertcn. There was a good entry of Romney Alarsh fiock rams, Alessrs. Alurray Bros, securing top price with 81 guineas for a pen of fine one-shear sheep. Alessrs. E. King and Son (Clydevale) securing 8 guineas. The sale was a willing one throughout, and at time the bidding was keen.

Prices ranged from 2;j- guineas to 81 guineas, which were a good deal in excess of those ruling in 1926, and they advanced as the sale progressed. Sheep carrying a good fleece of wool were most sought after, and it was peculiar that rams from flocks, which were not looked at during last year’s fair, were sold at high figures yesterday.

The sale was the best held at Burnside for many years. Ccrriedale flock rams found purchasers at from 4 guineas to 101 guineas, the latter figure being obtained by Air. David McKnight (Palmerston). Border Leicester flock rams were not in great supply, and the prices ruling were on a par with those which obtained at the 1926 fair.

Air. D. G-. Wright, of Windermere forwarded some 120 two-shear Roninev and Merino cress rams, but they were not in demand, and about 80 of them were sold at prices ranging from 3j guineas to 44 guineas.