COMMERCIAL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume VII, Issue 1309, 17 May 1886, Page 2

COMMERCIAL.

MR. W. COW,ERN'S REPORT.

Patea, May 17.

I held an important sale of a draft of purebred Shorthorn cattle from the Otoutu Station, the property of Mr. John Ross, on the 3rd, 4th, and sth inst. The total sold was 251 head, of which about 100 were cowß. The Otoutu herd has attained considerable celebrity, the bull Sir Hercules having proved one of the grandest animals ever bred in the colonies. His death is a great loss. The heifers by Sir Hercules and Ked Rover were much admired, being a grand lot, especially those yarded on the second day. They were, however, very wild, Mi*. Ross having been compelled to keep them on the back part of the run to make room for the choicer cattle in the home paddocks No expense was spared in advertising and issuing catalogues, giving the full pedigree of each animal, and the yardß were arranged to suit the special character of the sale. The weather could hardly have been worse; for days prior to the sale it rained in torrents, and continuing in showers on each sale day; the second day's sale closed in pouring rain. The attendance was comparatively poor, and the bidding spiritless and dull, except in a few instances. I have no doubt whatever, but that the prices would have been, at least, 15 per cent., and possibly 50 per cent., better had the weather proved more favorab'e.

Bulls. — Of the four offered, three sold as follows: — Red Rover 9J guineas, bought by Mr. Sparks, of Ngaire; Sir Roger, 28 £ guineas, bought by Mr. Winks, of Hawera ; Sir Garnet, 2nd (18-months), 50 guineas, bought by Mr. Morgan, of Rahotu ; Sahib, same age, 27 guineas, bought by Mr. Morgan, of Rahotu. The purchase of Red Rover is a splendid baagain; he is only 8 years old, and his stock is really Al. Sir Garnet's full brother was sold a few months ago for 150 guineas. Cows. — Considering their ages, realised fair prices. Aylesby Farewell went to Mr. Manson, at 12} guineas ; Heather Bee, to Mr. Wilson, at 10 s guineas; Berrington Duchess, to Mr. Godkin, at 12J guineas ; Larkspur Flower, to Mr. Peacock, at 12', guineas; Red Duchess, to Mr. Shield, at 10J guineas. The better class of the rest realised from sto 9J guineas ; the balance low, in a few cases at 2 guineas, but generally from 3 to 5 guineas. Heifers. — Some of these met fair competition, the highest price being Sweetbriar, 2nd in calf to Sir Hercules, 14 guineas. Among the best competed for was No. 13, 8 guineas; No. 28, Hi guineas ; No. G6, 7f guineas ; No. 98, 8 guineas ; No. 108, 10^ guineas; No. 134, B.} guineas; No. 55, 7£ guineas ; 4, 5, and 6 guineas were freely given. A number of somewhat weedy and wild creatures brought the average down.

Maiden Heifers at Weaning. — The pitch brands were (owing to the long hair) illegible, and as it was impossible to sell them according to their pedigree, Mr. Ross decided to take them back and sell them another time. However, not to disappoint buyers, they were offered at 6 guineas each, and passed in. At 4or probably 4} guineas they would have sold.

Steer Calves.— 22 made 34s each ; 13, 38s each.

Most of the buyers were from the Hawera and Plains district. A nice lot went South, purchased by Mr. Manson, of Palmer s ton.

At my usual sale on the sth inst., some horses belonging to the late Dr. Croft found a ready sale. One pen of mixed cattle, 2«years J made 435. Pigs, dull of sale.

Land.— l report the sale on the loth hist, of a farm belonging to Messrs. Smail and Fairbairn, in the Whakaniara block, 260 acres, to Mr. Arhndell.