THE SALE AT MOUNT GREY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume II, Issue 68, 24 April 1852, Page 6

THE SALE AT MOUNT GREY.

From our Correspondent. On Wednesday the 14th instant, numerous horsemen were making their way towards the late Captain Mitchell's station, which, with all the stock, had been advertised for sale by auction on the next day. Baxter, who keeps the Ferry, and Bush public-house, near the mouth of the Courtenay, reaped a plenteous harvest: and the houses of Mr. Torlesse and Mr. Boys, at Rangiora Wood, afforded hospitality to large parties in the evening. The sale commenced at about one o'clock on Thursday afternoon, and lasted till dusk. Between 60 and 70 persons were on the spot; 5S horses having been counted besides those be-longing-to the station. There was but little competition for any of the lots. The run, consisting of a right of pasturage over 20,000 acres, on either side of the Kowai river, at the option of the purchaser, together with the improvements, secured by a pre-emptive right over 250 acres, was knocked down to Major O'Connell, 99th regt., for £400. There are two substantial houses, a dairy with utensils, stock-yard and milking-shed, about 100 acres in three paddocks, fenced with strong posts and rails, and a small garden. The station is about 36 miles from Christchurch, and 14 miles from the spot at Kaiapoi to which small craft can ascend the Cam, a tributary of the Courtenay. There is a good road for riding or drays all the way.

The greater portion of the cows were also bought for Major O'Connell; 7 cows and calves fetched from £10 10s. to £16 each, average £13 ; 50 cows from £5 ss. to £15 155., average £9; 58 calves averaged £5 10s.; 4 pair of working bullocks fetched £29 per pair ; 50 fat bullocks, £10 10s. to £17 each, average £12 ; a four-year-old bull, £40; an eighteen months' old bull, £10; a bullock-dray, £30; a horsedray, £20. Three or four mares, which seemed to have done plenty of hard work, fetched from £14 to £29 each.

I understand the whole produce of the sale was about £2,320. The sum of £2,300 had been offered by a private purchaser before the sale.

The promises of the Auctioneers as to a supply of provisions were bountifully kept: rounds of beef, and huge loaves, followed each other in rapid succession, accompanied by milk, cheese, and fresh butter in abundance. Those, however, who had depended on the prospect of blankets to sleep in, had to envy those who had brought bedding with them. Notwithstanding this bone of contention, and that free access was allowed to a keg of brandy in one of the rooms, it is pleasing to relate, that no serious case of inebriation, and no disorder of any kind occurred.