STOCK NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10717, 30 July 1895, Page 6

STOCK NOTES.

The Bath and West of England Show last month was very successful. Many names ■ familiar to New Zealand sheepbreeders appear in the prize-list, and I quota the following remarks from the Field i “ The Leicester breed made a highly creditable display, consisting o! nine pens of shearling rams, six pairs of ram lambs, and seven pens of shearling ewes. Mr G. Harrison, TJnderpark, was the most successful exhibitor, winning all three first prizes, second 1 prize for ewes, and third prize with a second shearling ram. His sheep are well known to be of the Yorkshire type, having more size and substance than the others display, although theLeieestera kept in Cornwall, of which a good shearling ram owned by Mr T. Yelland, of the neighbourhood of St Austell, won second prize, are also of comparative large scale. Mr Yelland won both second and third prizes for ram lambs with animals having good heads and wool. In the ewe class, Mrs Perry-Herrick won the third prize. Her sheep were more of the character Bakewell was known to propagate, although the Yorkshire and Cornish Leicesters may at the present day be better rent payers. “Southdowns came out magnificently, nearly every one of the nine shearling rams receiving notice. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales won first and third prizes, his two rams being divided by a very nice ram belonging to Mr E. Ellis. In the class for ram lambs, those of Mr Ellis and Mr Blyth were very well shaped and of nice character. These exhibitors received the three prizes, and one of Mr Ellis’s ram Jambs was awarded tho champion prize for best ram of the breed on the ground. There were seven pons of ewes, and all from leading flocks. Mr Ellis won another first with sheep of truly superb character, Mr Blyth coming second with a pen of vary even matching sheep of rather more substance. Earl Bathurst won the third premium, and H.E.11. the Prince of Wales reserve, with pens far above average merit. “The Shropshire element always prevails whenever a big. show is held anywhere within reasonable reach of the breeders. There were no fewer than thirty-four shearling rams entered, and there were very few not thoroughly deserving. Mr W. F. Inge had chief post of honour, Mr A. E. Mansell carrying off second, and Mr Foster-Harter third premium. Mrs M. Barrs showed the reserve ram, and of the others six were highly commended and ten commended. The season is rather early yet for Shropshire ram lambs, but the display was highly creditable. First prize was won by Mr Foster-Harter, second by Mr J. Beach, and third by Mr K. P. Cooper, Mr Kirkham obtaining reserve. In the shearling ewe class Mrs M. Barrs had the high honour of being first, for the display was an admirable one. Mr P. L. Mills came second, and Mr PosterHarier third, all these pens being truly of grand character, while that of Mr T. S. Minton, which was reserve, must be considered far above average merit. Hampshire Downs made a large display, especially in the ram lamb class. Professor Wrightson, Mr A. da Mornay and Mr J. Flower were the winners.

At the Eoyal Counties Show the following week. Prof. Wrightson and Mr Flower were again successful in Hampshires, and Mr T, F. Boston won several firsts. In Southdowns Sir W. Throckmorton, Messrs Toop, Heasman and Ellis were the winners in specially good classes. Shropsbires saw Mr A. E. Mansell successful, he also winning the special for the best ram or ram lamb in the show. Messrs W. Millen and H, Page were the winners in Bomney Marsh sheep. There was a good show of sheep at Edinburgh the same week. la Border Leicester shearlings Mr Bussell Tress, Whitelee, St Boswells, was an undoubted winner with a Crichton Mains tup, which he purchased in a lot of five as a lamb. Mr Clark, Oldhamstocks, was second with a sheep of greater size. Lord Rosebery was first ior gimmcre. The only exhibitor of Shropshires was Lord Rosebery.