A SHEEP DEAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17586, 17 September 1917, Page 6

A SHEEP DEAL.

CLAIM FOR £1753.

s THIRD DAY'S'PROCEEDINGS. Tile hearing was continued' ai> the Supreme Court on Saturday before his Honor Mr Justice Denniston, of the claim for £1753 9s 2d brought by David Ramsey Hutchison, Whiterock, against Edward A. Brcughton, Southbridge and Riccarton, the National Mortgage an d Agency Company, Ltd., being joined as third party. Mr Raymond, K.C., with him Mr Neave, appeared for tho plaintiff, and Mr Skerrett, K.C., with him Mr Wright, for the defendant. Mr H. D. Aclnnd appeared on behalf of the National Mortgage and Agency Company. The case was heard before a special jury of twelve. The plaintiff's case was tbat the de, fendant contracted in November last to buy 3000 ewes at 295, delivery in March. Defendant ultimately repudiated the sheep, which were sold a,t prices making a difference, together with the freight and other charges, of the amount now claimed. Defendant's main defence was based o u misrepresentation. Before the taking of evidence was resumed on Saturday, counsel for each party consulted with his Honor as to the issues to bo placed before the jury. The conference was extended, lasting an hour and a half.

Continuing his evidence, the defendant said that he was very disappointed with the sheep when he* saw them at Addington. He had bought three-quarter-bred, but found them to be halfbred, quite half being comebacks. Ho expressed his disgusc to Smith (the National Mortgage Company's auctioneer), who said that he himself would be ashamed to send such sheep forward. Witness told Smith that he would have nothing to do with the sheep, as they were not those he had bought. To Mr Raymond: He had been speculating raoro or less in sheep during the past ten years. Dalgcty's were his,chief agents. He bought largely on description. He had always had reasonable success; he had experienced nothing approachingdis aster. William B. Clarkson gave evidence of an expert character, and said that he valued the ewes, as he saw them at Addington, at about 19s each all round. The late Shearing would have its effect on their condition.

Colin Stewart, farmer, Riccarton, said that in sheep trade language Roiuney cross would mean cross-bred or three-quarter-bred. Alexander Boyle, of Messrs Pyne and Co., said that if he were quoted Romuey cross ewes he would expect them to be three-quarter Romncys or further on than that. The sheep pointed out to him at Addington were a poor, illbred lot of halr-breds and quarter backs. To Sir Raymond: There was gambling in sheep as there was i;j shares. Romncy cross was not an indefinite term to him. To Mr Skerrett: There was no marked slump in the price of sheep last) March; there was simply a disinclination to buy. William Phillips, farmer 1 ; Wecdons, gave a short history of tho stock on Harris Bros.'' station at Pohenui. Mr Skerrett: What is a Corriedale ram? Witness: That's more than I know.

Mr Skerrett: He's an in-bred rami* Witness : He's an ill-bred ram, in my opinion. To his Honor: Corriedales might throw anything. You might get a merino.

Derrick W. Westenra and James Cow gave expert evidence. Henry M. Cotton* chief auctioneer for Dalgcty's. Christehurch branch, said that aboufl February 23 Broughton told him about the Sounds ewes. Witness telegraphed to Dalgety's Blenheim branch about a re-sale, which could not be arranged, and later sent instructions referring to the shipping of the ewes. He saw them at. Addington and considered them as half-bred, with a large proportion of come-backs. He had expected the sheep to come to him and.-had bought feed for them. The Court adjourned till 10.30 a.m. on Monday.