BACK FROM AUSTRALIA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 10, 11 December 1930, Page 6

BACK FROM AUSTRALIA

COMMENT ON THE MARKETS, RACING STABLES VISITED. Back' from Australia after crossing the Tasman with 224 stud Southdown sheep which he sold in tho Commonwealth, Mr W. G. Shannon returned to Palmerston North on Tuesday. He left this centre on November 8 and had some interesting observations to make to-day to a “Standard” representative regarding stock on the other side. The conditions in the lamb market were apaprently much better than in New Zealand, stated Mr Shannon. There fat lambs up to 361bs were making from 15s to 235, while ewe mutton seemed to bo sought. Eat wethers realised 10s to 18s 6d. The season was practically over, but it was a remarkable sight to see over 100,000 head of stock at the Newmarket sale every Wednesday. Mr Shannon had seen 55,000 lambs, 45,000 ewes and wethers and 16,000 stores in the pens for sale, with nine or ten auctioneers engagea in taking the bids. There seemed to be plenty of money available for fat stock. Discussing the cattle market, Mr Shannon stated that it was noticeable that an 8001 b fat bullock was worth £l2, while a 6001 b animal brought £l3 10s, indicating the preference for the smaller animals. Pastoralists had experienced a great season, with an abundance of feed. Heavy bullocks which had been held in the back districts for three or four years owing to drought conditions were coming forward from places 1500 or 1600 miles away.

RACING STUDS. Perhaps one of the most interesting features of Mr Shannon’s visit was an inspection of all the studs in the racing area of Sandown. He had the privilege of seeing a beautiful grey mare owned by His Majesty the King and bred from Tetrarcli. The animal had produced a black colt foal to the great old turf performer Night Patrol.

While going the rounds of the stables Mr Shannon met R. Cameron and L. Robinson, two former Palmerston North mentors, who were now doing well and had good strings of horses under their charge. He made a close acquaintance with the mighty Melbourne Cup winner Pliar Lap. He described Australia’s wonder horse as a big, bold raking chestnut, with white feet. Phar Lap appeared to be showing no signs of his great efforts on the racecourse, was quiet and easily manageable, being a tractable animal. He had now been turned out under a permanent attendant. It was gossiped among leading turf patrons that had Phar Lap not figured in the Melbourne Cup, that richly endowed event would probably have gone to First Acre, who finished fifth as the race would have been run differently. TRAVEL BY AIR. For £8 Mr Shannon made the trip from Melbourne to Sydney by air in an eight-seater, three-engined ’plane in the service of Australian National Airways. Normally the trip occupied 4| hours. It was a delightful experience travelling across Australia’s tracts 10,000 feet above the earth. Light lunch was partaken of on board and travelling was as comfortable as in the train.

It was a remarkable thing, added Mr Shannon, that the unemployed in Australia seemed to throng all places of amusement and recreation. There did not seem to be any depression among them. Owing to the difficulties placed in the way of money leaving Australia, it was reported that the agents of the wealthy were buying wool, shipping it Home and then realising on it.