HAURAKI SHEEPFARMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 11

HAURAKI SHEEPFARMING.

FLOCKS ON OLD GOLDFIELDS. HEALTHY BREEDING COUNTRY. An indication of the growing importance of sheep farming 011 the Hauraki Peninsula is found in the fact that last Thursday the first sheep fair ever held 011 the eastern side of that district took place at Mercury Bay, when about 2500 sheep -were yarded and nearly everyone was sold at excellent prices. On the following day, at Coromandel, on the west side of the peninsula, 7000 sheep were yarded, and only one or two pens, which failed to reach what was considered a very high reserve, remained unsold. At both Mercury Bay and Coromandel the prices for both stores and fats were exceptionally high, up to 37s 6d being obtained for some lots, and 25s being common for good stores. Buyers were piesent. from the King Country and the Waikato and other parts, and, very favourable opinions were expressed regarding the constitution and general qualities of the stock, and of the evident suitability of the peninsula hill lands for breeding sound and vigorous stock. Sheepfarming has made great strides recently on the hill country about the. Coromandel, 'lhanics, Ohincmuri and Wailii goldfields, and dairying is extending on the lower and richer lands. r lhe heavy stocking of dairying country on the rich flats of the Hauraki Plains is raising winter feeding and breeding problems, which are making the development of the hill lands on both sides of the plains a subject of great importance.