SHEEP FOR RUSSIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22688, 29 March 1937, Page 5

SHEEP FOR RUSSIA

BUY Eli S IN DOMINION INCREASE IN FLOCKS RECOVERING LOST GROUND Like most countries Russia is seeking to mnko herself as far as possible self-supporting in regard to supplies of raw material ami the arrival of a buying commission in Now Zealand earlier this month with plans to purchase pedigree sheep lias caused no little concern to farmers. It has been stated that the Dominion is faced with the possibility of losing stock to a country which would be an active competitor. Some years ago Russia bought large numbers of Merino sheep in Australia for breeding purposes, but the experiment was not successful. She has now turned lier attention to English sheep and has purchased pedigree Lincoln stock freely. This breed is favoured because it grows a heavy fleece and is a bulky producer of mutton. The flocks of the Argentine have largely been built Hi) on Lincoln blood. It is the declared intention of the Soviet authorities to enlarge their present stocks. In 1931, Russia pastured 72.600,000 sheep, which produced 212,000,0001b. of wool. Following the Government policy of nationalising the farms, stock was slaughtered in large numbers by the farmers, and flocks in 1033 declined to 45,400.000, and wool production to 138,000,0001b. Since that year the sheep numbers have recovered, the total for 1936 being 66,700,000, and the quantity of wool grown 200,000,0001b. As a result of that* recovery, imports of wool by Russia have decreased, the quantity imported from January to October, 1936, being 42.700,0001b., a reduction of 13.200.0001b. on the 1935 total for the similar period. Russia has not resumed purchasing in Australia, but she continues to buy the raw material in Great Britain. No purchases of wool have been made recently in New Zealand. OHRISTCRURCH SALES NEARLY £2,000.000 FOR SEASON

A realisation of £610,496 from the third C'liristcliiircJi wool sale, held on March 12, brings the total return from tlip three sales this season up to £1,9138,008, or £497,844 more than was received from tlie four sales last season, and more than double the total realisation of £812,20.'$ in the 1934-35 season. There are still approximately 12,000 bales to sell at the fourth sale, so that the realisation from this season should bo somen hero uear £2,250,000.

NEW TYPE OF RAIL-CAR NUMBER OF IMPROVEMENTS NEW PLYMOUTH SERVICE As a result of experience gained from those already constructed and in use the new rail-car, which is to be put on the Wellington-New Plymouth run, will be an improved type, and will cmbody a number of new features, ac-

cording to Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., who has received details of the new car from Mr. G. H. Macklev, general manager of railways. "Aotea" will be the name of the latest addition to the rail-car fleet. At present it is under construction at the railway workshops. Mr. Smith stated that some delay in obtaining certain of the special equipment had been caused through the re-armament and business activity in England. Unladen the new car will weigh approximately 27 tons and laden approximately 31 tons. It will have passenger seating capacity for 52 adults. The underframe, body framing and steel sheathing will be built as one piece to make a rigid, strong and light passenger carrying unit. » The maximum speed of the car will lie 74-75 miles per hour, the power coming from two 120 horse-power engines. one of which is fitted on each of the two boiiics. Oil fuel and electric starting will be used. Westinghouse air brakes will be fitted and handbrakes. on all driving wheels. . The car seating is to be leather upholstered over specially sprung sponge rubber cushions, and will be the latest word in comfort. The beatinc inside the car will be thermostatically controlled from the engine cooling system. All imported parts, such as the engines. radiator, electric gear, etc., are of British manufacture, while the bogies, wheels, bodywork, underframe, brake- iT ear. woodwork and all other than specially patented parts are constructed in the New Zealand railway workshops.