SHEEP FOR THE FALKLANDS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1289, 12 November 1896, Page 30

SHEEP FOR THE FALKLANDS.

An experimental shipment, which may prove to be the inauguration of an important commercial enterprise, is about to be made to the Falklands—the well-known group of islands situated at the eastern entrance to the Straits of Magellan, belonging to the British Government. The experiment in question is the sending of 242 live sheep to the islands by the cargo steamer Mamari, which leaves Wellington on her Homeward voyage on Thursday next. Of this number, 125 two-tooth Komney Marsh rams and 95 Lincoln rams—all chosen specially for the purpose—have been shipped by Messrs Pyne and Co., of Christchurch. The Pomneys are from Mr John Eeid's Elderslie estate, and the Lincolns were bred by Mr E. Menlop, at Windsor Park,Oamaru —two of the Colony's Jargest and most successful sheep-breeders. The remaining rams are Lincolns and Leicesters —20 of the former and two of the latter —this lot being a speculation on the part of the shippers. All the sheep are very comfortably housed on the forward and after well decks of the large steamer, and they appear to be of first-class breed and in excellent health. They are under the care of an experienced man —Mr Wyllie, of Timaru. The class of sheep now at the Falklands is (according to an interesting article which appeared in the New Zealand Mail of October 29th) not of the best, and there is a total of about 200,000, Lincoln being the fancy blood. As almost everything at the islands is imported (flour, potatoes, timber, pollard, bacon, butter, cheese and fruit) there is every likelihood of a regular trade springing up between these colonies and the Falkland Islands, and it is expected that the present shipment will be the forerunner of many others —not only of sheep, but general produce, etc. The place of call is the port of Stanley, which is about a fortnight's sail from New Zealand, and is passed by the steamers of both the New Zealand Shipping Company and the Shaw, Savill aDd Albion lines, in addition to many other Home liners. The further progress of trade relations with these islands will be watched for with interest.