RAM FAIRS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXIV, Issue 4882, 6 February 1903, Page 7

RAM FAIRS.

SALES AT PALMERSTON NORTH. (From Our Special Correspondent.) PALMEHSTON, Thursday.

Tlie annual nun fair held by Abraham and Williams, Limited, in con junction with the Now Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, was opened to-day, under anything but favourable conditions. The day broke dull and heavy, and light rain fell from .in early hour, continuing all tho morning. The result was that the attendance showed no improvement on previous years, mid tho speculative spirit of those present was proportionately depressed. The arrangement for conducting the sales wore of the most complete nature, tho buyers being seated on raised benches round a ring, into which the sheep, were driven, and as fast as they were sold they were passed out, and a new lot took their place. The hammer was wielded by Mr O. Porritt, of tho firm of Abraham and Williams, who put the lots through in remarkably .smart time. The entries are a long way in advance of all previous years, and tho popularity of these fairs may’ be ca.sily judged by a reference to the following comparative tabic, which shows their rapid growth :

Ono of the features of these entries worthy of note is the rapidity with which the limimo(y Marsh sheep have swung into popular favour, and tho corresponding decline of Hie Lincolns, and this change in popular opinion was amply reflected in the day’s sales, the Romneys receiving a much more cordial reception than tho Lincolns, although tho latter had the honour of securing the top price. Amongst those entries are to he noticed sheep from all the principal sheopbreeding parts cf the colony, and the fact that such breeders as Mr J. S. Holmes, of Oamaru, the Now Zealand and Australian Land Company, Mr John Little, of Canterbury, to say nothing of North Island breeders from far and near, have thought fit to have their flocks represented, is positive proof that Palmerston is freely acknowledged to bo an important centre for tho distribution of stock.

The sheep brought under the hammer to-day were Romneys and Lincolns. Amongst the former wore some fine sheep bred by Mr J. 0. Batchclar, of Fitzhorbert, and ho again had the satisfaction of topping the market with a sale at six guineas. Mr D. Buick, of Kairanga, was also a prominent seller in this class, some of his sheep fetching as high as 4J guineas, and he was closely followed,, by Mr Bidwill, of Feathorston, whoso average was 3Jguineas. Mr D. Rowlands, of Karere, also had some fine sheep in the ring, which brought from throe to four guineas, tho general ton© of the sale in this class being above expectations. Lincolns, on tho other hand, were a drag, and although some of tho host sheep ever shown at a fair were put under the hammer by Messrs Kenneth McKenzie and J. Hastings, of Palmerston, there was little or no demand for tho brood. Tho highest prices of tho day, however, were obtained in this class by Mr W. H. Wybourno, of Waver ley, who sold throe animals at 9J- guineas, ouo at 7 guineas and one at 5 guineas. A number of the pens were not sold, hut a good deal of private buying is being done, and it is expected that most of the unsold lots will change hands before they leave the yards. To-morrow the Downs, Loicestors and crossbred rams will ho sold, and as the former class is becoming popular in the north, good business is anticipated. RAM AND EWE FAIR AT CHRIST CHURCH. PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, February 5. The rain and ewe fair under the auspices of tho Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held today. There was a good entry in point of numbers, and tho general quality of tho sheep was above the average, though some very poor lines were shown. Otherwise, however, the experiment of holding tho sale at this period did not prove satisfactory. The attendance was very small, the largo North Island shoop-farmers having for the most part supplied their season’s requirements, while Canterbury farmers are occupied with the harvest. The few North Island buyers present were the largest purchasers, but bidding n'as very slow, and a great proportion of the lots were passed in. Tho demand ran chiefly on Southdowns, Shropshiros and- English Lcicesters, and for those which were sold fairly satisfactory prices were realised. Border Leicesters, Romneys and Lincolns wore neglected, and there was very little inquiry for stud rams. A considerable number of tho lots which were passed at auction were afterwards sold privately. Tho following were tho current prices for shearing flock rams (registered) of fair to good quality;—English' Loicesters, 2J- guineas to 4 guineas; Southdowns, 6 guineas: Shropshire Down, 2V guineas to 3J guineas. Stud rams — English Leicester, 9 guineas to 15 guineas.

IDOL 1902. 1903. Romney Marsh ... 317 528 719 Lincolns 872 0G0 407 Shropshire 22 181 100 Southdonnis 10 14 85 Border Leicester... 53 183 228 English Leicester... 13 227 471 Crossbred — — 128 Totals 1293 1793 2228