SHEEP IN PATAGONIA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20089, 4 May 1927, Page 9

SHEEP IN PATAGONIA.

ASTONISHING RETURNS. NEW ZEALAND ANIMALS POPULAR. • / (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, May 3. “No, I do not advise any young New Zealanders to go to Patagonia,” said Mr D. M. Philip this morning on his .return from that far-away part of South America by the Mataroa. “Life on the stations is very lonely. There is no sport of any kind, and young men are apt to drift into loose ways of living.” He added: “The evils of the flesh are the worst part of life out there.” Mr Phil> has just returned to Now Zealand after taking across to Patagonia a consignment of 415 stud sheep for big runholdcrs there. He explained that Patagonia is partly Chile and partly Argentina, and lies on the southernmost point of South America. Considering the distance south, the country is astonishing. The weight of the wool and the percentage and qualify of the lambs arc amazing. “New Zealand sheep do particularly well in Patagonia,” said Mr Philip, “and, what is more, the Chilian station holders want them. Last year we sent over 102 sheep, this year 4115, and we have orders for a shipment for next year.” Mr Philip explained that a special ship is chartered to take the sheep across from New Zealand. The journey from Port Chalmers to Punta Arenas took only 18 days, and only one sheep was lost. This year the sheep cargo was valued at 30,000 guineas. "Every important position in Patagonia is held hv Englishmen,” continued Mr Philip “There are a largo number of New Zealanders managing some of the big stations, which are all owned by Chilians. Many of the stations run up to 145.00 P sheep. One company owns 1,800,000 sheep, and is the largest there.”