SYDNEY SHEEP FAIR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2210, 9 July 1896, Page 15

SYDNEY SHEEP FAIR.

Sydney, July 2.

The annual sheep carnival. began to-day with the sheep-breeders' show. The day was devoted to judging, and the official opening will take place to-morrow. In the matter of excellence the exhibits hardly come up to last year's display. la merino the fiao-wool championship for rams was won by Mr Gibson, of Scone (Tasmania), Mr Gibson, of Fairfleld securing a similar honour for ewes. In the merino olothingwool clats Mr Cox, of Mtidgee, «sourad the championship for rams, and Mesers Clark Brof., of New South Wales, the championship for ewes. In the class for not-boused merino, fine wool the championship was awarded to Mr Ballington, of Now South •Wales. In strong wools Mr M'Caughaw (New South Wales) showed both champion ram and ewe. In Ltacolns the New Zealanders were unpuccfistful The champion ram was exhibited by Mr Walters (Victoria), and the ewe by Mr Christifi*(Victoria). In English Leicesters the champion ewe whs' exhibited by Mr Heizlewood (Tasmania). In Border Leicesters the championship for ram aud ewe fe)l to Mr Ooohrane (Victoria). In Romney Marsh, f^pr ram over. 2yrs, Mr Oobb (Waikawa) carries off first, second, and cham: piomhip; for rams under 2yre, .Mr Cobb took flrab, aad Mr Hopkins (Wellington) second prize ; for rams under lyr, Mr Hopkins took first and second prizes. For ceres over 2jrs Mr Oobb took first, second, and championship, and Mr Maogavon (Wellington) third. For Gwes under 2jr?,' Mr Oobb took seoond priz?, and Mr Hopkins third. For awes under lyr, Mr Mungavon took first and second prizgs. The awards are not yeb complete.

t July 3. The Governor opened the sheap show to-day. The Grand Championship for strong- , woolled rams over two and a->half years was awarded to the Oollardy Company. The Championship for ewes was won by Mr M'Oaughey (New South Wales). The Gt-and j Championship for five merinos was won by Mr Taylor (Tasmania), and for English Leicester ram under one year by Mr H*z?lwood (Tasmania). In Soufchdowos Mr Cuttler (Tasmania) carried off the Championship. Mr West, of Bathurst, secured the Championship in Shropsbires. Although several entries appear under the name of 'Mr Menlove, of New Zealand, unfortunately the sheep are on board tho VVakafcipu, which is on ber way acrosp, and thereforo were not in time for the show.

This year a charge of 24 6d was made for admission to, the sheep sales, which it was announced would go to charities. The charge did not prove a bar to the attendance, for the rooms ware thronged all day by an eager crowd. Pnreuing last year's practice merinos were sold first. To-day's oatalogue was confined to. New South Wales oheep, and the results were satisfactory to breeders. Prices were not sensational, but still reached a good limit. The bidding tob keen and spirited. A selection of Havllah stock produced the top-price animal at Hsg*. A small parcel of four stud rams averaged 26gs each, but the best all-round prices were obtained by Mr M'Oaughey's stud of Vermont blood. Six rams averaged 45£gs eaoh, and eight ewes from the same flock averaged 25|?s. At the conclusion of the day's sale a dozen imported rams from Germany, Steiger strain, averaged 33£gs. For one of them lQlgs was given.