THE ELDERSLIE STUD FLOCKS

Otago Witness, Issue 3014, 20 December 1911, Page 20

THE ELDERSLIE STUD FLOCKS

It is almost superfluous to say that the Eiderslie flocks, which will be submitted to public auction on Tuesday, January 20, by Messrs Pyne and Co. in conjunction with Messrs Dalgety and Co., have always been in the bands of keen judges of all classes of sheep, who have spared neither time nor money in improving them and working them up to a high utility and show yard standard. The Romney Marsh flock is the oldest in the Dominion, having been founded in 179 by purchases from Dr Webster, and added to by importations from Mr Rigden, of Kent, a well-known English breeder. And at various times imported sheep from Messrs Godwin, Rigden, and File have been utilised in the flock. This flock has been carefully bred, heavily culled, and has a splendid show-ring reputation. The Lincoln flock was established in 1874 by purchases from Mr Thee. Dodson, of Port Chalmers, who had a number of imported sheep from England, and since that time importations have been made from the flecks, of Kirkham and Dudham. A large number of ewes were also purchased from George and J. B. Sutton to mate with these imported rams. At vari ous times sires have also been obtained from the flocks of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, the Hen. M. Holmes, J. B. Smith, and J. B. , Sutton; also from Hasting Gaisford, Wilson and Overton. The Border Leicester flock was inaugurated in 1872 by purchasing a number of ewes and one ram from the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, tho ram being of the well-known imported “Marquis” blood, of Gillies-and Street’s flock. Since that time importat : ons have been made from the most fashienable Scottish breeders—Lord Polwarth, Clark (of Oldhamstock, and others. Purchases were also mads from John Deans (of Riocarton), and Little Bros, (Ngapara). This flock has always been maintained in a high state of efficiency, has a most successful showyardl history, and provided many breeders with studl sheep. The English Leicester flock.—The rams used in this flock were from the flocks of Hon. E. Grey, and purchased from Mr James Little, of Allandale, Ha warden, at the Christchurch ram fair in 1897, and contributions to the ewe flock were bred by Hon, E. Grey, Jlames Little, Canterbury Agricultural College, and Mr Thelkeld. The dispersal oi flocks of this kind to

Dew owners might almost be regarded as a national loss. We are only beginning to realise how much the country has been indebted to the original flockmasters, who did so much to establish the pastoral industry on a firm basis, and it is to be hoped, for the sake of the country, that these flocks will go into the hands of good men,, who will take a keen interest in keeping them well up to' the mark.