RAM AND EWE FAIR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3030, 10 April 1912, Page 20

RAM AND EWE FAIR.

The annual ram and ewe fair of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society was held at the Burnside saleyards on the dnd inst. under favourable weather conditions. Ihe pens recently erected were much appreciated by the buying pubho, who were present in largo numbers. The stipulation mad* by the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society that only thoeo sheep which had been registered m the New Zealand Flock Book and catalogued by the society would bo permitted in the fair had the desired effect of oil miniating the largo number of weeds and considerably raising the character of the entries that were made. That there is abundance of room for improvement in many of the flocks was also quite manifest. In some cases, if the sheep Ben* forward for sale could bo regarded as typical specimens of the flocks they came from, some more active supervision is required by the breed societies than at present prevails. .The breeding of many of the lines was passable, but some of them lacked the condition necessary to face a season. No doubt this lack of condition is attributable to the cold season which has been experienced and to the wet weather, which scorns to have h;id a marked effect on the exhibits helping to detract somewhat from their appearance. There were no sheep of outstanding quality among those brought up for stud purposes and the flock rams, on the whole, sold better than they did. Most of the breeders of last, year were present, but there were no exhibits from Messrs Reid (Elderslie) or Murdoch (Riversdale). Compared with last year tho entry was small, and possibly this falling away may be attributed to the fact that at present many farmers are still in the midst of harvesting operations. In all about 780 sheep were penned. Last year in Border Lcicesters there were about 700 entries, but this year there were only about 200, tho result being that last year's prices were nearly doubled. Stud rams sold up to 20 guineas, this figure being secured for a shearling ruin bred by Mr John M'Kerehar, Woodlands—a fust prize taker at the last Invcicargill show. Flock Border Leicester rams sold from Ugs to 3?gs. Romney Marsh stud rams met with gooel competition, and realised up to 15gs, while flock rams realised from l£gs to 4jgs. There were 29 Shropshire; flock rams yarded, and they brought from 1 guinea to 3£gs. Mr David Murray's and Mr W. R. Uriel's consignments realised from 3igs to 3£gS. Merinos were not in strong demand, only five being forward. A yarding of 141 Corrieelales found fair competition, anel brought up to 3;Jgs. A draft of excellent sheep sent forward by Mr Leonard White (Ralcaia) realised this figure. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. (Ltd.) report prices as follows:—Stud rams: Border Leicester: Penned anel sold for Mr John M'Kerctaar (Woodlands), 2 shearling rams at up to 2Cgs. Romney Marsh: Penned anel sold for .Messrs W. C. Ladbrook anel Sons (Charlton), 4 one-shear rains at up to 12|gs; Mr D. Manson (Clarendon), 1 three-shear ram at 6gs. Flock rams: Bolder Leicester —Penned anel sold for Mr William Ayson (Waikaka), 12 two-tewth rams at up to 3£gs: Mr Thomas Muir (Waihemo Mains. Palmerston), 15 twotooth rams at 3igs; Mr J. R. Mitchell (Clydevale), 3-0 two-tooth rams at 3gs; Mr D. Manson (Clarendon), 5 two-shear rams at 2|gs; Mr John M'Kerohar (Woodlands), 20 two-tooth rams at up to sgs. Romney Marsh: Penned anel tloid for Messrs W. C. Ladbrook and Sons (Charlton), 10 two-tooth rams at 4£gs; Mr J. W Blair (Outram), 11 two-tooth rams at 4gs: Mr J. R. M'Kenzie (Waikaka), 20 twotooth rams at up to 4gs; Mr John Miller (Maungatua), 9 two-tooth rams at 3£gs; the executors of James Gait (Mavis Bank, Mataura), 40 two-tooth rams at 3gs; Mr David Murray (Clydevale), 16 two-tooth rams at up to 3Jgs; Messrs W. a.nel N. Reiei (Outram), 22 two-tooth rams at 2lgs. Oorriedales: Penned and sold for Mr L.

White (Rakaia), 30 two-tooth rams at 3gs; Mr J. Fleming (North Canterbury), 16 twotooth rains at Zigs; Mr G. E. Tubman (Kurow), 34- two-tooth rams at up to 2igs; Mr William 'Ayson (Waikaka), 13 four-tooth rams at 2-igs.