SALE OF ROMNEY SHEEP

Southland Times, Issue 20834, 24 July 1929, Page 7

SALE OF ROMNEY SHEEP

RECORD AVERAGE PRICE. Leading breeders of Romney sheep from the North of Auckland, Taranaki, and Gisborne to Southland, together with representatives of many overseas countries, attended the dispersal sale of Messrs Murray Bros, old-established Clydevale stud of Romney sheep conducted at the homestead on Wednesday by Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co, Ltd. The sale was the greatest tribute ever paid to any breeders in the Dominion of this breed of sheep. The final result was a record average exceeding 11 guineas per head for the 1265 sheep of all ages submitted and sold. The highest average previously Secured in the Southern Hemisphere for Romney sheep was 10 guineas per head when the Burford stud of 1000 head was dispersed in the North Island. Probably no more spirited bidding for stud sheep has ever been witnessed in the Dominion, as the 303 lots, comprising 86 single stud rams and 217 pens of ewes and ram hoggets, were disposed of in four hours and three-quarters. The arrangements were very complete, as the sheep were all in individual pens, separated by races, and were driven into a special selling ring, at which the buyers sat under cover. The organization was perfect, and the vendors came in for hearty congratulations for the manner in which their arrangements had been made. Mr Alexander Murray was also congratulated, not only upon the high standard of the flock itself —the sale proved it to be one of the foremost in'the Dominion—but upon the splendid condition in which the sheep were yarded. Not one unsound sheep was noticed.

Selling was commenced with the stud ram hoggets which, considering the period of the year, were a very well-grown lot. At the age of nine months, the 68 stud ram hoggets made the excellent average of £37 17/3, although the highest price paid did not reach three figures. Two hundred and fifteen flock ram hoggets also established a record price, averaging £lO 2/3. The highest price of the sale was paid for a five-year-old ram, Longbeach No. 4, which was secured by Mr M. Kirkpatrick, Greenvale, after an exciting contest, for 205 guineas. None of the ewes was sold singly, otherwise record prices would probably have been secured for them also. The ewe hoggets, which were the same age as the rams, were a magnificent lot, and they made the great average of nine guineas for 270 head. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. Ltd, were large buyers of both rams and ewes for South American clients, and representatives of the flock are to go to Uruguay, Argentina and Patagonia. Australian breeders were unable to make purchases, as prices were above their limits. It is difficult to say what might have happened had the weather conditions been more suitable. It rained heavily overnight and remained very wet underfoot throughout the day. Many people anticipated that the sale would be postponed. It can therefore be written down as a decided success, and a tribute to the skill and reputation of the breeders — Messrs John, Alexander and William Murray, who, many years ago, took oyer the flock from its founder, the late David Murray.

The flock was dispersed owing to the dissolution of the partnership and the sale of the property. The auctioneers were Messrs Alfred Clark and C. E. Robertson. Many of the North Island visitors, who were unable to return north the following day owing to the floods, made use of their time to inspect studs further to the south. The detailed sales are as follows: — Stud Ram Lambs. —E. R. Black (Gisborne), 1 at 32igns, 1 at 374gns, 1 at lOgns, 1 at 85gns, 1 at 65gns; Chewings Estate (Mossburn), 1 at 324gns, 1 at 15gns; Peter Campbell (Wyndham), 1 at 45gns; Coughlan Bros. (Salisbury Estate, North Taieri), 1 at 50gns; James Biair (Outram), 1 at 621gns, 1 at 471gns, 1 at 30gns; Wright, Stephenson and Co, Ltd. (as agents), 1 at 30gns, 1 at 25gns, 1 at 40gns, 1 at 20gns, 1 at 30gns, 1 at 27gns, 1 at 30gns, 1 at 374gns, 1 at 30gns, 1 at 15gns, 1 at 25gns, 1 at 15gns, 1 at 30gns, 1 at 30gns, 1 at 274gns, 1 at 30gns, 1 at 30gns, 1 at 30gns, 1 at 20gns, 1 at 45gns, 1 at 15gns, 1 at 65gns, 1 at logns, 1 at GOgns, 1 at 20gns, 1 at 30gns; 1 at 174gns, 1 at 25gns, 1 at 25gns; John Miller (Maungauta), 1 at 574gns; T. H. Mee (Becks), 1 at 15gns, 1 at 174gns; R. D. Smith (Gore), 1 at 30gns, 1 at 62Jgns; Lawlor Bros. (Gore), 1 at 30gns, 1 at 30gns, 1 at 371gns, 1 at 45gns; D. McLaren (Patearoa), 1 at 524gns, 1 at logns; H. F. Blatch (Linwood Station, Mossburn), 1 at 35gns, 1 at 25gns; William Kennedy (Studleigh, Otautau), 1 at 45gns; Arthur Wheeler (Leedstown, Marton), 1 at 50gns, 1 at logns; W. J. and F. D. Reid (Woodside, Outram), 1 at 22Jgns; E. Williamson (Blackstone Hills), 1 at 20gns; John Wilson (Lauder), 1 at logns, 1 at 171gns, 1 at 20gns; R. M. Paterson (Ayrburn Station, Arrowtown), 1 at 45gns, 1 at 40gns, 1 at 20gns; J. Webb (Taihape) ; 1 at 40gns; A. R. Johnson (Willowbank, Gore), 1 at 174gns; R. J. Brown (Pukemaori), 1 at 20gns. Stud Rams—P. Campbell (Wyndham), 1 one-shear at 65gns; Wright, Stephenson and Co, Ltd. (as agents), 1 one-shear at 30gns, 1 at 45gns, 1 four-shear at 271gns, 1 five-shear at 171gns; John Beattie (The Downs), Oturehua), 1 one-shear at 57-lgns; F. Chittock, 1 one-shear at 70gns; H. F. Blatch, 1 two-shear at 45gns; M. Kirkpatrick (Greenvale, Gore), 1 three-shear at 65gns, 1 four-shear at 205gns; G. F. Mcßae (Wyndham), 1 four-shear at 35gns; A. S. Elworthy (Pareora Station, Timaru), 1 four-shear at 45gns; Con. White (Omakau), 1 four-shear at lOgns; J. D. Lilburne (Hunterville), 1 three-shear at 70gns.

One-shear Stud Ewes.—J. G. Alexander (Maxwell, Wanganui), 5 at 15gns, 5 at lOgns, 5 at 10}gns, 5 at 14£gns; Ireland Bros. (Goodwood), 5 at 9gns; A. Woods (Waikouaiti), 5 at Signs, 5 at Bgns; C. Milne (Edendale), 5 at Bgns, 5 at Bgns; R. F. Kirk (Kelso), 5 at Bgns, 5 at Signs, 5 at 12gns; E. R. Black, 5 at 71gns, 5 at 9gns, 6 at Bgns; 5 at lOgns, 5 at 9gns; E. Williamson, 5 at 74gns; John Christie (Warepa), 5 at Bgns, 5 at Bgns; R. M. Paterson, 5 at Bgns, 5 at Bgns; R. Fraser (Tokonui), 5 at Bgns; John Wilson, 5 at Bgns, 5 at Bgns; W. D. Hunt (Wallacetown), 5 at Signs, 5 at 91gns, 5 at 9gns; T. H. Mee, 5 at 9gns; M. Kirkpatrick, 5 at 151gns; J. J. Wylie (Pukerau), 5 at lllgns; D. McKenzie (Waikaka), 5 at 15jgns; H. Shirley (Waimahaka), 5 at 124gns. National Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd., 6 at 12gns.

Two-shear Stud Ewes.—Donald Reid and Co., Ltd., 5 at 121-gns; E. R. Black, 5 at (Hgns, 5 at 9gns, 5 at Olgns, 5 at 94gns; W. D. 'Hunt, 5 at lOgns; R. M. Paterson, 5 at lOgns; J. D. Lilburne, 5 at 124gns, 5 at llgns; A. Woods, 5 at 9jgns, 5 at 9gns; J. G. Alexander, 5 at 124gns; James Blair, 5 at 94gns, 5 at lOgns; John Wilson, 5 at 94gns, 5 at Ogns, 5 at 9gns; Coughlan Bros., 5 at lOgns; M. Cramer (Gore), 5 at 94gns, 5 at Bgns; J. C. Bolton (Woodville), 5 at 91gns, 5 at 94gns, 5 at 9gns; T. H. Mee, 5 at 9gns; John Christie, 5 at 91gns; G. Wheeler, 5 at 94gns; Lawlor Bros., 5 at 9gns. Three-shear Stud Ewes.—T. H. Mee, sat Bgns; J. C. Bolton, 5 at Signs, 5 at Ogns, 5 at 9gns, E. W. Collins (Palmerston North) 5 at 84gns, 5 at 114gns; John Wilson, 5 at Bgns, 5 at Bgns, 5 at 84gns; Coughlan Bros., 5 at 81gns; W. D. Hunt, 5 at 84gns; James Blair, 5 at 94gns, 5 at llgns; J. G. Alexander 5 at Ogns, 5 at logits; G. Wheeler, 5 at 94gns, 5 at 114gns; D. McKenzie. 5 at 104gns; John Christie, 5 at Signs; Wright Stephenson, and Co.. Ltd., 5 at 94gns; A. Woods, 5 at 74gns; W. F. and F. J. Reid, 5 at 9gns; Donald Reid and’Co., Ltd., 5 at logns; Ireland Bros., 5 at 104gns, 5 at 9 gns; E. R. Black, 5 at lOgns; A. R. Johnson, 5 at Bgns. Four-shear Stud Ewes.—Coughlan Bros., 5 at 6gns, 5 at 6Jgns, 5 at Bgns, 5 at Ogns, 5 at 9.1 gns, 5 at 9gns; ,W. G. Belton (Waverley), 5 at 64gns; W. Y. Dickie (Ferndale. Mataura), 5 at 6gns, 5 at 7gns; G. Giddings (Fairlie), 5 at 64gns, 5 at 9J gns; National Mortgage and Agency Co., Ltd., 5 at 64gns; T. H. Mee, 5 at 7gns; D. G. Gordon (Taihape), 5 at Bgns; W. D. Hunt, 5 at 9}gns; H. Brien (Fairlie), 5 at 74gns, 5 at lOgns; J. D. Lilburne, 5 at B?gns; James Blair, 5 at Bgns; Peter Campbell, 5 at 10’gns; M. Kirkpatrick) 5 at 9$ gns, 5 at lOiens; F. Chittock, 5 at lOgns;

D. McLaren, 5 at 9gns; D. McKenzie, 6 at 131gns.

live-shear Stud Ewes. —W. McDonald (Balfour). 5 at 12gns; F. Chittock, 5 at 9gns; D. McLaren, 5 at 9gns, 5 at 7-lgns; C. W. Body (Kelso), 5 at Bgns; J. E. Collins (Taihape), 5 at 9jgns; W. G. Belton, 4 at 74gns, 4 at 9 jgns; E. R. Black, 5 at OJgns; O. Throp (Te Houka), 5 at 91 gns, 6 at 7j'gns; P. Campbell, 5 at llgns; E. W. Collins (Palmerston North), 5 at 84 gns; R. Fraser, 7 at Signs; James Blair, 5 at 7sgns; J. Robinson (Milton), 6 at 7-lgns. Six-shear Stud Ewes. —W. McDonald, 5 at 9Agns; P. Campbell, 5 at 9|gns, 5 at B}gns, 5 at Signs, 5 at Signs, 5 at 7’gns; R. J. Brown, 5 at 7igns; A. H. Moliatt, (Te Houka), 5 at Sgns; Janies Blair, 5 at 71gns; E. Moffatt (Te Houka), 5 at 51gns. Stud Ewe Hoggets.—W. Kennedy, 6 at lOlgns; J. G. Alexander, 6 at lllgns; Cockburn Bros. (Te Houka), 7 at Sgns, 7 at Signs; O. Throp, 7 at llgns; Lawlor Bros., 7 at Bgns; Carnegie Gardner (Clifden), 7 at lllgns; E. Williamson, 7 at 71 gns; James Blair, 7 at Bgns, 7 at lOlgns; John Wilson, 7 at 74gns; W. D. Hunt, 7 at lOgns, 7 at Bgns, 7 at 7!]gns, 7 at 7Jgns, 7 at Signs, 7 at 71gns, 7 at 9.rgns, 7 at 9 gns; E. R. Black 7 at7lgns, 7 at Signs, 7 at 9Agns;Sir Herbert Gibson (Buenos Ayres) 7 at lllgns, 7 at lOgns, 7 at lOgns; H. Sterling 7 at lOlgns; J. O. J. Oliver, 7 at 64gns, 7 at Bgns, 7 at 7:}gns; W. G. Ladbrook (Gore) 7 at 54gns; J. J. Wylie, 7 at 9gns, 7 at 7gns; R. M. Paterson, 6 at Signs; Miller Bros. (Wharetoa), 7 at 9gns; J. ,N. Taylor (Heddon Bush), 7 at lOgns; J. D. Lilburne, 7 at Signs; W. J. and F. J. Reid, 7 at Bgns; Ireland Bros., 7 at lOlgns; E. W. Aitken (Willowbank), 7 at 9gns. Flock Ram Hoggets.—R. M. Paterson, 5 at lOlgns, 5 at 9gns; Castlerock Estate (Lumsden), 5 at 91gns, 5 at 9gns; Wri_ght, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., 5 at 12gns, 5 at 9gns, 5 at 13gns, 5 at lOgns; E. R. Black, 5 at lOgns, 5 at lOgns, 5 at lOlgns, 5 at 9gns, 5 at 7gns, 5 at llgns; R. J. Reid (Waikoikoi), 5 at 13gns; T. McKinnell, 5 at lOlgns; T. H. Mee, 5 at 94gns, 5 at 10 gns; F. Besley (Patea) 5 at lOgns, 5 at 94 gns, 5 at lOlgns, 5 at 9gns, 5 at lOgns, 5 at Sgns, 5 at Signs; J. G. Alexander, 5 atlo4 gns, 5 at Signs, 5 at 74gns, 5 at 91gns, 5 at lOgns, 5 at 9gns, 5 at lOlgns; D. McLaren 5 at lOlgns, 5 at Bgns; J. Christies at 7gns; Lawlor Bros, 5 at llgns; D. Willis (Marton) 5 at 9gns, 5 at Signs, 5 at 9gns, 5 at 94 gns; E. Williamson, 5 at Signs; W. J. and F. J. Reid, 5 at 71gns; W. G. Belton, 5 at lllgns.