WAITORU STUD TO BE DISPERSED

Southland Times, Issue 24357, 11 February 1941, Page 3

WAITORU STUD TO BE DISPERSED

ROMNEY MARSH SHEEP OF FINE BREEDING An event of outstanding interest to Southland Romney breeders and sheep farmers generally, is the final dispersal sale of .Waitoru Romney Marsh sheep, which is being held tomorrow at Waitoru Downs homestead, Te Tipua, near Dacre, beginning at 9.30 a.m., on account of the trustees of the late Sir William Hunt and Mr W. E. Hunt. This year the final offering comprises the whole line of 2-tooth ewes and rams. The sheep are in splendid order and for their breeding they will stand comparison with the best in the country and can be classed as practically pure Waiorongomai blood. The Waitoru Romney stud was reestablished in 1928, with a special I selection of the best quality stud ewes ever released from Mr R. W. Matthews’s famous Waiorongomai Flock (No. 21) and the late Q. Donald’s Alloa Flock (No. 218). Further selections from the same studs were added in 1929, and since then annual additions of selected ewes have been made from the Waiorongomai flock. Ewes were also secured from the late Mr Donald Macdonald’s Edendale flock (No. 700), which was built up largely from the old Bainfield (almost pure Waiorongomai blood) flock, and at the dispersal sale of Murray Brothers’ Clydevale flock (No. 230). As the true Waiorongomai blood predominated in all these studs, the Waitoru stud is today practically pure Waiorongomai blood. The sheep are bred under natural and severe climatic conditions, and, as a result, they are noted for their robustness and sound constitution. Buyers, therefore, have the opportunity of securing at this sale Romneys representing the best North Island type, but with the heavier bone and greater vitality for which Southland-bred sheep are so widely renowned. It is worthy of notice that rams exported to South America, South Africa and Australia have given every satisfaction. The flock has been thoroughly culled and all the sheep, except the flock rams, have been inspected and passed for sale by Mr Peter Campbell, of Wyndham, who is recognized as one of the most able and critical judges in the Dominion.

■ At recent annual and the dispersal sales stud rams were purchased by the leading North Island and South Island breeders, including Sir William Perry (Penrose), Messrs R. W. Matthews (Waiorongomai), J. G. and I. C. Donald (Alloa), J. A. Mitchell (Santa Rosa), H. B. Johnstone (Kamano) and so on. The Waitoru Romney stud is recognized as one of the best in the Dominion. Many sheep have been sold for export, both rams and ewes, to Australia and South America. The final offering of the whole of the hoggets is a unique opportunity for stud masters and farmers to secure the very best as it is only at a complete dispersal sale that young sheep of such outstanding quality ar.d type can be bought. The offering will be in the following order, and comprises:—346 one-shear stud ewes (to be sold in pens of 1, 2 and 5), 27 stud rams, and 250 oneshear flock rams (to be sold in pens of 2 and 3). AUCTION SATE OF PROPERTIES Two freehold properties were offered for sale by auction on Friday by Russell Hosie Ltd. The first lot consisted of a wooden dwelling with outbuildings and one acre of land at Lorneville which was sold on account of Mrs Rhind to Mrs M. M. Taylor for £775. The second was a wooden bungalow on a quarter-acre of land in Ramrig street offered on account of Mrs Desmond Nevin. For this property, there was bidding up to £BOO at which figure it was passed in as this did not reach the vendor’s reserve.