Live Sheep Export.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5287, 19 June 1895, Page 1

Live Sheep Export.

SHIPMENT BY THE TEKOA,

About thirty gentlemen interested in the exportation of meat accepted- tbe invitation of Captain Stuart, of the e.s. Tekoa, yesterday afternoon, to visit that vessel and inspect the arrangements for carrying the live sheep on board to London, on the voyage which begins to-day. On arriving on board the visitors were shown, the sheep, for which commodious and substantial houses had been erected over the fore and the aft hatches. Being elevated above the level of the deck, the ■heap will be out of reach of all but the very heaviest seas, and the elope on which the pens are built will allow any water to quickly run off. The sheep are plentifully bedded down with etraw, and have abundance of room for movement and rest ; indeed, the accommodation is far superior to any that has been provided for even the most valuable stud sheep that have been imported here, and quite beyond all' practical requirements.

' The sheep consist of 100 half-bred Shropshire wethers (by Shropshire Down rams, from half-bred ewes of which the breeding is unknown). They were parchased by Mr E. Owen Cox, at 12a 6d each, from Mr A. Sefton, Hals well. They are of very nice quality, nearly fat, and it i 8 calculated will be prime mutton, dressing about 601 b per carcase, by the time they reach London. Care will be taken during the voyage that they do not become too fat, as they began to feed as soon as they were penned on board. They had been made accustomed to shipboard fare for come time prior to shipment. Accompanying them we're two petß, a lamb and a two-tooth, sent by Mr James Johns, Styx.

For fodder on the voyage the Tekoa takes 5 tons clover hay, 3£ tons oat-sheaf chaff, 140 bushels crushed oats, half ton crushed linseed, 2 tons carrots and 2 tons mangolds, and a ton of etr'aw for bedding. This supply is sufficient for a sixty days' voyage, but it is anticipated that the vessel will reach London within fifty days. , ' '

The shipment is under the charge of Mr Percy Cox. The sheep were certified by Mr Holderness, Stook Inspector, to be free from disease, and a certificate will be obtained at Teneriffe — the vessel's only port of call — that disease does not exist there. Thus it is expected that the sheep will be allowed to land in England free from any restriction, and exhibited alive to show the class of mutton produced in Canterbury. Mr Cox carries a letter from the Premier to the Agent-General and other recommendations, and all concerned in the shipment will take every intereac in its success.

After the inspection Captain Stnart invited his guests to the cabin, where champagne wbb opened, and Mr H. P. Murray-Ayneley, chairman of the New Zealand Shipping Company, proposed success to the experimental shipment of Canterbury sheep to London, and to Mr Owen Cox, their exporter. Mr Ayneley spoke of Mr Cox's enterprise in providing the Bheep, and said that the New Zealand Shipping Company, on being approached by that gentleman, had no hesitation in joining in the experiment, and giving all the assistance in its power to ensure its success. The toast was heartily honoured. Mr Cox, in responding, said that he had determined to send the sheep, not only to teßt the live sheop trade, but to combat the statements in reports that came from London correspondents, to the effect that Canterbury had ceased to produce the firstclass mutton for which she had gained a name. The Shipping Company had joined in the venture, and he could not say too much for the completeness of the arrangements they had made. The sheep on board would show that Canterbury still produced the best quality of mutton. Other districts, also, had cent shipments of live sheep, and he thought that Canterbury, the centre of .the mutton trade, should not be out of it. Captain Stuart said that it gave him great pleasure to Bee s6 many present to wish success to the sheep. It would be no fault of the equipment if the sheep did not make a good voyage, and the quality of the stock was the best. "As an old farmer," he took a great interest in the sheep — the look of their eyeß reminded him of old times. Mr Murchieon (Lake Coleridge), in humourous terms, proposed the health of Captain Stuart, which was drunk with honours, and an extra cheer for Mrs Stuart; and Captain Stuart replying, the pleasant little ceremony terminated.