TE RANGITUMAU SALE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVI, Issue 8695, 1 March 1907, Page 5

TE RANGITUMAU SALE.

First Day

A Phenomenal Success.

Splendid Prices Realised

Great Gathering of Breeders

(Special Reporter.)

Favoured n,s it, was with perfect, weather,, the iirst day of the famous To Rangituniau dispersal sale, held yesterday, was an unqualified success. Not only was there a very large and representative gathering of buyers from all parts of the colony and from Australia, but the interest they manifested in the sale far exceeded the most .sanguine expectations,- not a single line submitted being passed in. On the contrary, every animal submitted was in eager demand, every sheep on the property being quitted under the hammer. Complete arrangements had been made by the auctioneers (Messrs Abraham and Williams) for the conveyance of prospective buyers from the town and the Opaki railway station to the locality of the sale, and drag-loads of breeders commenced to arrive at the pretty homestead as early as nine o'clock in the morning, although the sale was advertised to commence at eleven. As the hour for opening drew nigh, it was evident that there was going to be a record attendance of buyers for a local stock sale, not only in point of numbers, but in the class of purchasers, and so it ultimately proved. By 10.30 the roadway running through the estate in the vicinity of the sale was a mass of vehicles of all descriptions—motor-cars and cycles, drags, busses, buggies and dog-carts—while a regular cavalcade of horses was scattered along the hill front near the woolshed. There was, naturally, a. strong contingent of Wairarapa breeders, and outside districts were also well represented. Among the most noticeable of the latter were such well-known breeders as Mr E. Short, of Waituna West, Mr H. Booth, of Feildiug, Mr S. R. Lancaster, of Pahnerston North, Mr W. F. Knight, of Danucvirke. and Mr C. Matthews, of Gisborne; whilst Australia, was represented by Mr F. G. G. Cooper, of the Darling Downs, Queensland. Messrs Nelson Bros., ofTomoaua (H. 8.), Mr Sydney Johnston, of Ruataniwha Plains, and the Lincoln Agricultural College at Christchurch were also represented at the sale, Mr Leithead beiug Mr Sydney Johnston's agent. Between 10.30 and 11 o'clock the locality of the sale was a busy and animated scene. Most elaborate preparations had been made for buyers to inspect the stock to their utmost satisfaction. From a point about a chain behind the large woolshed a double row of pens had been constructed, which ran back over a rise for about J OO yards, where it intersected a cross line of pens nearly .'SOO yards long. The Lincolns were accommodated in the first-mentioned pens, and the Southdowiis in the last. Buyers were thus enabled to pass up one side of the pens and down the other, inspecting as they went. The Downs were plainly branded on the back with their catalogue number, and the Lincolus with different-coloured dots, and the remarkable facility with which drafting was possible under the system used was favourably commented on. Buyers took full advantage of the opportunities offered to inspect, and before the sale opened nearly three hundred of them were busy studying catalogue numbers and scanning fleeces, dotting down remarks here, and seeking other opinions elsewhere. It was apparent early in the day that bidding was going to be very brisk. Off the point of intersection of the two lines of pens the auctioneers and public stand was situated. This was a most substantial affair, and comfortably seated quite 250 buyers, whilst affording the auctioneering staff ample accommodation. The sheep were conducted through the centre in the same fashion as at the Ram Fair, and the auctioneers were thus enabled, yesterday, to put through the exceedingly heavy catalogue in an incredibly short time. The appointments for the sale were unexceptionable. A perfect army of assistants was employed to keep the sheep moving in and out of the business arena and along the lines of pens without loss of time, whilst to ensure the completion of yesterday's business in good time no adjournment was made for lunch, which was, instead, partaken of as the sale proceeded, being handed round. Mr James Stuckey and his sons were extremely busy the whole day, and the succcess attending the first day of tiie sale must be very gratifying to them. By prominent buyers the opinion was expressed that the sale was the best-arranged one they had ever attended, and this fact materially added to its general success. The universally acknowledged success of the vendors as breeders, makes it almost unnecessary to comment on the appearance of the sheep submitted, but it is worthy of remark that one of the most noted New Zealand breeders present declared that as far as the Downs were concerned, lie had never seen better sheep in his life. And there is, no doubt, they were a picture, and the fact thai; only a short week ago the same class of sheep was quite unsaleable at the Ram Fair, while yesterday they met with spirited competition, bears otit the eulogy of the breeder in question. In this class, Mr E. Short, whilst topping the market, probably purchased the cheapest animal of the day. Several breeders classed his selection—the three and a-half year ram Thickset, by Rangitumau Chilcomb 3rd—a magnificent sheep, and in securing him for guineas, Mr Short got a bargain. The only time this fine animal was shown was at Palmerston, where he took first prize as one of a pair of hoggets in 1905. Mr Leithhead also got undoubted

value for his money when he had knocked down to him for 33 guineas another ram which secured a prizo as a shorn hogget in Palmerston in 1900. This splendid animal was very keenly competed for. At the commencement of the sale, two pure Southdown ewes were exhibited, one bred by His Majesty the King, and the other by Mr J. Stuckey, and the auctioneer announced, amidst applause, that Mr Stuckey had decided to make a present of them to the largest purchaser in the Southdown class. The sheep will be kept on their old pastures, Mr Stone-Wigg, who purchased the To Rangitumau estate, having been the successful biiyer, beating Mr E. Short, the next highest purchaser, by over £40. For Lincolns, the bidding whs keen from start to finish, some exceptionally good prices being realised. Many buyers apparently had firmly made up their minds on inspection to purchase certain sheep, and when the animals were put up they did not hesitate to run the figures up until they had the market to themselves. Messrs Percy Bros., well-known local breeders, were loudly applauded for their enterprise in disposing of all opposition, buying the highest-priced sheep of the day—a three-shear stud Lincoln—for M\}4 guineas. Ho was a splendid animal, and the cynosure of many eyes when in his pen. Mr A. Dalziell, of Hunterville, secured for 27 guineas, a 2-shear stud ram, bred by tlie N.Z. and Australian Laud Co., and Mr J. Christoffel, one bred by the same firm, for half-a-guinea less. The following were the principal buyers in the various classes stated: — Southdowns.— Shearling ewes: Mr Leithead (Hawkc's Bay), 7> 4 gus, s%'gns, ogns, Mr J. Taylor (Wanganui), 4gus, ; Mr StoneWigg, ogns, 4%gns; Nelson Bros., (Tomoana), ogns, 3gns; Mr Fitzherbert, 4gns; Mr F. G. G. Cooper (Darling Downs, Q.), 4V 4 gns, ;Hv>gus; Mr J. Strang (Gladstone), (igns, s}' 4 gns, 4> 4 gns; Mr H. F. Booth (Feilding), 2%gus. 3-shear ewes : Messrs Nelson Bros., 4> 4 gns; Mr A. Hunter, 3gus, 2gns; Mr P. G. G. Cooper, J^gus; Mr W. J. Loeward (Palmerston North), ;3gns ; Mr J. Strang, 3gns; Mr Stone-Wigg, 3%gus. 4-shear ewes: Mr G. Short, Sk'gns, oi, 4 gus,4) 4 gns; Mr Stone-Wigg, 3> 4 -gns, 2.k,gns; Mr J. Knight, Wall Bros., :U.sgns ;Mr J. Strang, 2gns. o-year-old ewes: Mr Stone-Wigg, 3> 4 gns, B 4 'gns; Mr H. P. Lance (Halcombe), 2gus ;Mr J. Taylor, 4gns. Over-aged ewes :Mr Stone-Wigg, :s> 4 gns; Mr X, Short, 3gus; Mr W. G. Aitkin, i^n. 2-shear ewes: Mr Leithead, Tgns, (igns, 2<ogus ; Mr E". Short Ugns, 2gns; Mr S. R. Lancaster, 2> 4 giis, Hiigns; Percy Bros., I%'gus. In stud rams the following were the chief buyers :—E. Short, 33J.,gns, Mr Loithead 33gns,10gns, Sgns, (U-ogns; Mr Stone-Wigg, 25gus, 15^'gns; Mr Hunter 13gns; Mr W. H. Beetham, JSjogus; Mr J. McGregor, 13gus; Mr Bailey, 10^'gus; Messrs Wall Bros., TJ-ogns; Mr D. Price, The ram lambs brought excellent prices, the chief buyers being:—Mr W. H. Beetham :35gus, 2ogus; Mr J. Strang, 33;Uigns; Mr E. Short, l(ii<vgns; Mr Stone-Wigg, lOgus, Mr J. MeKeuzie, Tgus; Mr Fitzherbert, In pens of 5 the highest priced lot was purchased by Mr ,T. Knight, of Feilding, at Mr E. Short paying for another lot. i Liueolns. —2-.shear ewes : 7 pens of five submitted averaged l%gns, the j highest price obtained being 3%gns from Mr Wilkie. 3-shear ewes: 8 lots of live averaged 3 guineas; Mr D. McKenzie securing one lot at ogns; Messrs Ellis Bros, one at and Mr D. Price one at 4-shear ewes: 16 pens of five averaged nearly 4gns, Mr D. McGregor and Mr Greer (Palmerston North) securing a pen eacli at and Mr Taylor one at 4%'gns. Aged ewes averaged a fraction over Ign. Shearling ewes: Keen competition was experienced in this class, the average for sixteen peus of five being well over 4gus, Messrs Ellis Bros, being the principal buyers at and 4%'gns. Mr J. Christoffel, of Eltham, purchased six lots in succession at 4%gns, ogns, o> 4 :gus, ogns, 4%gns, and 4%gns each, afterwards purchasing two more at 4%gns and each —the total purchase amounting to ] Ewe lambs : There was brisk demand for these, the average price being about 2> 4 gus. Mr A. Dalziell, of Hunterville, paid up to 4Jygns for one pen. Ram lambs : A line of 20 pens of 5 averaged over li^'gns; Mr C. Goodson buying the highest priced lots at 43'ogns and 4gns. Stud Rams.—Messrs Percy Bros. (4(>>£gus), A. Dalziell (Signs), and J. Christoffel (2() 1 were the principal buyers in this section Flock Lincolns: Splendid prices were realised for all flock lines, 2-tooth ewes bringing 2(is (id, 4-tooth 2os '.Id, and (5-tooth 27s Id, 4-year 24s Sd; lambs fetching 18s 3d and 14s 3d. Wether lambs brought 10s fid and 2-tooth wethers 14s 7d.