EXTENSIVE SALE OF SHEEP AT BARWON PARK.

Western Star, Issue 174, 6 January 1877, Page 3

EXTENSIVE SALE OF SHEEP AT BARWON PARK.

The dispersion of the long-woolled flocks of the late Mr Austin, of Barwon Park, was, some fire years ago, one of the most noteworthy occurrences of its kind. High-class Lincolns were at that time a rarity, and the enterprising proprietor of the estate had taken a leading position amongst breeders of long-woolled sheep. The distribution of Mr Austin's stock no doubt gave a powerful impulse to the breeding of that particular kind of stock ; Lincolns and Leicesters became the fashion —even crossbreds betwoen long-wools and merinos were sought after, and readily purchased at long prices, but the demand for the latter having been supplied, high prices now aro only obtainable for animals of unimpeachable purity of blood. This altered condition of the market was demonstrated on Thursday, when the sale of the pure Lincoln and crossbred flocks of Mr W. H. Bullivant was held at Banvon-park, in consequence of his lease of the property being about to terminate. The announcement by Messrs Powers, Rutherford, and Co. of the intended sale of 32,000 sheep drew together a large number of visitors, about 100 of whom came by special train froiu Groelong and Melbourne. Luncheon, which hod. been provided on a profusely liberal scale, having been dissussed by half past twelve, Mr A. P. Budd commenced" the sale with 50 pure Lincoln ewes of different ages, which were offered singly and found purchasers at rates ranging from 5 guineas to 40 guineas, the principal buyers being Mr Thomas Bath, Messrs J. aud S. Austin, P. Thompson, Connor, and GHover. The range of prices wa3 not so great in Lincoln ewe weaners, the whole being taken at from 8 to 10 guineas. The offer of the pure imported rams Cardiff, Robin Hood, and Little John excited a rather better, competition, but the bidding waa ty n® means brisk, and the lots went cheap at 60 guineas, 27 guineas, and 22 guineas respectively, Mr T. Bath getting the two first. The pure Lincoln ram weaners went at from 3 to 9 guineas; the 50 shorn rams ai from 3 to 7& guinoas. Nearly-pure Lincoln owes and rams by Robin Hood and Little John went very low, ranging from 24s to 303. Specially selected ewes ranged up to 6 guineas. 181 nearly pur» Lincoln ewes went at from 10s to 41s; 500 nearly pure ewes,, two years old, went at 12s ; 530, three years old, at 6s ; 1060 at 7s; 490 at 9s 3d ; 1574 at&s; 2000 yearling crossbreds at 6s to 6s 9d, andso on. Several thousand of the wethers made 14s 9d. The wethers, indeed, were by far the best and most even of the lots. The ewes evinced a want of classing, which was doubtless the principal cause of their realising such low figures. The total sum realised by the sheep was about £14,000. A commencement was afterwards made *villi the cattle —ordinary stock, which made from £8 10s for store bullocks to £2 10s for yearlings.—Australasian.