KEEN INQUIRY

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 7

KEEN INQUIRY

ROMNEY RAMS OFFERED SHEEPBREEDERS’ FIRST FAIR STUD SELLS FOR 40 GUINEAS A keen inquiry for both stud and flock rams was evident when the Waikato Sheepbreeders’ Association held its first annual Romney ram fair at the Claudelands selling pavilion yesterday. An entry of 1035 sheep, mostly one-shear flock rams, came forward in excellent order and sold to spirited bidding, apart from the latter portion of the sale when it was evident that buyers’ require-

One of the auctioneers at yesterday’s fixture. ments had been filled. There was a good attendance of graziers from the Waikato and the King Country. The sale was conducted by Messrs Newton King Limited, G. W. Vercoe and Company Limited, and Wright, Stephenson and Company Limited. Mr A. Smith occupied the rostrum for Newton King Limited, Mr P. G. Vercoe for G. W. Vercoe and Company, and Mr J. McCaw for Wright, Stephenson and Company. Top price of the day was paid for a two-tooth stud entry from Mr E. C. N. Whitelock, of Palmerston North, which was sold to Mr L. G. Purdie, Mahoenui, for 40 gns. Mr C. J. Harding, Huntly, was the purchaser of another outstanding stud ram from the same vendor at 26 gns. A third of Mr Whitelock’s consignment went to Mr J. Upton at 17 gns, while an entry from Mr F. B. M. Gibbison, Kauroa, was knocked down to Mr M. T. McDonald, Te Akau, at 51 gns. Successful Flock Vendor The most successful vendor of flock rams was the well-known Waitetuna breeder, Mr F. C. Johnstone, whose top price averaged 12 gns and made from 10 to 16 gns. Mr Gibbison sold flock rams up to 14 gns, and Mr W. W. Johnstone, Te Kuiti, up to 10 gns. There was keen competition for the sheep from Mr D. G. Forlong, of Bunnythorpe, and a big percentage was cleared at above 6 gns. An entry from far afield, that of Messrs Blair and Sons, Maxwell, received a good reception and up to 7i gns was paid for pens of four oneshear rams. Entries from Mr C. M. Trolove, Aotea, also made up to this figure, while. two local breeders whose sheep were keenly sought were those of Mr P. Bremer, Tamahere, and Mr J. E. Richardson, Te Akau, both of whom sold lots up to 9 gns. Well-conditioned rams sold on behalf of Mr Uloth Johnstone, Whatawhata, were good buying at from 5 to 8* gns, as were several pens from the Shannon vendor, Mr R. McK. Law, which averaged 6 gns. Sold near the end of the sale when bidding was slow, the offering of two-shear rams did not meet the steady demand which was evident for the younger sheep. As a result passings were frequent and the lots sold usually realised prices in buyers’ favour.