Campbell Island Sheep

Chronicle (Levin), 9 December 1948, Page 2

Campbell Island Sheep

Press Association )

i Per

WELLINGTON, Dec. 7. A sheep count was taken by the nien at the Campbell Jsland nieterological station, said the leader of the 194S party (Mr. M. O. Hitclungs) on his return to Wellington by H.M.N.Z.M. Kiwi vesterday. The count was made witli the aid of field-glasses by men who made special trips rOund the island. Altogether, 98(5 sheep were counted, but as many were probablv out of sight in the undergrowth when the count was taken, it would be safe to say there were 1500 on the island. Wlicn the sheep station was abandoned in 1927, ! 8(500 sheep had been left on the island. | The decrease in their numbers was prol>ably due to the climate, the faet that they were not shoru, and, in recent years, to tlie numbers killed to provide -fresh jneat for the men at the weather station. The men were now receiving an average of ten eggs a day from 10 j fowls. Introduced a short timo ago, j some of the fowls had died, but tlie i others had adapted themselves to the conditious and were receiviug more greens than when first taken to the island. The garden was improving from year to year, and had had 40 bag> of specially-imported soil added to it about three mouths ago. Lime and I trace elenumts were added regularly, and enough greens were produced-to j provide tlie men with oue salad a weok.