MASTERTON RAM FAIR.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 437, 20 February 1909, Page 7

MASTERTON RAM FAIR.

SALES OF FLOCK SHEEP. ENGLISH LEICESTERS AND SOUTHDOWNS IN DEMAND. ' (BY TF.IjEGKAPK —SPECIAIj CORRESPONDENT.) Masterton, February 19. Messrs. Dalgety and C 0.,. Limited, report:—The annual ram fair was brought to •a closo to-day,', wlicn flock sheep of all Bcriptions wero offored. The attendance was very-satisfactory, a largo number or buyers being presont, Tho sale, commenced with flock Romneys,'and,-for this breed of shoop, biddin" could'not be called spirited, only exceptionally good rams , commanding any-, thing like keen competition. The quality of the Romneys offered was, on. the whole, good. Inferior rams were quite neglected, and mnny pens had to, be. turned out without a bid being received. .English,Leicestors were very saleable at good average prices, and, this year, there was keener competition for this breed of ram than has been the caso for somo. years past, Doubtless this is accounted for owing to .the fact that breeders who /Wero interested in. the. fat lamb trade appreciated the fact that Southdpwns .were likely to rule at^ ; -exceptionally high pnpeß,. and, failing being able to buy the t latter class ,of ram, some attention. was given to English Leicesters. Only a small entry of Border Leicesters was catalogued, and theso rams, did riot oommand muoh • attention. Southdowns were very keenly inquired for, and spirited bidding was elicited -. for all sheep offered. 'Some very'high prices were obtained for: flock rams of ;this breed, and the entry was hardly sufficient to meet _ all inquiries, Shropshires were very saleable. Some exceptionally good sheep of this class were offered and satisfactory prices were obtained for all rams showing any quality in Romneys. , Some of our .prinoipal sales were as follow:—On account of',Mr. B. W-, Allen, 1-shear Ro'mnev ram at 3J guineas; on account of. Mr, W. M'Leod, 1-shear Romney Tams, at 2'J to 3J guineas; on account.of Mr. Q. Donald, 1-shear Romney rams, 3 to 3J guineas; on account of Mr. W. E, Bidwill,, I-shear Ronihey. rams, 3 to 4} guineas; on' account of M'Gregor Bros.; 1-shear-Romney rams, 3i. to:41 guineas; on account of Mr. E. Eglingtpn, 1-shear Romney rams, 1J to 2 guineas; on account of Mr. J. G..Oates, 1sliear ■ Romney ram's, 2 guineas; on account of Gray 8r05.,.1-shear Romney:rams, 3 to 4 guineas, English Leioesters: On account of Slick ' 8r05.,. .. Palmerston North, : 1-shear rams, 2} to 3 guineas; on account of Mr. ,W. C. Buchanan, 1-shear rams, 2J guineas. Southdown rams: On acoou.nt of Gray Bros., 1-shear-:.rams,■ 61 to, 7i"guineas; on account!of Messrs.'.Williams Bros., 3-shear. rams, 2i to'3l guineas; Flock Shropshires: On account of Mr. W. Rayrier, flock Shropshires, from 4? to 6 guineas ; on'account of Mr. W. M'Kenzie, 1-shear rams,_ 3 to 3J guineason account of;Mr, v -C. Diokson, 1shear rams, 3 to. 31 guineas. . ',