IMPORTED SHEEP

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 189, 7 May 1940, Page 3

IMPORTED SHEEP

Fine Consignment From Britain The largest and most important consigumeut of British-bred sheep ever to reach the Dominion was recently landed by Wright Stephenson and Co., Ltd., on behalf of New Zealand clients. The major portion of the shipment comprised Southdowns, but Cheviots, Ryelands and Border Leicesters were also represented. A number of notable prize-winning sheep were included, among which were the Southdown ram that was Royal Champion of England at the Centenary Show held at Windsor last year. Most of these sheep were selected by Mr. C. E. Robertson, manager ot tne bloodstock and stud stock department, of that company, who made an extensive tour of the leading studs and shows ot Britain last year. Uniformity and Quality. The top flocks in England were remarkable for their uniformity and quality, stated Mr. Robertson. The ewes tn these flock® were like peas in a pod bontJidowns were, to a New Zealanders eye of special merit. Ryelands were also of a high standard. In Scotland he was attracted by the Cheviot breed and he was fortunate in securing several outstandiu o ra The shipment was in charge of the well-known sheepman, Mr. George Fawkes, and it included a number of sheep selected by various owners who were themselves visiting Engdand. Mr. Ridd, iunr., selected both a Southdown and a Ryeland ram for Ridd and Sons (Ashhurst), while Mr. J. P. Bradley (Feilding) selected two Southdown rams from the King's Sandringham flock. In addition, Mr. Fawkes brought out a COD' swnment of sheep on his own account. wh?ch have been sold to various breeders in New Zealand.

Southdowus. Particulars of some outstanding Southdown sires in the consignment are as 101-10 10 Account Sir William Perry, •‘Penrose,'’ Masterton: Head Hone Prosper of 19oJ, sired by Aldenham 002 (193 o med Mrs. ~V. G. Stride, whose flocn has been recently dispersed. This flock, remarkable for its type and handling qualities, has supplied sires to many ot the best flocks in England. „ Account Mr. R. M. Perry Kohatu, Masterton: Head Hone Safeguard of 1939, sired bj Head Hone Patience Ihu ram was a prize-winner at both the Ko Jal Counties and the Royal Show. He was generally considered to be the outstand- ; ing ram lamb in England last season, and though he was only placed second at the Chichester show and stile, there was great competition for him and he realized the top price over all ages of Idogns. His sire is a twin brother to Head Hone Prosper. Other rams from this flock were purchased by Mr. H. J. Andrew, of Maheno, , Bushy Park Estate, ot 11. (South), and the ram u PP%k' vel . l . 1 ;t!L < ? J: iqttO sired by Goodwood 00l (iJov), from a ewe of Galtou Park blood was purchased by J. Ridd and Sons, of Ashhurst. This ram had the distinction ot winning the first prize and challenge cup for a single ram at Chichester, also reserve for the Buckland Challenge Cl Account Mr. AV. Price, Feilding: Upper Swell 19 of 1939; sire. Goodwood 00l ot 1936. The sire’s breeding goes back to Head Hone on the dams side, and Gatton Park on the sire’s side, and the dam descends from Buckland 14 or a u Gatton Park H 186, two famous, prizeW Aecount U Mn I W. R. Oakley, Waipukurau: Ford 229 of 1938; sire Alden ham 349 of 1936; dam, Ford ewe 241 of 193. J, by Ford Dandy; bred by Langinead and Son. This ram was a prize-winner at the Royal Show and had several other show successes. His B ran fl si . re ’. • Dandy, was the notable prize-winning son Of AccLun < t h Mr h ‘j.’B. Bradley, Feilding: Sandringham 5 of 1938; sire, Head Hone Onset The Sandringham flock was very at the Royal Show the first-named ram was one ot the hi „ sires were brought out for Southland" two for Auckland province and two for Marlborough; also another account Mr. H. J. Andrew, which was of F °One bl of’ tl 'the supreme , S l? ut j!‘ io wns to arrive was on account of li ;,^ ,ysart r,‘ ir ; s Sons, Seddon, Marlborough: Bognor Re,* 268 of 1937; sire, Gatton I aik Ll<a, dam, Bognor Regis ewe by Ford Bonny Boy- bred by John Langmead and Son (Susasex). In addition to winning the male championship at the Sh° • this ram won the gold medal. He also secured championships at several other shows. He also proved a first-lass stockgetter, as two of his ewe lambs were in the first prize pen at Essex, where they were only beaten for the championship bv the same breeders’ pen of shearling ewes. One of his ram lambs was also included i n the breeders’ prize-winning pen of this sex. Langmead and Son were also the breeders of the noted wire I'ord Chrisother Marlborough purchase was on account of Mr. A. G. Tombs, Spring Creek: Minsted 28 of 1939; sire lord Glory; dam, Wicks ewe 91 of 1936, by Ford Brilliant; bred by Mr. Hugh M yllie (Sussex). This ram won no less than bve prizes and was also third in his class at the Royal Show. y Ryelands. The shipment included four Ryelands. One of these was the first prize and champion ram at the Ryeland show and sale, and this was the first occasion a lam lamb won this- honour. The ram in ques tion Holme Lacy Reformer, won in a great class of 75 ram lambs, and realized 112gns. at auction. He was sired by Holme Lacy President, who was exported to the Argentine. Dr. Barnett, I alirn.iston North, secured this ram for his sou. Mr I R. Barnett. Morrinsville. He also secured the beautiful prizewinning ewe, Holme Lacy Ruth, which was unbeaten, as also was her darn. She also was sued by Holme Lacy President. Mr. Ridd, jun., also purchased one ot this breed for which the Ridd stud is --o well known throughout the Dominon; Holme Lacy Royalist. All were low set, thick and carry fleeces of excellent quality. Cheviots. Though importations of Cheviot sheep have been made in the past from Canada to the Dominion, the present consignment is the first for many years from Scotland. Two of the rams were bred by.-'* l ’. Avin. Thomson, Dumfriesshire. Neither were shown, but their sire, Dulpeddar, S.O.S. was a famous champion, and he is considered one of the best sires and types in Scotland. One of the rams, Dalpeddar Wallace, was selected for Mr. Josepl

Webb, Taihape, and the other, Dalpeddar Bruce for Chambers Brothers, Havelock North. A third ram, Ben Wyvis of Conon Brae, imported by Mr. Fawkes, has also been secured by Mr. Webb. This ram won a number of first prizes and was champion at. the Black Isle show in 1939. His sire was champion at. the same show in 1938. and his dam was also champion the same year, an unusual performance. He is a >h most impressive rain.