Puhatikotiko Stock Sale.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 37, 13 February 1901, Page 3

Puhatikotiko Stock Sale.

A SUCCESSFUL FAIR. As a rale but little interest attaches to a stock sale except to those immediately concerned in buying and selling, but given a perfect day, a delightful drive—a good whip and a fine pair of horses—through some of the most charming country in the colony, and some of the elements of a well organised picnic were discovered in the day’s outing afforded by Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. and Wyllie and Mason’s stock sale at Puhatikotiko yesterday. There was a great crowd of settlers from all parts of the district, and amongst those present were Messrs Murphy, Bellerby, J. Orr, J. Ciesar, J. R. Atkins, Hutchison (2), McLean (2), Campbell, Shelton, Tiffen, Hinton, Muir, Evans, Colcbrooke, McKenzie (2), V. Thompson, Price, Scott, Reid, Pritchard, Craze, Lewis, Trotter, Campbell Thomson, and a host of others whose names wo were unable to ascertain. The spot selected for the sale was Mr W. Hutchinson’s yards at Puhatikotiko, an ideal site for such a day, commanding a very extensive view of the district around. The yards arc situated on a bit of a tableland overlooking a lower level formed ages ago by the Waipaoa River. Mr Hutchinson's yards and paddocks are particularly well adapted for the purpose of a large fair, and there was not fVin f. r»vn«rrlino is froriArnllv CPATI

at the ordinary stock sales, whilst the sheep were well displayed. Mr AV. Oman, the popular host of the Karaka Hotel, had a conditional license for the sale of liquor, which was found to be a great boon to thirsty travellers who had journeyed a I matter of thirty or forty miles to attend I cjolac Mv Oman n.lsn tVmnfrht.fnll v

provided a light luncheon, which was much appreciated by those present. Mr J. B. Kells, who acted as auctioneer for Messrs Common, Shelton and Co., stated that Messrs Wyllie and Mason and his own firm were making a new departure that day in starting up-country sales. They had a fine lot of sheep and horses to offer, and he hoped that buyers would bid up freely. Mr Kells opened the sale with submitting a polo pony which, though a nice animal of its kind, had no admirers and was passed. Mr G. It. Wyllio followed with a mixed lot of "horses, the chief of which wero offered on account of Mr E. Thomson, and all found purchasers at prices ranging from £3 up to .CIO ss. . After the luncheon adjournment the sale of ] the sheep took place. Several large lines of five-year-old owes wore offered by Messrs , Common, Shelton and Co. and started . at 7s they ran to 8s 6d, at which figure , f.l-iAxr ii/rira anl/1 AT/'ccvc TVrr»Tif>n.n n.nrl fVimao

being among tho buyers. Mr G. R. Wyllic had a nice liilo of fresh five-year-old owes, from Ngatapa station, which wore next submitted. “ They look at their worst in the paddock,” remarked the auctioneer as they wore started by Mr Murphy at 7s. Othor bids followed, and there was a panso at 8s 4d., at which price they were passed, but a few minutes later were taken by Mr H. E. Tiffen at 9s. Several lots of lambs were also sold at recent prices. Mr Knox secured a good line of 524 shorn well-grown lambs at 6s 4d. Two or three choice lots of wethers were sold at late rates. One line in particular, consisting of 250 shorn six and four mouthed wethers,

requiring about six weeks to fatten and make them ready for freezing purposes, brought keen competition. They were started by a good judge of stock at 10s, and in sixpenny bids ran to 11s 6d. “■ These arc shoop that should sell lilco hotpies,” was the remark passed by Mr Kells. In penny bids the price rose to 12s 3d, but 12s 6d was the reserve and they were passed, though we understand they were afterwards quitted at 12s sd. A lino of merino and Lincoln wethers were sold to Mr Pritchard at 10s 3d, and a thousand four-tooth ewes wore sold to Mr W. Hutchinson at 10s 6d, also a lot of Wailnika cull owes to Mr Itoid. All the other lines were cleared at late prices. A small lot of Romnoy-Lincoln rams were sold at 15s. The sale concluded with a number of horses offored on behalf of Native owners by Messrs Wyllie and Mason, and these wore purchased by Mr Comer at prices ranging from .£3 to £l4. The sale concluded in good timo. The firms mentioned have reason to bo proud of tho sale, which was of an experimental nature, and are to be congratulated upon tho enterprise shown in holding a fair so far from Gisborne. It is to be hoped in the interests of the settlers that they will sec their way to liavo regular sales in the Karaka district.

Messrs Wyllie and Mason and Common, Shelton and Co. hold their monthly sale at tho Waeronga-a-hika yards to-morrow at half-past eleven, when, a fine lot of sheep and cattle will be offored.