AMURI SHEEP FAIR.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 65, 20 March 1901, Page 1

AMURI SHEEP FAIR.

GREAT PRICES FOR BREEDING EWES. It .was confidently expected that the Amuri sheep fair, field at Culverden, would be a success, but only a few of the most sanguine ever anticipated that prices would reach the extraordinary high level that was recorded. Last year the record price of 17s 8d for two-tooth halfbred ewes was looked upon as something wonderful, but this figure has been left a long way behind, and 22s 9d now stands as a new record for this class of sheep, while fourtooth [halfbred ewes have reached 235. There were between 52,000 and 53,000 sheep entered, of which about 18,000 were halfbred ewes, 15,000 merino ewes, 7500 .fat and store lambs, and the balance halfbred, crossbred, and merino wethers, and of the advertised sheep every line was practically cleared, one or two lots that were passed at auction soon changing hands privately. The sheep were in splendid order, and buyers had no difficulty in seeing what they were purchasing. The keenest demand was manifested throughout for good young ewes, bidding was consequently brisk, and several housand more could readily have been ilaced without prices giving way. Sound _ nd young merino ewes were eagerly ought after by residents in the surroundn<r districts, and sound-mouth and medium |U°ality were mostly taken by the smaller lettlers, while the failing mouths were ihiefly bought for the plains. There was a ack of competition for all wethers, and some of the large graziers in the Ashburton listrict obtained splendid lines at figures ;hat should leave a good margin of profit. [t was anticipated there would be a good demand for halfbred ewes, and, notwithstanding that prices opened well, they hardened after the sale had progressed somewhat, as those buyers who had come from a distance to secure good sheep had to increase their limits in order to obtain what they wanted. Half-bred wethers sold well, especially young sheep with good frames, but there was very little competition for fat lambs and well-grown and well-woolled store lambs were among the cheapest lots sold. In both two and fourtooth halfbred ewes Mr A. \V« -Rutherford topped'the market with drafts from his Brookdale flock, two-tooths reaching 22s 9d, and four-tooths 235, the latter price being paid by Mr H. Lance, of the Gust, the Leslie Hills two-tooths coming next with 21s 9d, and Montrose with 21s 7d. The Montrose ewes brought 17s 8d last year, and the figures reached yesterday will give an idea how much the rise has been? though it , was generally admitted that Mr IV. O. Rutherford’s draft was not so good as that with which he topped the market last year-.: Other good prices realised for two-tdaths were the glens of Tekoa line 21s 3d;%id Messrs Earshman and McKay’s 21s Id, and the top price for two-tooth three-quarter-bred ewes was 20s 3d, made by aline from Mr-A. Macfarlane, Archray.—Cfiristohurch Press,