IMPORTED STUD SHEEP.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1787, 12 November 1879, Page 3

IMPORTED STUD SHEEP.

To-morrow Messrs R. Wilkin and Co. will offer for sale at their Wool Stores, in conjunction with Messrs J. T. Ford and Co., some ,of the grandest merino sheep ever seen in Canterbury, They are from the flocks of Messrs W. A. Kermode, Archer, Gibson, Toosey, and Jones, of Tasmania, and have attracted a large amount of attention from sheep breeders. The sheep hove arrived in grand condition, having been well cared for by Mr Tabart, who came with them. First to attract attention is a splendid lot of four and six tooth merino stud rams of the purest breed. These are from the celebrated flock of Mr W. A. Kermode, of Mona Vale, the oldest and purest in Australia. Xt is remarkable that this is the first occasion upon which sheep of this flock have been offered for sale here. They are remarkable for length of staple of wool, lustre, and purity. The pens under notice are beautifully even in quality, well clothed, and of large frame. When it is mentioned that these sheep are of the celebrated Premier blood, breeders will know that they are as full of quality as they can be, and no doubt will be eagerly sought after by the Canterbury flockmasters to improve their blood. Those who have not yet seen these sheep should pay them a visit. The ewes from the same flock are also of a very high class, being well covered with long staple and lustrous wool. Beyond these is a lot of ten pure Merino rams, bred by Mr W. H. Gibson, whose brand of W.H.G. is well and favorably known on the other side and here, last year a* a sale of these sheep ten of the rams totted up 1262 2 guineas, and ten ewes 505 guineas. The pick of the basket here though really where aU are so good it is hard to select any ona especially—is a two-tooth ram. At the principal show in Tasmania, held at Campbell Town on the Bth October, this sheep was awarded first prize in his class, and also Champion prize, a silver cup value twenty guineas, as the best ram in the yard (twenty-three exhibits, all ages); sire the champion ram Sir Thomas the 2nd; grandsire Sir Thomas the Ist; dam by champion ram Merino; granddam a prize ewe by champion ram Tasman. He is a splendidly covered ram of large carcase, with fine lustrous wool of great length. The ewes are also of a very high class. Next to this are several rams of the I.D.T. brand, many of them being by Sir Thomas, Golden Drop. Duke of Richmond, and Samson. The latter was bred by and is the property of Mr James Gibson, last year in low condition, yielded IGlbs. of wool; he is by old Sir Thomas. Duke .of Richmond, a very long bright woolled ram, was bred by Mr J. D. Toosey. jun., by Mr James Gibson’s Golden Drop. The I.D.T. wool, hot water washed, has for many years past been placed amongst the highest figures m the London wool sales, and in May, 1878, realised in London 3s per lb. all round, including floor sweepings, the pure fleeco from 3s 104 d P er 1". downwards. These are very grand sheep, and the same may be said of their neighbors, bredJiy Mr Gibson, Belle Vue, Tasmania. Of the other merinos it sufiiees to say that they are all of very high class. The Leicesters are perfect pictures, the wool having a lustre and length rarely if ever seen in this colony. Indeed the whole importation is admitted by competent judges to be the finest yet shown here. CANTERBURY PHILOSOPHICAL INSTITUTE. The following was the report submitted to the meeting last week : Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, 1879, In submitting their annual report for the year 1879, the Council have to congratulate the members of the Philosophical Institute on having just completed one of the most successful years since the foundation of the 10 The Council adopted injthe early part of the session the recommendation of the Council of the previous year, in the establishment of a series of popular lectures, and in using snob means as lay in their power to render the society more popular; by these means the number of new members who have been induced to join the Institute during the year is far in advance of any increase which has been made in former years. During the year 103 new members have been elected, making the total number of members at the present time 219. The following papers have been read during the year :—■ February 13th— Professor Bickerton, “ On the Origin of the Universe,” February 27th— Professor Bickerton, On the General Problem of Stellar Impact.” March 6th—Mr 0. W. Adams, “On a Universal Code of Signals.” . April 3rd—The conversazione was held in the Provincial Council Chamber on April 3rd, when there was a very largo attendance of members and their friends. Professor Bickerton, the president, read the opening address, “ On the Genesis of Worlds and Systems.” June Sth—Mr W. M. Maskell, “ Some Further Observations an the Scale Insects of New Zealand.” Mr R. W. Fereday, “A New Genus and Species of Butterfly, of the Subfamily Satyrime.” July 3rd—Professor Bickerton, “ The Birth of Nebula:.” Mr Murphy, “On Rust.” August 7th—Mr O. W. Adams, “Notai upon the Height of Mount Cook,” Pro' feasor von Haaat, “ On a Manufactory ol Stone Implements, Otaki Creek, Brighton Otago.” September 4th—Rev. J. W. Stack, “ Oi the Color Sense of the Maori.” Rev. J. Vf Stock, " On Remarks of Mr McKenzi Cameron's Theory Regarding the Kahn Tipua.” October 2nd—Mr J. Armstrong, “ On th Flora of Canterbury,!'with a Catalogue o Canterbury Plants.” In addition to these papers, the followinj popular lectures have been delivered dnrini

the session in the Science Lecture Theatre of the Canterbury College (for the use of which the members are indebted to the Board of Governors of Canterbury College). April—Professor von Haast, *• Pictorial Art, Illustrated by the Collection of Pictures of the Arundel Society.” . May—Professor Bickerton, 11 On Artificial Illumination.” _ , ~ , June—Nelson K. Oherrill, “ On the Modern Magic Lantern.” J uly—Mr Clomenshaw, “On the Modern Manufacture and Economic Consumption of Gas.” August—Mr E. Dobson, “On Constructive Art in the Homeric Age.” September Professor Bickerton, On Astronomy.” _ „ „ October —Rev. J. "VV■ Stack, On the Maori.” Upon each occasion refreshments were provided, and after the lectures there was an exhibition of scientific apparatus, or dissaving views. Owing to the large accession of new members, the Council has found itself in possession of a largo surplus balance of cash, to be expended in forwarding the interests of the members; and the following special sums have been voted during the year : A special credit of £3O was granted to Professor von Haast, to be expended by him in Sydney in the purchase of any objects which, in his opinion, would be useful to the institute. , , , The sum of £2O was voted for the purchase of cheap microscopes, for the special use of the members at the ordinary meetings. The sum of £IOO was voted for the purchase of works of reference as an addition to the library, and advertisements having been published asking those _ members of the society who were engaged in research work to apply for any books they might require, the following allotments were made : Rev. J, W. Stack ... £ll 15 0 W. M. Masked 15 0 0 Dr. Haast ... ... 10 0 0 R. W. Fereday 11 17 6 Professor Bickerton ... 10 0 0 Dr. W. H.CSymes ... 610 0 Mr Mouutfoit ... ... 10 0 0 Mr Grey 9 0 0 Mr O. W. Adams ... 5 0 0 • Mollet 5 0 0 Yon Tunzleman 5 0 0 Others 410 0 £lO3 12 6 These works were ordered by the secretary by the Suez mail in September, The microscopical section has done a large amount of work during the year,_ having held regular meetings, but this section, as well as the general body of members, has suffered during the year a serious loss in the much lamented death of its chairman, Dr. Powell, a gentleman who had _ taken an active part in all matters of interest to the institute during the entire time of his residence in the city. The Council, in concluding their report, wish to express a hope that the vigorous life, shown by the institute during the season now brought to a close may be sustained, and even exceeded in the next year. They would point out to members that although the institute is now numerically one of the strongest societies of the colony, there is a great need of an increase of active work amongst the members as individuals. The Council feels that a far larger number of members might contribute to the general share of knowledge and instruction than at present ; and whilst the Council earnestly hopes for a large accession of new members during the next session, they also hope that those who are already members will do more to avail themselves of the many advantages which belong jto them as members of the Philosophical Institute.