A TON OF MEAT.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 August 1926, Page 4

A TON OF MEAT.

WORLD’S RECORD BULLOCK. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 14. Stock men and tlie public generally have been much interested during the week' in the champion bullock sold at tho National market last week, .and the weight guessing competition held in connexion with the unemployment fund. The bullock, a purebred Friesian, was bred by Air A. S. Elwortliy, Timaru, and was bought several years ago and fattened by Air A; .J. Keith, Ashburton, by whom it was sold at the ‘‘National” and purchased by Dixon Bros., oE Christchurch, for £9O. English stock annals refer frequently to a famous “Durham ox,” which astonished the people in the early years of last century hv his tremendous size. Ho was travelled in a specially constructed van upwards of 3000 miles between 1801 and 1807 and publicly exhibited. An offer of £‘2ooo was refused for him on one occasion. At the end of his career ho turned the scale live weight at 34cwt (38081 b). This famous beast has never been approached for weight; in the British Isles and it appeared that the record was to remain unbroken. Much speculation, therefore, has been occasioned amongst stock men as to whether Air Keith’s Colossus compared with the' old-time English champion. Twelve months ago last June lie weighed 30531 b but fell back severalhundred pounds in weight under the stress of travelling. Back in the familiar surroundings of his home ho soon regained his lost avoirdupois. Air Keith being confident, that he would at this period have exceeded the record of the Durhalm champion. However, the animal was slaughtered and weighed yesterday morning and the old time English record was broken. Tho bullock turned the scale at 2394.11 b dead weight, as against the Durham ox’s 23321 b, tho Friesian therefore having the advantage of 7211 b. The heaviest Australian bullock on record several decades ago dressed 19931 b, and hs even America bps not put forward anything approaching the English champion, Air Keith’s giant may he regarded as tlie heaviest on record.