TURKEYS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1927, Page 4

TURKEYS

MARCH OE A BTG FLOCK. ATTLEBOROI-GH, Norfolk. Oct. 14. The Michaelmas sale of Norfolk turkeys at Attleborough is the most remarkable sight of its kind in this country, as well as the first sign of approaching Christmas. Nearly 4,000 turkeys, a record number, were driven into the old town this morning. They arrived. 40 or .10 together, in farm waggons, in two-ton motor-lorries bolding as many as 70. and some actually in saloon motor-cars. One consignment of .‘i"> came in an omnibus with straw on the seats, on which they sat like passengers. AA'ben the door was opened 35 complacent lares regarded the attendant as much as to sav. Don’t disturb us. AVe’re j quite comfortable.” DEARER THAN LAST YEAR. Large numbers of buyers attended, and trade was sharp. .Air John Salter started to sell, generally in lots of 10. soon after 11 a.m., and finished in 2.) hours. Prices ranged up to Ills each, each and were a little dearer than last year. The average was about Is (id per lh. One purchase was of 2114 birds, which cost £'242 14s. Many of the bigger birds will he killed within a few days and put into cold store. The rest will lie fattened to heavier weights. Some will supply the Christmas dinner in ships, which will be at sea on December 25. MARCH TO THE STATION. The climax of the day’s doings is the marshalling of the purchased flocks for! the quarter-mile journey on foot through the streets to the railway) station. One flock of some hundreds, I formed of purchases from many pens, was laboriously got together. Encircled . by men and boys carrying long sticks. J whips with handkerchiefs tied on the lash, scarves pieces of sacking, or an* -, thing they could wave, we awaited the word to advance. I ‘‘Have you got ’em all?” shouted the owner. “ Yes, all hero.” | “ Let ’em go then.” ! The circle opened, the whips, sticks, handkerchiefs and scarves were waved with gusto, and slowly, amid a babel of, turkey chatter, the snn glinting on their glossy backs, the huge flock issued upon the road. Apart from a few minor mishaps the station was reached safely. A feature of the day was a revival of the old Norfolk goose, which had not been seen for several years.