Annual Ram Fair.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 11 February 1890, Page 2

Annual Ram Fair.

The annual run fair, held by tlio \vell-kn-"wn auctioneering firms of Messrs Stfivens and Gorton and Freeman R Jackson and Co., on the A. nnd P. Sliow grounds, was a cid-d success. The attondiince of buy or a was large, aud included viiitom from cliatviotji north au&

son h of M nawatu, aud bi ( (*i ig ' t loroughout whs sp ri cd. It is alleged that the au. tioneers m&de a mist ke in offering such a large •i amber of rams, find in consequence the p:i-es v«<-e htro!>y somew'ia' affect d. Whet 1 er 'his is the case or not we leave flock owners to j \ g j but it may b^ pointed <ut that in ■ilm st »very i stmca t Tie res> rv s I were rea hed, and in rainy cases tli" ■■rices rea 131-(( far cxc ed^d tlie owner's exp cations. I is true that some exceptio al y goo 1 rams werejsoid at very cheap rates, especially the Eomney Harsh, f->r which there was not so good a damand as on former Occasions, notwithstanding that tke two wellknoTm breeders. Messrs Cobb and Wheelw, showed some of the best of their flocks. For the Lincolns a good demand was experienced, and prices "were fully up to the standard of last year. Only four Shrosphire Down rams, from the Oroua Downs estate, were offerei, and they readily found purchasers at 3 and 3| guineas each. One •'outhdo wn ram, an excellent specimen, was sold on account of Mr G. Wheeler for 4 guineas. Ths yarding of the sheep had been carelully carried out by the employees of the| two firms, and no time was lost in running th 9 rams through the large sale pen. The catalogues this year proved mysterious to buyers, and it was found almost impossible to fol off the sals by them. The firms will requ'ra to make a new arrangement in this respect next year. Precisely at noon Colonel Gorton opened the sale, and within the firs t half-hour succeeded in di-posing of 6*2 rams, and Mr F. R. Jackson followed in the next 80 minutes with an eqnally good record. ltogefclier about 600 rams were offered and disposed of within 5] hours, a good record, which speaks volume? for the energy of the auctioneers, and the smartness of their employees. The fol owing wore the prices realise ion i-ccount of the different tireedtU'S . — , Messrs Stevens ,\xd Gorton. Liucolns— Mr H, Gaisford, Waipukurau, 16 rams at 3gs, and 2 0 from 2gs 2.Jgs, Mr W. Rathbone 2 0 rams at from 2-Jgs to 3Jgs ; 20 at from 2gs to 2-Jg-s. Mr J. McLennan. 17 rams at from lips te 2fgs, and 10 at from liga to 2£ga. Mr E. Wilson, 7 rams at 2-igs. P. Stewart 30 offered and one sold at 2gs. Mr J. Raynor, 10 offered and sold ab 2|-2s to 6gs. Romneys— Mr G. Wheeler, 15 sold at 2gs to 3-J-gs and 16 a fr«m Sgß tosgs. Mr A.. Matthews, 15 offereed and 2 sold at H-*s aud 10 offered and 5 sold at l|gs. Mr E Yanghan, 10 offered and 3 sold at 1 to 2gs. Messrs F. R Jacksox & Co. Lincolns— Mr J. Collins, Hawke's Ray, 20 rams, 4gs ; Mr Tanner, Hawke's Bay, 5 rams, 3gs ; Mr J. Baker, Fonlell, 11 rams 4Jgs ; Mr J. Reid, Elderslie, 5 rams, l^gs, F. Sutton, Southerhuid, 10 ranis sgs ; Mr T. Bryce, Marton, 9 rams, 3-Jgs ; Mr J. McLennan, Orona Dnvns, 39 rams, old sheep, l : »-gs; Mr J. TbreU keld, Canterbury, 13 rams, 3gs ; Mr J. and W. Blair, Wanganui, 47 rams, I^-gs. Romneys— Mr R. Cobb, Rcukawa , 50 ram?, 3gs. Shropshire Down— Mr J. Mauson, Palmers on, 11 rams at 4-J-gs, and 5 old rams at 2ga. In referring in the above to the Shropshire Down rams, ws.had for g itten for the moment the excellent specimens of this breed, penned by Mr J". Manson. Tho rams called forth spirited bidding, and tli3 good price of 4} guineas wao obta'ned for the younger sheep. To-day the auctioneer-? informed our representative that the numbsr of shef p was in advance of requirements. Biddiug, they say, for good rams \va^ spirited, considering the large number ofsheep penned, but inferior rams were quite neglect'-d Nearly all the rams in the yards were sold. Mr J. Walkloy Ind a refresh men booth on the ground, and drove at very goo'l business duriug the day.— • M. Times