HAVELOCK RAM FAIR.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 28, 19 February 1873, Page 2

HAVELOCK RAM FAIR.

(From the Napier Telegraph.) The sale commenced by Mr Rhodes sheep being offered, Lincoln and Leicesters. That there should be no enthusiasm in the bidding, no competition evidenced for the purchase of these sheep, excited no surprise, for there had evidently been a mistake. No one who had heard of Mr Rhodes’ sheep could believe that he was answerable for such a lot being brought in for exhibition, in vain the Auctioneer called attention to their worth. No one would listen to the voice of the charmer; in vain did he assure them, that such another opportunity for an investment would never be had, no one responded, and the person in charge had to withdraw them. Subsequently, Mr Couper bought some seventy or eighty at 30s a-head, whilst Mr Gilligan, gave 27s 6d for another lot of ten. Mr Powdreu also bought some of the lamb rams at £2 a-head. After these followed Mr Nelson’s Lincoln and Leicester rams, a pen of nine was put up, and after some quick bidding, was knocked down to Mr Fleming at £3 5s a-head. The general impression being that Mr Fleming had made a successful hit. The next lot of ten commenced at £2, and rapidly rose to £9 ss; the fortunate purchaser being Mr S. Johnson. The following lot of ten at once began at £3, rnd quickly ran up to £8 ; Mr A. Brown being the purchaser. The fourth loth was started at £5, and were knocked down to Mr Coleman, one of the best judges of long-woolled sheep in New Zealand, at £l5. Had a less experienced breeder given this sum there might be some doubt as to the yalne of these animals, but the fact of Mr Coleman having bought them is no little compliment to Mr Nelson. Then came Mr Williams’ lots, and a prettier and better class of sheep it would be difficult to find. The first pen of ten were knocked down to Mr Bennett at £3 2s 9d. The second pen, also of ten, were bought at £3 10s, whilst the third lot, ten, were sold to Mr W. Birch at £2 2s 6d; all' these were Lincoln-Leicester sheep. Then followed another batch of Mr Nelson’s, twenty. Mr A. Brown bought five at £3 ; Mr Coleman’ five at £3; and Mr R. P. Williams, ten at £2 10s. Another pen of ten more were bought by Mr Waldron, at £2 15. Then a lot of Leicester rams, twenty, were down ; to Mr Chambers, at £2 2s 6d- A small lot of three were also bought by Mr Chambers, at 255. After these followed Mr. Tanner’s Lincolns and Leicesters. These were pronounced a credit to the breeder, and it was expected high rates would be given. In some of the pens, the sheep had evidently taken more after the Lincolns, for there was a gldssy silkness about the wool, making it particularly soft to the touch. Ths first lot of twenty Lincoln-Leicester ram lamb's were knocked down to Mr. Condy at £1 15. Mr. M'Hardy bought the second ‘lot of nine nuns, six full mouth, at £1 6s. Mr. Bennett gave £2 for six; whilst Mr. Giiligan, from the coast, bought seventy at £llss a head. Another lot of twenty fell to Mr. Dolbel for the same sum; and Mr. M'Dougal got ten for £ll2s 6d, and a lot of fifty at £1 7s 6d.

Mr. Daries* small lot of Lincoln ram lambs were withdrawn, but afterwards sold to Mr. M‘Master, of Wairarapa, for £5 10s a piece. Mr. Davies would have found it to his interest not to have shown his sheep, and Mr. M’Master can congratulate himself as one of the number was valued by a high authority at £lO before the sale began. Mr. Heslop’s lot then came to the hammer, these were Lincoln-Leicester sheep in excellent condition, and a credit to that gentleman, though the wool showed more of, the Leicester character than of the Lincoln; of these nine were sold to Mr. Chambers for £1 12s 6d; nine others for £llos to the same gentleman, who also bought the greater part at about the same price. The lambs were retained by Mr. Heelop, who justly valued them at a higher rate than was bid, though it is understood he got his price, after the sale of the long-woolled sheep, qna sent the auctioneer to Mr. Towgood’s merinos. These sheep had been bred by Mr. Stokes, and were excellent of their class. Mr. Parsons bought ten at 50s a head, and Mr. M*Master twenty-one nt about £2. Five nuns, from Learmouth rams,- bred by Mr. Condy nt Mr. M‘Lean’s station, were then put up and sold to Mr. J. Drummond, of the Wairarapa, for 25s a-hea'’. Last of all came some Merino rams sent for sale by Mr. Cardswell. Mr. M'Master bought twenty of them at 21s, and Mr Douglas thirty at 20s; thus closing a most successful day for all concerned. General disappointment was felt that none of the Merino sheep from Dunedin were exhibited, and more than one had hoped to have seen some of Mr. Canning’s well-known Cotswold’s, but as he has found it difficult to supply the calls made upon him, it was out of the question on this occasion.