OAMARU RAM FAIR.

Southland Times, Issue 634, 20 February 1867, Page 3

OAMARU RAM FAIR.

(From the Oaniaru Times.)

. The day appointed for the holding of xmr first Earn Fair — Friday last — dawned very inauspiciously, and continued unfavorable till about noon, when the weather improved and rain, ceased to fall. The weather, also, for some time previous, had not been favorable for the bringing forward of stock in good condition. From these and other causes we may say that the fair did not turn out such a success as regards its primary object — the disposal of rams — as we could have wished. To a certain degree, however, this might have been expected, from the fact of its being but a first experiment. It was decidedly successful, so far as bringing together the best breeds, not only of this Province and Canterbury, but also from various parts of Australia, and from Auckland. The Merinos were admittedly superior to any lot of rams ever brought together in New Zealand. The long wools were good, but from the low prices offered few were sold. Altogether, buyers was the great want of the fair, many having been already supplied, and others were doubtful of any number of first-class sheep being offered. This latter point is now settled for the future, as, should succeeding fairs be held at a more suitable season, the chief breeders will heartily support the fair. The Society had the pens well arranged on the Esplanade. The visitors during the day were not so numerous as might have been expected. ¥c append a report furnished to us by Messrs Eoyse, Mudie and Miller. In addition to the stock therein referred to, the following lots were exhibited: — J. 9 Leicester rams (Every M'Lean, Esq., Auckland) ; 897 Merinos (Messrs Borton and M'Master) ; 28 Merinos (Messrs Lees and Lees) ; 15 Mericos (Mr Mason) ; and 210 mixed half-bred Leicester lambs (Messrs Calcutt ;nd Menlove). Messrs Eoyse, Mudie and Miller report as follows : — Nos. 1 to 4 were Leicesters, bred by Mr Hunter; the best pens brought in— the culls were well disposed of. Long Wools. Pen 5 — F. F. Nixon's aged Leicesters, sold at £4* each." ..•; . • Pens t) and 7— E. "Campbell, Es^r's 2-

Shropshire Downs, sold at £7 each ; 1 Cotswold at £10 10s ; 1 Lincoln at £16. Pure Merinos. 13 to 16— Mr Teschemaker's 2-tooth stud rams, very valuable, heavilv-woolled Merinos. After keen competition, 10 were knocked down to Mr Studholrae at £14* each. Fen 17— Mr James Hassell's 7 aged pure Merino rams, sold at £7 each. Pen 18 — Messrs Holmes and Co.'s 21 pure Merino stud ewes, sold at £3 each. -.. Pen 22— W. H. Williams, Esq., sample pen, 130 sold at £5 55." . Pens 23 and 24— Messrs White and Selfe's, sample pens, beautifully woolled, no sale. Pen 25— R. Q. Kermode, 60 4 and 6 tooth rams, although of first quality, no sale. Pen 26— Mr M'Lanachan, 100 ditto ditto. Pen 27 — Messrs Holmes and Co., 50 ditto, ditto. Pens 28 and 29— Messrs Fishers, 150 ditto, ditto. Pen 30— Messrs Julius— not offered by public sale. Pen 32— Mr Hurst, 300 4-tooth— no offer. ■■■■■• Pens 35 and 36— Mr T. B. Neilson, 2, 4, and 8-tooth — no off^*. Pen 39— Half bred" Leicester mixed lambs, bought in at 26s per pair. We also sold 1 5 year old mare, bred by M. Holmes, Esq., for £100 ; and 1 yearling entire by Lofty, for the same gentlemen, for £45; and 1 4-year old bull at £18. All other cattle were withdrawn. At 7 o'clock in the evening a dinner , took place in Bennett's Assembly Rooms, which was well attended.