LIFE IS LONELY IN PATAGONIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 34, 3 May 1927, Page 1

LIFE IS LONELY IN PATAGONIA

NEW ZEALANDERS ADVISED NOT TO GO THERF DOMINION SHEEP IN DEMAND “No,I do not advise any younct New Zealanders ■ to go to Patagonia.” said Mr. D. M. Philip this morning on his return from that far awav part of South America by the Mataroa. “Life on the stations is very lonely: there is no sport of any kind, and young men are apt to drift into loose ways of living,” he added. “The evils of the flesh are the worst part of life out there.” Mr. Phillip has just returned to New Zealand after taking across to Patagonia a consignment of 415 stud sheep for the big run-holders there. He explained that Patagonia is partly Chile and partly the Argentine and lies on the southern-most point of South America. “I was amazed at Chile,” said Mr. Philip, who has just matfe his second trip there with stud sheep for the firm of Dalgety and Co. “Considering the distance south the country is astonishing. The weight of wool and the percentage and quality of the lambs is amazing. “New Zealand sheep do particularly well in Patagonia,” said Mr. Philip, “and what is more the Chilian stationholders want them. Last year we sent over 102 sheep, this year 415, and we have orders for a shipment for next year.” Mr. Philip explained that a special ship is chartered to take the sheep across from New Zealand. The journey from Port Chalmers to Punta Arenas took only 18 days and only one sheep was lost. This year the sheep cargo was valued at 30,000 guineas. “Every important position in Patagonia is held by Englishmen,” continued Mr. Philip. “There is a large number of New Zealanders managing some of the big stations, which are all owned by Chilians. Many of the stations run up to 145,000 sheep. One company owns 1,800,000 sheep, the biggest there. “I do not like the climate,” said Mr. Philip. “During the summer a constant wind blows from either one side or the other. In the winter-time it is more peaceful and quiet, with plenty of frost and snow. No artificial food is grown for the animals, but there is a good supply of grass most of the year round.”