RETIREMENT OF A HEREFORD CATTLE BREEDER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 336, 23 January 1889, Page 3

RETIREMENT OF A HEREFORD CATTLE BREEDER.

Ox October 18fch last the Hereford cattle of Mr Duckfaam were sold owing to his retirement from the business of Hereford breeding with which his name was long and honourably associated. A writer in the Live Stock Journal, referring to the sale illudes to his "incalculably great services to the Hereford interest." He goes on to observe : — "We know how the Hereford has spread over the face of the earth and how beneficial its presence in other countries besides our own is acknowledged to be, but vre can scarcely yet estimate, as the people of future days will more justly estimate the extent to which the world is indebted to Mr Duckham. We are his debtors, primarily, for his support of the breed and the preservation of its genealogical records, in the days when no one else would undertake the thankless task which he pursued to success through long years of discouragement, and subsequently for his timely advocacy of the Hereford cause in America^.Mr Duckham's cattle are to be sold a few days hence, and the herd about to be dispersed, descended from stock which produced winners so long as Mr Duckham cared for exhibition honours, has amply proved his ability as a judge and breeder. It is, however, for his indefatigable energy and determination in carrying on the Herdbook through the most disheartening times, and in making the merits of the Hereford breed known, that we owe to him "this acknowledgment, which the whole body of .Hereford breeders cannot fail to endorse."