What is a Full-mouthed Sheep?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 215, 15 September 1904, Page 2

What is a Full-mouthed Sheep?

DECISION OF MR JUSTICE WILLIAMS. Mr Justice Williams gave his decision on appeal as to what is a fullmouth sheep, at fnvercargill on Snldu.y. His Honor said he was satisfied that the evidence justified the conclusion come to by the magistrate. It was evident that in dealing in sho.'p, when described as fullmouthed, the term applied to ii.ll sheep which had become full-mouthed for the rest of their lives, notwithstanding that the mouths might afterwards become broken. The term full-mouthed simply designated the age, and not the soundness or otherwise of tho teeth. Plaintiffs (who lost their case) admitted that if the auctioneer put up the sheep as fullmouthed, the lirst question asked by buyers was whether any broken mouths were among them, or if all were sound. If the term full-mouth-ed meant sheep with sound mouths there would be no necessity to ask this question at sales by auction. The buyer saw the sheep, and had an opportunity to ascertain their general character, although he nught not ■be able to mouth them, and could alwaysi tell whether it was worth his while to bid, and run the risk of some being- broken mouthed, or decline to bid unless tlie mouths were 'guaranteed sound. Tho appeal was 'dismissed with costs.