MASTERTON RAM AND EWE FAIR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 974, 18 February 1910, Page 5

MASTERTON RAM AND EWE FAIR.

FIRST DAY.

DALGETY AND CO., LTD.

Messrs Dalgety and Co., Ltd., report:—The under the auspices of the Masterton Agricultural and Pastoral Association, held their annual Ram and Ewe Fair on the Association's* ground?, yesterday. A large and representative gathering of buyers attended irom all parts of the North Island, the South Island also being well represented. The different breeds of rams set down for offering on the first day of the Fair were Romneys, Southdowns and Shropshires, and as it was anticipated that both Romneys and Southdowns would commar.d much attention a great amount of interest centred in the first day's sale. From the commencement of the present wo 1 selling season the finer wools, especially Romney, have been keeilv sought after, and with the improved demand for such wool satiafactory prices were expected for good young Romney rams. Last season this breed of ram was somewhat neglected when compared with Lincolns, but with the change in fashion in wool the position has been somewhat reversed. At the earlier Fairs already held throughout other parts of the North ! Island a very keen demand was experienced for Romneys, and in a number of cases extreme prices were paid for young rams of quality. At yesterday's Fair no really sensational prices were recorded for either flock or stud Romneys, but prices all round for good conditioned rams showing quality must be considered satisiactory, and sound prices were paid for such sheep. On the whole the quality of the yarding was good, although as usual a fair number of rather inferior sheep came under the hammer, for the latter class bidding was lifeless, and it is evident that breeders all round are much more particular in making their purchases than they were some years ago. Inferior rams were altogether neglected, but good sheep commanded much attention. Some of the sales effected were as follows: —Stud Romneys—On account Gray Bros., two-tooth rams from 6 to 13gns; account Mr Wm. Rayner, two-tooth rams, 9gns; account Mr J. K Hewitt, two-tooth rams, at from 7 to 12gns. x Flock Romneys Account Gray Bros., 4 to 6Jgns; account Quinton Donald, 3f to 7£ gns, account Mr Geo. Sykes, Bgns; account Mr W. H. Buick, at from 4 to 4jtgns; account Mr J. G. Oates, at from 4£ to 4£gns; Mr W. J. Nix, at from 2 1 to 3|gns; account Mr J. E. Hewitt, at from 4 to 6Jgris; account Mr B. H. Slack, at from 31 to4gns; account Mr Wm. McKenzie, at from 4 to 4|gns; account Mr L. McSenzie, at from 3£ to 4gns. Sales of rams from threeshear to f.rn. were also effected at from 1J to 2Jgns. Southdowns— Competition for good yourg rams of this breed was very sound, and all lines offered found ready buyers at very satisfactory prices under the hammer. Every line submitted waa sold by auction, and at the end of the day there were still a number of unsatisfied buyers. In our offering we had some very nice sheep and business was accordingly easy to effect. We also had two lines of Southdown ewes from Canterbury, one from Mr J. Johns and the other from the flock of the estate of the late John Deans. Both lines sold readily, Mr Johns' ewes bringing from 4 to s£gns, and the late Mr John Deans' from 2f to 3fgns. Stud Southdowns—We sold as follows:—Account Mr J. Johns, at from 9to l9gns. Flock Southdowns —Account Mr A. J. Stone-Wigg, at from 5| to 7gns; account Mr J. Johns, a from 5| to 6gns. The Fair will be continued to-day, when Lincolns and Leicesters will be Submitted for sale.

ABRAHAM AND WILLIAMS. Messrs Abraham and Williams, Ltd., report on the first day of the Ram Fair:—Breeds offered were stud and flock Komneys, Southdowns and Shropshires. In Romneys we offered and sold on behalf of the following vendors:—W. H. Buick, studs, 7 to 7£gns; flocks, 5 to 6£gns. W. Perry, studs, 11| to 40gns. H. Warren, 6£ to 7gns. W. Gibson, studs, 8 to 29ens; flocks, 4J to lOgns. E. J. Riddiford, studs, 9 to 35gns; flocks, 7 to 20£gns; average for flocks the best of the day at just under lOgns. W. Rayner. studs, 7 to 18gns; flocks, 7gns. W. B. Allen, studs, 81 to 20gns. Mr Allen's ram sold in aid of the Solway Improvement Fund realised on re-sales a total of £l3l 15s. J. McLeod, flocks, 5£ to 6Jgns. McGregor Bros., flocks, 5 to <,7£gns. G. R. Sykes, flocks, 5 to 7Jgns. A large number of inferior Romneys sold on behalf of various vendors at from 1£ to 4gna. Southdowns—Ellis Bros., studs, 30gns. James Johns, studs, 6 to lOgns; flocks, 5 to 6gns. S. R. Lancaster, flocks, 5 to 7£gns. H. H. Beetham, flocks, four-tooths, 3 to 4fgns. W. H. Beetham, fourtooth flocks, 3 to 4gns. A. J. StoneWigg, 5 to 6gns for flocks. On account of other vendors 2 to 4gns. Shropshires—Peter Cooper, studs, lOgns; flocks, 3 ,to 3igns. Allan Donald, flocks 3 to 4gns. Taken all round the Fair was one of the most successful yet held in Masterton.

I The offering to-morrow will consist ! of Lincolns and Leicesters. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile submitted 300 out of a catalogue of 600 rams. We have to repeat a keen demand for Romneys. Good sound flock rams were quickly picked up, and practically our whole . offering of Romneys were disposed [ of. Notwithstanding the average prices obtaining for fat sheep, Southdowns met a brisk sale, and all offering were disposed of. Shmpahires were not so eagerly sought after. The following averages were obtained for some of our vendors: —Romneys—G. R. Sykes, 6£ to 7gns. A. J. Cooper, 4 to 4£gns. W. C. Dorset, 7 to 8 guineas. G. H. Shute, 21 to 3gns. W. H. Baick, 4 to 6|gns. Southdowns —F. A. Price, of Takapau, 4gns to sgns. A. J. Stone-Wtgg, Rangstumau, 6Jgns to 7Jgns. W. L. Rayner, 3gns, and A. J. Cooper, 1| to 2gns.