MESSRS McNICOL AND CO.'S SHEEP FAIR.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 241, 29 January 1898, Page 2

MESSRS McNICOL AND CO.'S SHEEP FAIR.

On Wednesday next, February 2nd, the first sheep fair of the season starts, when Messrs McNicol and Co.'s hold their annual Ohaupo fixture. There is little business done with store sheep in Waikato from shearing time till Februaiy, and buyers coming from all parts of the province to the approaching ea'c, the price is practically fixed for the next few months. For the last few seasons cattle graz'ers have not had a very rO3V time ; the low prices ruling for fat bulkcks,' coming on top of a drought, which docs not tcud to fatten, readily makes a profit rather an uncertainty ; under these circumstances, and knowing a dry season sui's the flock master, we fully expect to see a large number of settlers who hitherto have held to cattle now go in for sheep, from which an owner can at least expect a clear profit of the season's clip. Again, a large area of country taken up a few years ago is now capable of carrying sheep, so that there should be, and we fully expect, a really good sale for all classes of sound sheep. Hizh prices cannot be expee'ed nor are they uWral, hut with the requirements fair and payable p ices will be realised. The c aa'ogue of Messrs McNicol and Co.'s apprt aching sale is now in enr hands. The 20,009 adveitised are from the principal breeders throughout the district, and comprise 4500 hcilthy lambs, 4000 two and four-tooth wethers. 2500 two and four tooth maiden ewes, 8000 crossbred and longwool ewes fourtooth to fresh full-mouth, and 1300 fat en-es and wethers. On the second day, Thursday, 3rd February, the sale will be coutinued at 9 n.m. with 400 purebred Liuzo'n, Rotnncy Mirsh, English and Border Leicester and Shropshire ram 3 from the best breeders in the district, and for these thecp a good demand is a°sured.