RAETIHI EWE FAIR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 37, 14 February 1939, Page 8

RAETIHI EWE FAIR

; OFFERING OF 32,000 POP! LAR WAIMARINO CENTRE DEMAND FROM WAIKATO The huge total of 32,000 ewes will be offered at the Raetihi ewe fair, to be conducted by the Wanganui firm of stock auctioneers, Messrs. Freeman R. Jackson and Co.. Ltd., on Thursday. This is the highest total ever offered at Raetihi in the history of the Waimarino centre, which extends back to nearly two-score years. It was about 37 years ago when Messrs. Freeman R. Jackson and Co. held their first, stock sale in the district and at that time it was estimated that approximately 5000 sheep were grazed in the Waimarino county, excepting the Karioi district. Evidence of the growth of the district is provided by the fact that 32,000 head will change hands at the annual ewe fair, and these ewes will attract purchasers from over a wide area, embracing Wanganui, Rangitikei, Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, South Auckland, Bay ot Plenty and the Waikato. In the early days of the present century the auctioneers made the journey by river to Pipiriki and thence by coach to Raetihi. Later lhe Main Trunk railway tilled a longfelt want, but nowadays it is not difficult to make the trip by motorcar from Wanganui to Raetihi in a little over two hours. “Without the assistance and active co-operation of the Railway Department we would not be able to handle such large numbers of sheep,” remarked one of the auctioneers to the "Chronicle” yesterday. To dispatch upwards of 30,000 sheep to their various destinations hundreds of trucks arc required at Raetihi, but the firm handling the sale state that they invariably find the Railway Department capable of providing all their requirements in that direction.