WELLINGTON SHOW.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3801, 4 May 1891, Page 2

WELLINGTON SHOW.

THE FAT STOCK COMPETITION, THE REPORT. [TO THE EUITOR N.U. TIMES.]

Sir, —1 am now in receipt of advice from our London office in reference to tho prize sheep exhibited at the last Wellington Show and subsequently frozen and shipped to London per s,s. Matatua, with instructions to obtain a special report from experts more directly interested in the retail trade. The report we have received is as follows : " 79, Central Meat Market, '« London, February 27, 1891. "H. M.Paul, Esq., " New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ld. " Dear Sir, —We herewith beg to enclose report on prize sheep ex Matatua from the Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association— I A, 10 sheep ; B, 10 sheep ; C, 10 sheep. As prize sheep for Agricultural Shows, we consider these sheep as near perfection as possible, A and B being pure Sussex Down sheep, and C being cross of Hmnpshire Downs and Leicester sheep, and these sheep are certainly the best bred mutton that we have ever seen from the Colonies. The decision as 10 which of these parcels is the best would rest entirely with the judges, as different men have diifereut opinions as to the various breeds of sheep, but we ourselves should give the preference to the pure South Downs. As sheep suitable for the London market all these parcels consist of sheep too heavy and too fat for the ordinary purchaser, hut if as well bred sheep can he produced, not fattened for show purposes, weighing from 60lbs to OSlbs per carcase, it is our opinion such mutton would realize on the London market prices equal to best Canterbury mutton of the same weight, but it is necessary to impress upon growers the importance of keeping breed as pure as the prize sheep and within, the above

mentioned weights. Regarding the I three parcels from this standpoint, it is our opinion, as well as that cf the majority of meat salesmen, butchers and consumers, whose opinion we I obtained of these sheep, that sheep of the class of A's and B's atweights before mentioned are rather more saitable than the C's to the requirements of this 'market. VVe may add that before making this report these parcels were brougnt under the notice of some of the best breeders of sheep and judges of mutton that we have in this country. . " Yours respectively, "(Signed) Blofeld & Lisenden." The three lots were shipped on account of the following gentlemen : —Mark A. S. Garford; mark 13. S. Garforth; mark C.J. R. Lysaght, the latter being tho sheep which secured my Company's special prize, 15 guinea cup, for pen of 10 sheep most suitable for freezing. —Yours, &c,

W. G. Foster, Manager, New Zealaud Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (.Limited).