- Since writing the above, matters have somewhat
changed. Firstly, Ewes are fully worth 30s. a head, and are not to be
had under. Secondly, The diggings in Otago have caused the value of
wethers to rise, and as they are now selling at 33s. on the runs of the
Otago station (I quote the Lyttelton Times, which may be depended upon),
and those runs are only very partially stocked, the supply there must in
all probability fall short of the demand. The price of sheep in this
settlement is therefore raised also, and likely to continue high. All
depends upon what this next spring may bring forth upon the Otago gold-
fields. If they keep up the reputation which they sustained until the
winter caused the diggers to retreat, the price will be high for some
few years longer; if they turn out a failure, it MUST fall before very
long. Still, there is a large and increasing population in Canterbury,
and as its sheep-feeding area is as nothing compared with that of
Australia, we do not expect sheep here ever to fall as low as they did
there before the diggings. Indeed, they hardly can do so; for our sheep
are larger than the Australian, and clip a much heavier fleece, so that
their fleece, and skins, and tallow must be of greater value. Should
means be found of converting the meat into portable soup, the carcase of
the sheep ought, even at its lowest value, to be considerably higher
than 10s. Nothing is heard about this yet, for the country is not
nearly stocked, so that the thing is not needed; but one would, a
priori, be under the impression that there should ultimately be no
insuperable difficulty in rescuing the meat from waste. It is a matter
which might well attract the attention of scientific men in England. We
should all be exceedingly obliged to them if they would kindly cause
sheep to be as high as 15s. or 17s. seven years hence, and I can see no
reason why, if the meat could be made use of, they should fall lower.
In other respects, what I have written about sheep on terms is true to
the present day.
{4} The above is true to the present day (August, 1862), save that a
higher price must be given for the goodwill of a run, and that sheep are
fully 30s. a head. Say 8000 pounds instead of 6000 pounds, and the rest
will stand. 8000 pounds should do the thing handsomely.
End of A First Year in Canterbury Settlement by Samuel Butler
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