Kiwi sheep on OE

An interesting and unique shipment which reached Britain’s shores last week was the consignment of six Corriedales (two shearling rams and four ewe hoggets) from Wellington, New Zealand. This is the first occasion on which live sheep have been exported to England from the Dominion. Upon arrival country the animals were immediately placed in quarantine, and after the usual 28 days’ detention, they will be on view in the New Zealand section of the Wembley Exhibition. The Corriedale has gained immense popularity in New Zealand, and its sterling qualities are rapidly making it a force to be reckoned with in the sheep-breeding industry of the immediate future, not only in New Zealand, the country of its origin, but throughout the world. At the conclusion of the Wembley Exhibition the animals are to be disposed of in England, thus affording a unique opportunity for anyone interested in the great question of wool improvement, which has been so much to the fore during the last few years. The introduction into England of those breeds of sheep which have proved of inestimable value to the colonies, has been impossible hitherto owing to the embargo on importations. Recent legislation, however, has gone a very long way towards the removal of these restrictions, and it is now practically certain that the importation of purebred stock from the colonies will be very shortly an assured fact of which our Home breeders will not hesitate to avail themselves.

Taxi collides with flock

Driving to his home at North-East Valley shortly after 4 o’clock yesterday morning a Dunedin taxi-cab driver, Leonard La Mont, ran into a flock of sheep, and as a result 20 were killed outright and four had to he destroyed. There were 301 sheep in the flock. They were halfbred ewes in lamb, and belonged to Mr A.W. Douglas, of Waikouaiti. The sheep were being driven by Mr Adam McDonald to Burnside. Mr McDonald stayed at the Normanby Hotel on Wednesday night, and started off again with his flock at 4 o’clock yesterday morning. 

When near Mr E.S. Wright’s painter’s shop Mr La Mont’s heavy taxi-cab crashed into the flock, and became jammed in the struggling mass. Mr La Mont says he did not see the flock till he was right into it. The taxi escaped with practically no damage. The sheep were carried to a vacant section, and those not killed were destroyed.

Giving way on Portobello Rd

Prior to the ordinary meeting of the Portobello Road Board yesterday a special meeting was held for the purpose of passing a by-law regulating the speed of motor traffic on the Beach road, fixing stands for licensed vehicles, and determining a scale of fees. Mr Gibson moved an addition to the by-law drafted by the solicitors as follows: "That cars proceeding to town should pull into the bank and allow outward-bound cars to pass, thus minimising the risk of accident." This was agreed to.

No sign of aviators

Twenty hours have elapsed without word from Commander Rodgers and his four companions on the PN9-1.  A systematic search continues in the hope that the aircraft alighted on the sea safely, but if an accident occurred the craft was heavy enough to sink, though the fliers were equipped with lifebelts. — ODT, 4.9.1925

Compiled by Peter Dowden