Stock sales (1869)

Post date: Mar 18, 2013 5:47:29 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph of 15 May 1869.

MESSRS LENEY'S SHORT-HORN SALE AT WATERINGBURY.

Considerable interest been excited in during the last few weeks by the announcement that Messrs F. Leney and Son intended to sell at the hammer a selection of heifers and young bulls from their famous herd, and speculation has been rife as to the amount the sale would realise. The Messrs Leney have for some time occupied a position among breeders and exhibitors, and their herd is one of the finest and best bred the south England. This is the first time Messrs Leney have sold. The cause which induced Leney to sell was that the herd had out grown the farm, and it became necessary either to provide additional accommodation or sell off a portion of their stock. They decided to sell the chief portion of the heifers and the young bulls bred within twenty months. The prominent feature in the herd is the Kirklevington and Fawsley blood..........

The sale took place on Thursday at Orpines, Wateringbury, when about 300 gentlemen assembled from all parts of the country. Among those present were Mr. Bowly (Cirencester) Mr. Garne (Chipping Norton). Mr. Stonham (Crayford), Mr. J. Clayden (Essex), Mr. G. D. Badham (Bulmer), Major Stapylton (Yorkshire), Mr Tate (her Majesty's farm steward). A. Downing (Worcester), Mr Drury (Duke of Devonshire's steward), Mr. J. Noakes, Mr. Charles Howard (Widdenham, Beds.), Mr. Atherton (Speke, Liverpool), Mr Larking (agent for Pacha of Egypt), Mr G. Moore (Colonial exporter), Mr. R. Russell (Wrotham), Mr. Waterman, Capt. Brenchley, Mr. J. Gibson (New York) and a very large company of gentlemen and farmers from the surrounding district.

A first-class luncheon was provided by Mr King, of Maidstone, in a marquee which was erected in a meadow adjoining the house. About 250 gentlemen partook of Messrs Leney's hospitality. Lord Dunmore took the chair. The usual toasts were given, that of Messrs Leney being most enthusiastically drunk, and suitably acknowledged. The sale was announced to begin at two o'clock, and precisely at that time Mr Strafford began to sell. A covered platform had been raised in the meadow, in front of which was a semi circular enclosure, surrounded by farm wagons, provided with seats. These were filled with spectators, who were thus enabled to get a satisfactory view of the lots as they were brought forward.

Twenty three heifers were offered for sale. The bidding, except in a few instances, was not particularly brisk. The highest price fetched for a heifer was 235gs., given Mr. Moor, for Countess by Knightley. The next best price was 200gs., fetched by Twin Duchess by Knightley, the buyer being Foster, of Kilhow, Cumberland, who also bought Duchess by Grand Duke for 175gs., and Princess Royal by Lord Oxford for 82gs., and Lady Oxford by Lord Oxford fell to Mr Gibson, a gentleman from New York, for 100gs. Mr Moore, the purchaser of Countess, purchased Rarity 3rd by Costa for 82gs. Major Stapylton of Yorkshire gave 61gs. and 45gs. respectively for Kent Butterfly and Blanche. Mr Tate secured the first lot, Garland, for her Majesty, for 39gs.. and Fawsley 8th for 32gs. Mr Larking bought three animals, Beauty, Flora, and Purity, for which he gave 35, 38. and 51gs, respectively, for the Pacha of Egypt. Two Thorndales were knocked down to Mr Attenborough for 4lgs. and May Duchess fetched 47gs., the buyer being Mr Arkell, Sussex. Jenny 14th, Jenny 15th, and Oxford Jenny found a purchaser in Mr Richard Russell, at the sums of 38gs., and 34gs. The lowest price fetched by heifer was 27gs. The total amount fetched by 23 heifers was £1,300 odd, being an average of between £60 and £70 per lot.

The same number of bulls as heifers were put up. At some portions this part of the sale the bidding was extremely fiat, and the general opinion seemed to be that several good well descended bulls went at less than half their real value. In several instances no bid could be obtained till Mr .Strafford had threatened to pass the lot on, and lots 14 (Duke of Sussex), 15(Rob Roy), and 16 (Thorndale) were passed without an offer. The great triumph of the tale, however, took place in this class, in the sale of the Grand Duke of Kent, a splendid little animal, for 50Ogs. Mr Leney had put that amount as a reserve. Moore, acting on the advice of Mr Foster, offered 500gs. and the offer met with no competition. 'Ihe next highest price was 66gs. for the Duke of Kent, by Lord Oxford, the buyer being Mr White. Waterman gave 45gs. for Little John; Knightley Butterfly was bought for 47gs. by Mr Tomkins.; Lythall secured Oxford Lad for 45gs., and The Cardinal for 41gs. Several lots; went at prices that were almost nominal. Mr. Arkell bought three animals for 12, 14 and 15gs, respectively. A pure-bred Bates bull was knocked down to Mr Russell for 23gs. The amount fetched by 19 bulls (being exclusive of the Grand Duke of Kent) was 630gs., being but 130 gs. more than was fetched by single animal.

As a whole the sale, however, was satisfactory, although doubtless the amount realised fell considerably below that which was anticipated by Messrs Leney and their friends. When it is remembered that the sale was principally one of calves, and a novelty in the south of England, the average of the whole (between £50 and £60) is exceedingly good.

Advert in Maidstone Telegraph 16 October 1869

WATERINGBURY, KENT. SURPLUS STOCK SALE. Mr. R. WATERMAN IS instructed by Messrs. Henry White, A. W. Fremlin, and others, to SELL by AUCTION, at Manor Farm, Wateringbury, on Wednesday, October 13th, 1869, at one for two o'clock, 500 SHEEP and LAMBS, a few FATTING BEASTS, and an excellent CARRIAGE HORSE, 7 Years old.