The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-08-26 00:00:00

ANNUAL SALE OF SHROPSHIRE RAMS

AND EWES AT HAULM.

On Monday last the annual sale of rams and ewes took
place at the Lythelton Arms Inn, Bagley. Mr. B. Wool-
dridge of the firm of Oates, Perreus, and Wooldridge),
has the auctioneer. Hagley has now become famous tor
the sales of Fat Stuck, whisk take piace from time to
time. It is in the centre of a large agricultural district,
and there is accommodation to pen twelve hundred
sheep, and to tie up one hundred head of cattle, and it
is one of the best places in the Midland Counties to hold
sales. Previous to the sale, nearly two hundred sat
down to an excellent lunch provided in a large room by
Mr. Holland, the host. It was expected that Lord Lyt-
when would have occupied the chair, but he was 1111■44e
from previous engagements. In the absence of his
Lordship the chair was taken by Robert Cocks, Eeq.
(Steward to the Earl of Stamford and Warrington), sup-
ported on his right by %V. Webb, Esq., and on the left
by W. C. Firmstone, Esq. The vice-chair was occupied
by B. Brooks, Esq., supported on the right by E. Webb,
Esq., and on the left by W. Lett, Esq. There were mso
present Messrs. F. Blakeway, J. Lett, Captain Maiaby. T.
stark. H. H. Brown, T. White, T. Lester. P. Nunn, N.
Fellows, R. Wood, T. Yerrens, llinett, E. Maud,
Elcock, A. Wooldridge, Aston, Weston, Heap, Mills,
Captain Simpion, Darby, Roe, Pits, Parry, Nicholls,
Hollington, L. King, Its., dre.
At the conclusion of the repast, the Chairman rose anti
proposed the health of Her Majesty the Queen, which
was heartily drunk.
He next gave the " Prince and Princess of %%id.. ajj,,
the rest of the Royal Family ;*. which has similarly
received.
' " •

The Chairman next proposed the health of Laid Ly t-
telton, the Lord-Lieutenant of the County, and said he
felt great pleasure in giving the tout because his lordship
was a man of high principle, and was well rrspected
throughout the eennt).—(eheire).
The toast was enthusiastically received.
Mr. W .C. Firmstone responded nu behalf of Ills lord.
ship, and said that the character of the noble lord was
to well known to heed any remarks from bun, for it
would fill volume. He bad interest in everything for the
improvement of the district. Had lie nit been other-
wise engaged he would hare been preunt, baton another
occasion he lltr. Firunitune) would take care to give him
plenty of notice so that lie would be able to set aside •
day for that purpose, so as not to interfere with his pri-
vate business. He could assure them that his lorrlsbip
in every respect deserved the compliment—(applause).
Mr. S. Brooks then rose and said he had not expected
to be placed in the position of vice-cbairmau that day.
They were very much indebted to Mr. Firmstoue, Mr.
Harward, and Messrs. Webb and Sons for the very liberal
entertainment, and also for bringing together so very fine
a lot of sheep for competition—(cheers). In running
through the catalogue he noticed that the sheep of Mr.
Firmstone were bred from the celebrated stocks of Crane
and Beach. The latter late gentleman was a persons!
friend of his, and he was very pleased to find that but
widow, Mrs. Beach, was carrying on the sheep breeding
so successfully. He also noticed the name of Evans
amongst Mr. Firinstone's stock. In Mr. Harwarda lot
there were some sheep bred from the celebrated " Came-
; tacos," and also some from Crane's, to which he wu par.
' ticulariy partial, as they stood very high. Be also com•
plinituted the Messrs. Webb, of limrer Hill-1100,1
cheers)—upon the tine animal') that were for sale. 11,.,
found that they had two rains bred from the son of
"Mainstay,- the father of which animal was bred by Mr.
Masten. There were also some bred from the son of the
" Pride of Weqon,- and he would remind them that that
animal was hired by Mr. Webb for forty days at 45
guineas. Mr. Harvard, Mr. Firm Atone, and Mr. Webb
had spared no expense to get the best blood into their
stocks, and there was a great deal of merit due to those
gentlemen for the interest and care they had taken in
the breeding of sheep. He was very pleased with the
condition of the animals, and particnlarly with the rams.
Ile was only a small termer himself, but he had been
very much connected with (tamers, as he prided himself
on being a sportsman, and he had received great kind-
ness from farmers of the district. Mr. Wooldridge must
excuse him in Raying that he could not himself form a
good opinion of the bread. Had the animals been horses

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