The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1860-07-24 00:00:00

IMPORTANT FLOCK SALE AT MITCHELDEVER.
On Tuesday last this quiet little village was the scene
of unusual bustle and excitement. From an early hour
till put mid-day the roads in every direction were en-
livened by constantly passing carriages, all verging upon
one centre, shooing that sonwthing more than common
was about to take place. Tile uccuion was the Bale by
111011011 of the well-known Hampshire Down Flock, of
the lase Henry Pain, Esq., of the Manor Farm, which
drew together an i 11111 l ense number of persona. The
weather was everything that could be desired, and on
our arrival we found the sale ground was studded by
groups of gentlemen, eagerly examining and discussing
the quality of the sheep which were then being penned
(Cr sale. 'rho number of tiersons on the ground was
constantly augmented by fresh comers, au that by noon
there were several hundrels present, all apparently bent
on busineir., and many of them hiring c 1111 l (coin far
distant comities. Au adjoining barn had here fitted up
and tutefully decorated, cud rim it was lain a must pro-
fuse and elegant luncheon, composed of the choicest
viands, iuterspersol with dowers arranged in ...charming
manner by the Misses Pain.
The wines and liquon., of which there wee a plentiful
supply, were most excellent, and appeared to give great
zest to the repast which was partaken of by the large
company asseinl.led.
The duties of chairman were ably fulfilled by George
Brown, Esq., of Avebury, Wilts ; and F. Bailey, C. 8,
Cundell, and W. Taylor, Bit's., officiated as vice-
chairmen. When full justice lied been done to the
many gotsl things provided, the usual loyal and patriotic
toasts were disposed of, and were followed by the health*
of Mn,. Pain and family, Henry Pin, Esq., Henry
Atkins, Kai., the eilairman, vice-chairmen, the cue.
limiter, and other gentlemen present, all of which were
most heartily re-plaided to, and drew forth some excel-
lent speeches. About half-past two the company
adjourned to the sale ground, and after a few lucid and
appropriate remarks from the auctioneer, Mr. Frederick
Ellen. of Andover, the real huskiese of the day conp
meisced with the two-tooth ones. A very abort time
sufficed to show that lout few present were mere lookers
Ult. The bidding,, were at once quick and liberal, and
the result was of course satisfactory. Two-tooth ewes
reached 705., four-tooths nix-tooths 905., full-
mouthed ewes Wis., and ewe lambs 70s. per head, the
whole making an unusually high average.
The raui lambs appeared to be in great demand, one
sifittern
itdi.icinigtidibo7-10riii:ii.ega;urriiiii:ictfaitirstu.. A 1111 l the iir i 'lei pal buyers
)t,lAreitikk,...a: ofr it
11Nreoli cirf:osAlt
(Norfolk),
tr):,
Brown. Conk, Courtenay, Cundell, Cuckeram,
Foot, Frampton. Oalpin, hillier Hannuond, Lyne,
Margetioin, Moore, ,MarlD, Acoton, no-Lat.:ern, ram.
Pile, Parker, Bead, Beaks, Smith, Sillence, Stubbs,
Siiiilrkin4, Tice, White, Young, Lc. Many noblemen
mad gentlemen not present were represented by their

--- -
The Earl of Uxbridge bought the higheat priced ewes,
Mr. John Neste, of Isortlmington, being his competitor,
Mr. Brown, of Ilicott, time nest, and Messrs. Parker,
Allen, Moore, Msrro,:trion, Conti. Bennett, and Bland
all purchased at prices not leis than 60s. per head. For
ewe lambs the highest bidder was the Earl of Leicester,
and Mr. Collis bought the neat laigh.t lot. Mr.
Martin, of Shapwicke, Dorset, purchased the highest
priced ram lambs, his principal competitor was Mr. John
Moore, of Littlecot.

•
The great interest manifested by all present in the
day's proceedings. and the very high prices obtained,
show the great estimation in which the Miclieldever
dock was held, and we feel certain that thisie noblemen
and gentlemen who were fortunate enough to become
buyers will be quite satisfied with their purchases.
The sale was in all respects perhaps the most important
and successful that ever took place in the county.
Nothing could have passed more satisfactorily, and we
cannot conclude our entice without remarking that all
present appeared to be of opinion that the pergine who
had the management of lotticg and preparing the stock,
as well as all those to wl were entruste,l the arrange-
ments immediately connected with the tale were
entitled to the greatest credit, and the whole affair
must have been most gratifying both to the auctioneer
and his employers.