The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-07 00:00:00

BALLINASLOE OCTOBER PAIR.

The business of the fair week commenced on
Honda morning with the show of sheep in Garbslly-park.
Th anticipations were high as to this being equal
every respect to fairs of former rears there was a decided
falling off in numbers, and also, strange as it may appear,
• ousidiwable decrease in priers. The numbers hat year
were 46,620, being a reduction, when compared with the
previlus year, of nearly one-ball. The day was what is
known as • " hanging far," that is to say, although the
park ma Mad with sheep from a very early hour,
little business was transacted until nine or ten
o'alock. Flock masters were very stiff ; they wanted
high prices, and unless they got them would not sell.
The fear of disease, which it was supposed bad almost dis-
appeared, acted prejudicially on the fair, inasmuch as the
Limiter buyer!, knowing Low much the recent wetness of
the weather might have induced foot-rot, and remembering
to what extent they suffered from this epidemic last year,
were indisposed to deal. Buyers, therefore were not at all
uneasy, knowing that they would ultimitely have the
matter pretty much their own way. They were to some ex-
tent right, for the sellers gave in to a reduction on last
year's prior, and hardness then commenced pretty briskly.
The dusted was almost exclusively for good sheep, ant 2
lots were is some request. Forward smitten in good o
Bon were bought eagerly, and strong ewes west off rapidly.
Poor or middling sheep were not in request, and few, if
any, teafteetions took plus in this class. The prior asked
early in the morning were in advance of last year. In some
as. 61• was asked for top lots, and last year this price was
obtained la but one Butanes. This money was is no clue
=this average soles of top lots beiog at 62a., and In me
curly was 63a. malted. Wethers might be quoted
at frees 38s. to 425., and ewes at from 355. to 40n. A great
emu animals changed hands before own, and altogether
39.328 were sold in the course of the day. It was very diffi-
cult to ascertain truly the prices given, buyers, particularly
jobbers, being apt, when asked to state the price they gave,
to name a couple of shillings higher than the truth, with a
view to getting more profit when they came to sell. As the
morning advanced prices want down, and at 12 o'clock
money which was refused four home previously would
gladly have been accepted. It was reasonably supposed
that in consequence of the late rains the park wml,l be
very wet and uncomfortable, but fortunately for the sheep
this was not the - .

fhehoneliar promised to be good, if one might judge
from the number and quality of the animal which
crowded the streets. A large number of veterinary
surgeons had arrived from Dublin and elsewhere, and
some business took place. In connexion with the Nile
of stock, Sm., at French-park, the seat of Lord De
Warm it may be of intermit to mention that the celebrated
horse O'Coneell wu sold at the /age figure of 3901.
The Lord-Lieutenant visited the Customs Gap, accom-
panied by the Earl and Countess of Clsecarty, lady Anne
and lady Sarah Ls Paw Trench, the Mims Lamellas, and
Captain Evererd. His Excellency bad a good opportunity
of seeing the working of this greet fair, both at the Gap
and through the wk.—Delius Express.