Volume 71: Macarthur family papers relating to wool and sheep, 1820-1936: No. 295
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[Page 295]
[In pencil] Wool Papers
EXTRACT FROM AN ADDRESS BY DR. N. W. KATER TO THE ROTARY CLUB. [Typed]
Edward IV introduced some 3,000 merinos into England, and later George III imported a small flock of highly bred Spanish Negrettis. In the year 1804 45 sheep from this flock were sold by auction - of these Captain John Macarthur bought 8 to be placed on his farm in New South Wales. The prices varied from £6-7-0 to £44-2-0 each. To Captain John Macarthur belongs the distinction of being the founder of the sheep industry in Australia. It was he who first recognised that this country was eminently suited to sheep breeding. As a breeder he had a strong rival in the Rev. Samuel Marsden, and as the latter's flocks were moved by his nephews, the Betts, to Molong, to him should probably be given the credit of discovering that the merinos thrived better in the drier inland districts than the coast.
In addition to the sheep purchased from the King by Macarthur, a small number of Spanish merinos were shipped from the Cape of Good Hope in the year 1796 by two sea captains named Waterhouse and Kent. These sheep came from a flock which had been previously presented by the King of Spain to the Dutch Government. They each left the Cape with 13 sheep -
[in pencil]
Sent me by Sir N. K. in 1936
The Macarthurs [indecipherable] have been friend of as when they utilised hessian needed after the war
S.17.b 26-11-31