Summary

Wooden notice, hung in the bullock section of the Newmarket Saleyards.

The daily order of sale of sheep, lambs, bullocks, calves, cows, store sheep and cattle by Stock Agents at Newmarket was decided by a draw. The draw was made in the office of the Newmarket Stock and Station Agents of Melbourne at the City Council's administration block on the Monday before the week's sale. The draw was made from a cylindrical wooden barrel, holding up to forty-three marble-sized pine balls which were placed inside. The numbered balls were drawn separately, each number denoting an agent's order of sale. Bullocks were always recognised as being "class cattle".

The number of stock and station agents that operated at Newmarket varied widely from year to year. Over the years small personalised stock and station agencies bowed to pressure from larger firms and were taken over. From the original seventeen agents operating when Newmarket saleyards officially opened in 1861, there grew to be thirty-nine operating agents in November 1914. By the time the Newmarket closure was announced in 1985 only twelve companies represented the surviving associated stock and station agents of Melbourne.

Physical Description

Wooden notice, from 2 main pieces of wood held together at the back with two pieces of masonite. On either side remnants of a frame are painted white. Background of notice painted black. Chalk marks are faintly visible beneath this line.

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