Mr. George Jamieson Sproat, Stock-classer at the Belfast Freezing Works, for the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, is a native of the parish of Balmaghie, Kirkcud-brightshire, Scotland, and was brought up with Mr. S. R. Crockett, the novelist. He followed pastoral pursuits in his native land. In 1891 he arrived in New Zealand, and started colonial life under Mr. M. Stitt, of Winchmore, in the Ashburton district. He was with Mr. Stitt for three years and was afterwards in the service of Mr. John Grigg, of Longbeach, for five years. After that he received the appointment of head sheep-classer and stock-grader for the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company. Mr. Sproat has acted as a judge of sheep at many of the agricultural and pastoral shows throughout the province of Canterbury.