BALCLUTHA SALEYARDS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXVII, Issue 1547, 7 May 1901, Page 3

BALCLUTHA SALEYARDS.

TO THI-: imtTOll. 1 Sir.,—l was pleased to see Mr J. W. Mitchell's letter in your last issue questioning the estimated revenue from the proposed municipal saleyavd-s. It is well the question should be ventilate:! before the poll is taken. I, however, differ from Mr .Mitchell as to the basis 011 which to found an estimate. Mr Mitchell would never nmlerta.ke to give m A a good fit on the measurements of John Smith, of Gore. I have visited the various agents, who very courteously gave me the information I required as to the total quantity of stock sold by them at auction in Balcluiha. I took the year ending March 41st. 1901, and, cot the following results apgroximatclv : Sbsfp sob! 42,000, cattle" 3600, 'pigs 400, horses 100. At schedule rates th o income would he sheep LB7 I.os, cattle L4o, pigs Lo, and horses L 5; total, L 142 10s. This leaves out of consideration all stock passed in, on which half rates are charged and also all income from yarding and accommodation. From these latter sources the return 011 a low estimate should be L2O. The total income would then be Ll<s2 10-;. The expenditure I would estimate at LlO per annum caretaker, and L 22 10s per annum repairs. This would leave the borough an income of LIOO or interest nt the rate, of 10 per cent on the proposed loan. Itegavding Mr Mitchell's objection to the Crown site as being too small, I might say that if the available space there/,vare filled every s-le day, the income would reach about LloOO. Lit every good citizen hope for the time when two and a half acres shall prove too small io hold the stock sold every fortnight. I doubt that time is not very near. I

have to thank the agents for the opportunities they gave me to place the position before the ratepayers, and to thank you, Sir, in anticipation for permitting the matter to be made public through your columns.—l am, etc., li. 11. Giuuoit.