SALEYARDS AT McNAB.

Southland Times, Issue 19502, 17 March 1925, Page 4

SALEYARDS AT McNAB.

VENTURE NEARS COMPLETION. FIRST SALE THIS MONTH. For the last three and a-half years the local farming community and the stock world generally have been concerned in respect to a proposal to build saleyards at McNab, and the subject has periodically given rise to lively discussion. The proposal was mooted in the first place as the result of the local Borough Council announcing its intention to close down the Corporation yards at Gore. Members of the farming community then combined to form the McNab Saleyards Company, Ltd., but the action of the Gore Borough Council in later deciding to retain the yards at Gore and to continue the fortnightly sales was regarded in opposition circles as constituting a breach of faith with the farming community, and the project received a temporary setback. A forceful argument in favour of closing down the yards was that the saleyards in the middle of a town, and in a locality that is destined to carry an expanding population, was in direct conflict with those conditions desirable for proper hygiene and sanitation of the town, but with an eye on the revenue the yards netted, the Council adhered to its decision to carry on and the McNab Saleyards Company was told it could do the same. It did, and the last two or three months has witnessed the erection of yards at the juncture of the main and Waikaka branch lines. As yet the yards are incomplete, but they are in such an order that the sheep, pens will be available for the opening sale, which the Company has decided to hold on March 31 next.

The yards are constructed of jarrah, and the main portion of the pens and races are floored with concrete. Accommodation in the meantime is provided for 5000 sheep, but ample provision has been made for the extension of the yards to accommodate double that,. number. The cattle pens have not yet been commenced, but immediately the sheep quarters are completed operations will begin on tha cattle pens. Temporary provision, however, is being made for the accommodation of from 250 to 300 head of cattle. The Company owns 12 acres of land at the site, and there is ample room for the accommodation of stock both before and after the sales, when the Company's drafting yards will be at the disposal of owners who have quantities of stock to draft.

The site is ideal for the purpose for which it is being utilised. There is a favourable fall for drainage, and the supply of water for cleaning purposes is abundantly adequate. Then another big factor in favour of the site is the fact that the yards are within half a mile of and have easy access to the McNab railway siding, and this should prove an advantageous point to vendors who rail their stock. Possibly, also, it might have the effect of inducing vendors from further afield to rail in their stock to the McNab market. It is the Company’s present intention eventually to arrange for a railway siding into the yards direct.

Much interest will centre on the initial sale on March 31.