FARMERS' CO-OPERATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1916, Page 2

FARMERS' CO-OPERATION.

N.l-W SALE YARDS AT JNGLEWOOD, A SiaESSFW. OPENING.

The Farmers' Co-operative Organisation Society, Ltd.. since it was formed some two years ago lias been making steady progress in Taranaki. Now it is holding regular 9tock sales at Boveu centres, and yesterday the number was increased by the opening'of the modern, well-equipped saleyards at Inglewood. Hiese yard* am situated on the Junction Road, just adjoining the borough, 011 a property of 27 acres. They are commodious and contain every possible convenience for both stock and drovers. They comprise both cattle and sheep pens and cover an area of 300 ft by 250 ft. There is a metalled road to the main entrance, which leads to four drafting'pens, 50ft by !">oft each. From these there are races, fitted with drafting gates, enabling the animals.to I,be penned with the mthimum of inconvenience. Altogether there are 85 cattle pens ranging in size from 18ft x 18ft IS x 0, and 0 x fl, the latter being for dairy animals or for small farmers' lots, which can thus at ordinary sale times be kept separate. The frontage of the yards is level with the main road and in a convenient position there has been built a . concrete shed, JO x 20, with 13ft stud, for the sale of dairy cattle. The shed, is fitted with seating accommodation, and with an auctioneer's rostrum. The yards are substantially built, the posts, being of reinforced concrete moulded in.position. All the rails and gates are of jarrah, whilst broad cap pieces have been provided fully two feet wide for the convenience of clients during the progress of the sales. The floors of all the pens are concrete and provision has been made for cleanliness by the installation of a flush drain in each pen, a copious supply of water being laid on from the Borough supply, which will also be utilised to maintain a supply of drinking water for the cattle in concrete troughs. The sheep pens are also up-to-date. It would be difficult to find more modern yards.

For the opening, sale yesterday, there was a very large yarding of cattle and sheep, and there was a la.rge and representative attendance. Mr. A. Hunter (chairman) and the majority of the directors were present. Prior to the opening of the sale, the visitors were entertained to a light repast of sandwiches and tea, which was thoroughly appreciated. Before the auctioneer mounted the rostrum, the chairman made a short speech. The occasion, Mr. Hunter said, was one that marked another step in the progress of. the Farmers' Co-operative Society and would be an event in the history of Inglewood. Personally, he ha<l always had' a feeling of warmth towards Inglewood from his associations as a member of tho Hawera Mounted Rifles with the Inglewood company. He well remembered the occasion when Lieut. Oil vies was appointed captain, and with Inglewood, he was proud of General Davies' career on the field of battle to-day. The stability of the yards, he said, conveyed the idea that they were a permanent institution. Another feature was that, 'they were their own yards and were a credit to them, and it now rested with themselves to make the business done through the yards a credit also. Some of the shareholders probably thought that the opening of the yards had been too long delayed. He could assure them that this was no fault of the Inglewood directors, who had worked hard in that direction, and had perfect confidence in the settlers of the district making the business what xc should be. He reminded them that it required considerable capital, not only to buy the property and equip the yards, but also to finance sales, especially with the high prices ruling for stock. The settlers o(> the district had been very enthusiastic in connection with the Society, and he trusted they would make a special effort ti. increase the share capital sufficient to carry the district's load. It seemed to be a weakness of human nature to ride in on the other fellow's back. ' In connection with the produce department, he said that he hoped to give- good, service, which would increase as the funds of the Society were built up. Rome, however, was not built in a day. The federation of ten co-operative societies of New Zealand, which would be an accomplished fact in the next six months, would place them on a. very good footing with regard to buying, tn conclusion, he asked them if they had siny complaint to make to go direct to the agent (Mr. Kidd), or to the manager at Hawera, and not to indulge in street corner talk. He also expressed the hope that they would work on friendly terms with the opposition, a3 they had done elsewhere. The sale then commenced, and was continued until dusk, keeping the two auctioneers (Messrs. J. Hobbs and Geo. Hobbs), very busy. Practically all tlie large yarding was knocked down at very satisfactory prices. The first line submitted was a line of hoggets, which realised 20s 7d.