DOUGLAS AS STOCK CENTRE

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1932, Page 8

DOUGLAS AS STOCK CENTRE

HOPE FOR THE RAILWAY. OPENING OF NEW PAVILION. “When the Stratford-Main Trunk line is opened for traffic dairy cattle, store cattle and sheep from the King Country and the Ohura will figure prominently at the Douglas saleyards; this is not mere conjecture; I know of what I am talking, for I have attended all the sales in the Ohura and have investigated the position closely.” In these words Mr. Austin Yarndley, manager of the Stratford branch of Newton King, Ltd., forecast one avenue of a big development in stock business, contingent upon the opening of rail communication between Taranaki and the Main Trunk. The occasion was the official opening ot a commodious dairy shed at the Douglas saleyards, where Newton King, Ltd., and the Nt Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., conduct fortnightly sales. Both sides of the road just beyond the township of Douglas are occupied with the system of pens, races and yr rdis which go to make up a well designed saleyard. In a central position, just behind the second line of drafting pens, stands the new pavilion. It is built on the latest plan with the rostrum occupying one corner so that the auctioneer looks across the selling ring to the semi-circle of buyers seated on the step and stairs pattern round the remainder of the available space. The pavilion will seat 100 buyers in comfort, leaving ample space for any overflow to stand at the rear. If the demand so requires an extra two rows of seats can be built. The pavilion is well lighted and ventilated from three windows and has the usual facilities for introducing stock at one side and passing them out at the other. Even in present times between 200 and 300 head of cattle change hands each month, and Douglas is recognised as one of the best stock centres in Taranaki. What it may become if the promise of the new trunk line is fulfilled one can only conjecture, but from the remarks of speakers it is obvious that strong efforts wnl be made to constitute Douglas the premier stock centre of Taranaki.

A SYMBOL OF 'PROGRESS.

Mr. Yarndley faced about SO buyers yesterday at the opening ceremony. “I can assure you farmers that it is a very great pleasure to me to be able to declare this new pavilion open and ready for use,” he said. If times had been better, the opening of such an up-to-date cattle pavilion in the Douglas district would have merited a iar more ambitious ceremony, but even under present conditions it stood as a symbol of progress and development. For some time it had been his firm’s a-ibiti to have a ■ suitable selling ring under cover at Douglas, not only for their own convenience, but also because of the importance of the fortnightly sales to the district. His firm had big commitments in the Ohqra and. towards the Alain Trunk. When the railway, now in the final stages of construction, was open for traffic cattle and sheep from these distant areas would be brought to Douglas for sale, and, with this opening of additional markets the pavilion would undoubtedly see many new buyers bidding for Taranaki stock. Mr. Yarndley mentioned that this matter had been investigated very carefully by his directors and it was his opinion that before long even that commodious pavilion would be found too small to cater for all the business it was anticipated would be offering. Mr. Yarndley thanked Mr. C. 8. Williams for the interest he had taken in the Douglas development and congratulated Mr. G. Hunter, the builder, upon his work. Tributes were also paid to Mr. R. Porter, manager of the Loan and Mercantile, and the directors of Newton King Ltd. for their ready appreciation of the facilities offered by Douglas as a centre for stock dealing. Mr. Truby King, chairman of Newton King Ltd.’s board of directors, endorsed Mr. Yarndley’s remarks. His board, he said, was convinced that the district would benefit materially when trains were running to the Main Trunk and Douglas became one of the chief stock centres of the province.

On behalf of the branch of the Farmers’ Union Mr. L. Marfell was asked to address those assembled. The branch, said Air. Marfell, keenly appreciated any development within its district, and those responsible for the erection of this fine pavilion were to be congratulated upon the initiative they had displayed. In these days of low prices it was encouraging to see such a note of optimism struck by two large firms.

Associating himself with uhe other speakers, Mr. F. T. Hale, on behalf of the New Zealand Loan and Alercantile Agency Company, Limited, tstressed the opinion that the times called for greater confidence between buyers and sellers, between farmers and firm and between man and man. Now that the stock firms had taken the initiative in showing their confidence in the district by erecting the pavilion, they looked to the farmer to display his confidence in the firms. Better markets and more confidence were the essential requirements of the day.

- GOLF AT MANGAMINGL TE NGUTU VISITORS BEATEN. By three games to two, with one all square, Mangamingi golfers beat a party of Te Ngutu visitors during the week-end. Results are: Anderson and Best beat Hollis and Stevenson 1 up; Hickey and Woodley beat B. and G. Barclay 2 up and 1; Hardwick Smith and G. Brown lost to Todd and Betts 4 and 3; Coppiestone and Dallinger beat Harris and Treweek 3 and 2; L. Gower and McDonald and Evetts and Robertson all square; Kitchen and Ward lost to Oldfield and G. Treweek 7 and 6. A flag match at Te Ngutu for Mr. J. Barclay’s trophy was won by Stevenson, who carried his flag to the 19th green. Mr. Stevenson’s trophy was won by Trevor Betts, who made a drive of 217 yards. After playing off a tie with three others G. Barclay won a bogey competition. ELTHAM MEN’S GOLF. W. ARTHUR JUNIOR CHAMPION. In the final of the Eltham Golf Club’s junior championship, W. Arthur beat S. W. Crawford, 4 and 3. For the Abbott trophy Abbott and Stanners beat Arthur and de Launay 2 and 1; J. Quin and A. Chrystal beat H. Casey and Valintine 2 up. The following have reduced their handicaps: A. A. Stewart to 6 —5; W. Arthur to 13—10; R. Lee to 12 —9.