NEW SALEYARDS AT TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2085, 14 August 1890, Page 3

NEW SALEYARDS AT TEMUKA.

-THE OPENING DAY.

Tbo erection of saleyards at Temuka by. .Messrs J.. Mundell and ,Co. is an evifotthatia likely to have a material influence. upon the business prospects of the townjnand the confidence displayed by the firm, in making them of an extensive character should be gratifying to the farmers and settlers generally, as indicating the confidence •f business men of experience in the resources of the district. Partners will now study their best interests by according the yards a liberal support. The site selected after mature consideration, is in what is known as Marshall’s paddock,, fronting the Waitohi road, within easy distance of the railway station, but not in such proximity to the main street as to cause annoyance by stock being driven through it. The yards cover between two and three acres, and are convenient in every respect. They hare been designed by Mr White, of Geraldine, and erected under bis direct supervision, by Mr Dean, the contractor. The cattle yards are very substantial, the rails unusually strong, the posts all of heavy black pine or totara. There are two drafting or receiving yards, 24ft x 27ft, opening fcoin the road, and 22 cattle pens, each' 21ft x 9ft 6in. These pens are

fitted with gates opening oat to a t centre race. The two receiving yards for sheep, measure 60ft x 36ft, and opra. into 27 smaller yards ot various dimensions. At the north end are

larger yards for the accommodation of J sheep arriving for sale overnight and ~so forth. A conveniently situated drafting race enables all sheep to bo easily classed. At the entrance to the yards is a neat office, Bft x Bft, usefully fitted up. The work has been faithfully carried out, and was finished on Tuesday afternoon ready for-Wednes-day, the day appointed for the formal opening. 'Jo celebrate the occasion Messrs Mundell and Co. secured the Volunteer Hall and inyited their clients, local tradespeople, and others to <Jj

A LTJNCHEOK,

of which about 250 invited guests partook. It was catered for by Mr Leonard Tombs in his best style, and left nothing to be desired. The chair was occupied by Mr A. M. Clark, supported by Mr Mundell on his right and Mr P. Wareing upon his left. The 'vice-chairs were occupied by Messrs M. Quinn and James Guild. The'toast of “ the Queen ” having been duly honored the chairman said that seeing that there was such a large entry of stock, and that doubtless many ef those present were anxious to get to the ordinary patriotic toasts' would be dispensed with, and he should proceed at once to the toast of the occasion, that of their worthy entertainer, Mr J. Mundell. (Applause.) When that gentleman arrived in the colony 21 years ago he, like himself (the speaker) and probably many More present that day, had very little money and very few friends. He now had plenty of both, and he bad the ? satisfaction of knowing that they wbre all of his own making. It waß owing to his energy, integrity and sterling qualities that he was able to meet them there that day,, and he (the speaker) could say that Mr Mundell was second to none in the business he had chosen to follow. All present bad seen the magnificent yards that Mr Mundell had erected in the full faith of the continued prosperity of the district. Ho had evidently made up his mind to make a business there, and he (the speaker) hoped that he would be well supported. There was a great future for the sheep trade yet* From recent returns he found that in Canterbury and the Amuvi district for the year ending the March, 1890, there were 5,000,000 of sheep. Of these 402,000 carcases werefrozen for export, about 75,000 were slaughtered for boiling down purposes, and another 75.000 were shipped to the south. This meant a nretty extensive business. Asa matter of fact there was not a gully m the country that was not capable carrying ahtep, and Mr Mundell had evi-

dently realised the importance of the trade when he extended hia business to Temuka, He (the speaker) was not in favor of so many smell markets. Farmers did better by sending their stock to central markets, where there was a large attendance of buyers and an assured market value. Temuka, however, was so admirably situated that it was bound to develop into an important; market. He would notdetain them longer, but asked them to drink Mr Mundell’s health with musical honors. ,

Mr Mundell, in returning thanks, assured those present that he meant business. From the confidence he had in the district and its residents he felt sure there was a bright prospect before them all. He did not know a better district in New Zealand. He hoped to see everyone interested in stock at those yards every fortnight, not for the purpose of buying and selling only, i but to encourage the trade, and to j keep themselves up in the market values of their stock, which was a most important thiag for a farmer. The farmer and auctioneer were, as it were, in partnership, and they each could serve the other. He did not desire to detain them, but thanked them heartily for the manner in which they had drank his health. Mr Quinn proposed the toast of “Agricultural and Pastoral Interests,” coupled with the names of Messrs J. Talbot and P. Wareing. In doing so he referred in eulogistic terms to the capabilities of the district, and spoke highly of the enterprise of Mr Mundell in erecting such spacious yards. Messrs Talbot and "Wareing briefly replied. Mr Guild, in felicitous terms, proposed the toast of the “ Press,” coupled with the name of Mr J. M. Twomey. The colonial press was admirably conducted, and compared favorably with that of England, ihe reports were as a rule fairly accurate, although occasionally when there was a strong political feeling about the imaginations of editors sometimes ran riot, and their writings might then be accepted with a considerable pinch of salt.

Mr Twomey humorously replied, and a move was then made to the yards which by this time were crowded.

THE SALE,

Thera was an extremely large entry of sheep, cattle, and pigs, add the attendance was the largest ever seen at a sale in Temuka. Sheep brought excellent prices, and cattle sold well, but pigs were not dear. We were unable to get details of the sale, but the report will appear in due course,