PUBLIC MARKET FOR GERALDINE

Temuka Leader, Issue 2254, 15 September 1891, Page 3

PUBLIC MARKET FOR GERALDINE

An adjourned meeting of those interested in erecting a public market for Geraldine was held in the Town Board office yesterday afternoon, when there was a large number of farmers and others present, Mr "White occupying the chair. The chairman said that at a previous meeting a committee was formed to interview the proprietors of the Geraldine Yards and ascertain on what terms they would lease them to a company. The committee met last Friday, after having interviewed the proprietors of the yards, and Mr Orbell being chairman of the committee he would call on him to lay the matter before the meeting. Mr Orbell said they had received the following letter from the proprietors of the yards, Messrs Mundell & Taylor:—"We have this day gone fully into the matter re letting our saleyards in Geraldine to a company which might be formed. After careful consideration we have decided to let for seven or ten years at a rental of £l5O per annum, Messrs MundeU & Co. reserving the right to sell all kinds of stock publicly or privately at the yards, and we are prepared to hand over possession as soon as may be convenient to the company, all existing agreements with auctioneers to be cancelled." On receipt of this letter the committee met and considered it fully, and sent the following reply to Messrs Mundell and Taylor:— " The committee has fully considered your offer of £l5O per annum, and have unanimously agreed that they cannot recommend the public meeting, to be held on Monday next, to accept your terms, as they considered the rental asked far above the annual value of the yards. I am requested to state that should you feel disposed to modify the price named in your memo, to, say, £IOO per annum, the committee will be prepared to further consider the matter. As an alternative the committee is prepared to recommend at tho public meeting that the yards shall be valued by arbitrators, and the rental fixed upon a basis of, slay. 10 per cent upon the capital value, including your interest in the yards and ground. Should this meet your views please let me

hear without delay.—Signed W. 0. Orbell. They subsequently, as requested by the previous meeting, visited the market ground at the market reserve, and were all agreed that it was a very suitable site for yards, but beyond that they had done nothing', pending a reply from Messrs Mundell and Taylor. There had been no reply received, but both gentlemen were present, and he believed were prepared to make a proposition, which would probably be satisfactory. Mr Taylor said that the proposition would be brought before the meeting by Mr Webster. Mr H. B. Webster said to come to the point at once he might say that he had a good deal of thought on the matter, and a good deal of conversation with Mr Taylor, and he had also seen the proprietors together, and he could now say that the position taken up in the first instance had been cancelled, and they were willing to meet him to the very best of their ability, and as he informed the previous meeting he did not wish to cause a split, and he knew perfectly well that if he had been compelled to put up private yards Messrs Mundell and Taylor would keep their yards going, and that would cause a split, and a split would likely ruin the whole affair. After a conversation with Mr Taylor an arrangement was come whereby the yards could be worked satisfactorily without forming a company, unless the meeting wished to form a company. He would propose the following resolution—" That the yards be throw open permanently to all auctioneers upon payment of a fee to be fixed annually; that all auctioneers connected with the yards, with Mr R. Taylor and two farmers, be a standing committee before whom all matters connected with yard management shall be brought and finally dealt with by them; and that all auctioneers have equal rights. That this be embodied in a legal manner by a solicitor, and made binding, so that there can be no mismanagement." This would not include anything of what rates shall be charged beyond yardage at all. The arrangement would be that certain yardage shall be charged, and that would meet the matter, providing the proprietors were willing to accept it. Mr Mundell: I am quite willing, providing those interested will pay the legal costs. Mr Webster: Of course those interested will divide the costs between them. Mr Taylor: For my part, lam willing to carry out the agreement upon those lines. Mr B. R. McDonald moved, Mr D. McDonald seconded, and it was carried—- " That the action of the committee with regard to the offer of the proprietors be confirmed." There was no wish by the meeting to go on with the idea of erecting new yards and the matter fell through. Mr Webster's motion was then seconded by Mr Lewis and carried. Messrs Kellman and Orbell were elected as formers on the committee." Mr Webster proposed, Mr D. McDonald seconded, and it was carried—" That the agreement be drawn up by Mr F. Wilson Smith immediately." Mr Webster thanked those present for the way in which they had helpad him through the difliculty. The interest they had taken in the matter had helped in a great measure to have the thing settled amicably. Had it been otherwise there might have been a split, and they would all, no doubt, have regretted it. He hoped the success of the yards would continue, and they would work in the place to the end of their days. (Applause.) He begged to propose a hearty vote of thanks to the Town Board, and especially to Mr White. This was carried by acclamation, and a vote of thanks to Mr Orbell, as chairman of the committee, brought the meeting to a close. ' (warn""" '