THE OKOIA SALEYARDS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 3960, 12 October 1880, Page 2

THE OKOIA SALEYARDS.

Situated half way between the Wanganui and Wangaehu rivers, at the junction of three inland roads, and close to a railway I station, have been erected the Okoia saleyards. The position has been chosen with some care, it being the centre of the Wangaehu district. By road and rail the communication with town is both easy and rapid, 40 minutes from the Bridge along the No 3 Line enabling an equestrian to enter the yards, while the ordinary passenger train leaving town at 12.15 p.m. will afford every opportunity to those who prefer a horse of another sort. The Eastern line (connecting No 2 and No 3 Lines) already surveyed and partly formed, and which is practically open to the public, runs direct to Okoia, and there meets the Waikupa line, which also joins the No. 3 line at this point. The Okoia has thus become an important junction, the erection of the saleyards under notice still further adding to its importance. The yards have been very stoutly built, the posts being young pine trees, massive in girth, and well planted. On one side of the centre run, to be used for horses, are four pens of three panels square, and on the other side six pens of two panels square. The rails are strong and so put in as to be readily removed when required. The yards stand on high ground, some three or four feet of clay and sand being rammed down for a foundation. Messrs Barns and Higgie notify the opening sale on Wednesday, the 13th instant, when a good variety of stock of all kinds will be submitted to competition. Okoia is a small centre of industries. Messrs Newberry and Millard, brickmakers, have leased from Mr Thomas Higgie about 16 acres of hilly ground, containing three varieties of clay suitable for brick-making purposes. They purpose going in very extensively, and are going .to erect three sheds, each 100 feet long. A saw mill to cut up the white pine in the vicinity is also to be erected, while the firewood industry, under Mr Seeling, is in a very healthy state. A trial lot .of 100 cords of wood will be sold on Wednesday. A first class manuka bush, containing on a rough estimate 5000 cords, about three miles from the station, has been leased by Mr Seeling, so that Okoia firewood will shortly come into the Wanganui market. Okoia has been considered by many to offer great facilities for a public abattoir. The Matarawa stream flows close by, a very important feature in connection with the cleanliness of such a public convenience. It is veiy certain that the residents in and near Wanganui will not tolerate slaughter houses in their immediate vicinity, ana the County Council would do well to consider the advantages offered by the Okoia site.