Pahiatua Farmers' Association Yards.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XIV, Issue 2490, 9 March 1896, Page 4

Pahiatua Farmers' Association Yards.

~ - A MODEL. J?Kc yard* eroded by the farmers ySotilm district for the sale of their stock on p. hrm and equitable basis ai)< : independent of the uncertainty auii unfairness which has hitherto characterised sotue of the stock sales of the distaict are now nearly completed. The first sale is to take place next Saturday and this and nouncement must be a source of satisfaction to many a settler. To say that the yards are about the best designed, built, and most convenient of any in New Zealand is not saying too much, for when the farmers of this district resolved to assert their independence and protest against the manner in which the stock sales were being conducted, they determined to build substantial yards, not like one recent structure, of rimu throughout, but of the best timber procurable. Mr DeG. Fraser was the designer, and the highest credit is due to that gentleman for the absolutely perfect plan on which the yards are built, the ring being quite a model in its construction, in fact almost suited for a Spanish bull ring. The two ticrsof seats and the elevated and protected auctioneer's rostrum, immediately in front of the people, is a novelty in tbis part of the country. The contractors, Messrs Scott Brothers, have given every satisfaction and have worked night and day to finish the work as soon as possible. The six-inch layer of metal was supplied by Mr D. O'Brien, the Association providing the spreader. Mr J. Kennedy made and provided the ironwork, which certainly does him credit. Wo have said the yards are a model of construction and the following description will convince our readers that this is so : The yards are situated at the jurction of Mangatainoka and Tyndall Streets, and are, therefore, central and of easy access. Totara has been used throughout, with the exception of cattle pen rails, which are heart of Rimu. The yaids ar° so constructed that they may be added to at any time. The selling pen is 80ft. in diameter, and circular inform. Running half-way rourd on the town side is a gallery of two tiers, and capable of seating eighty to one hundred people. The highest seat will be elevated 9ft. Gin. so that everything may be seen w:th ease. The cattle yards are of various dimensions from Bft. by 14ft. to 16ft. by 16ft., and are capable of accommodating 400 head of cattle. The posts used in the cattle pens are 10in. by lOin. and Gft. high. Two of the four pens immediately behind the auctioneer's box are lift, by 16ft., and the others lGft by lGft. Then between them and the four pens at the back again is an Bft. wide race. Running Uie length of these pens and at the side are two 8 ft. races, and oil' them on the north side live pens and on the south three. The eheepyards, built on the the south side of the saleyards are very roomy, with strong and well hung gates, the race especially being very good, allowing of a flock to be divided in the one drafting into three lots. The gates are so constructed to block the several races at any point required. The yards vary in size from 10ft. by 20ft. to 45ft. by 30ffc M having all conveniences for drafting, etc. The holding capacity of the pens is 1200. A further accommodation for 25G0 sheep is provided by a securely-fenced paddock, situated between the cattle and sheep yards. An outside paddock for grazing purposes is also attached to the yards. The pig pons aro built on the north side of the ring and are, like the other pens, very roomy. All gates are double-styled, the cross bars, braces, and styles beirg securely bolted with througn bolts at every crossing. They are all tarred. The buyers' gallery is to be boarded and well-finished. The office, facing Tyndall street, is not a mere sentry box, but match lined and supplied with convenient fittings, and "weather-boarded with rusticated timber. The yards are to be painted and when finished will have a most substantial appearance. They will be a credit to the Association and the district.