CANTERBURY SALEYARDS COMPANY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1563, 21 February 1879, Page 4

CANTERBURY SALEYARDS COMPANY.

A meeting of the directors of the Canterbury Saleyards Company was held at the company’s office, Hereford street, on Thursday, February 20th, 1879. Present —Sir J. Cracroft Wilson (in the chair), Messrs Wm. Henderson, Jno. Mann, and Samuel Q-ar-forth. The secretary reported in hand 18th January last £413 14s 9d. since received £441 13s 4d, making £855 8s Id ; since paid £592 7s lOd, leaving a balance in hand of £203 Os 3d. The sub-committee appointed to deal with tho tenders of Messrs Q-racie and Eighton, and to carry out the addition to the cattle yards, brought up the following report: — That the present capping between the pens be taken off, amt used to make a platform the whole length of the pens, and th<*t new capping, 15 x 3, be fixed between the pens. They find the work, together with tha new gates required, can be done by tho yardsman, with the assistance of one man, which they have authorised him to engage, and that the work is now in hand. (Signed) Wm. Hendekson, _ Chairman, It was resolved that the consideration of the resolution passed at the annual general meeting, that all cattle bo sold by auction, be postponed to the next meeting of directors, and that special mention of the subject be given in the notice calling tho meeting. The following letter to the chairman from Mr J. T. Matson was read : Christchurch, February 19th, 1879. To the Chairman and Directors of the Canterbury Saleyards Company. Sir and Gentlemen, —I am truly sorry that a prior arrangement with Messrs Bruce and Coe to be present at their homestead on this day, will prevent my attendance at the Board’s meeting, and trust, under the circumstances, my absence on this occasion may be excused. I wish to point out to my brother directors a circumstance which took place at the saleyards yesterday (Wednesday), when some young lads were guilty of a most disgraceful act, which in my opinion ought certainly not to be overlooked. It appears that some young rascals on the occasion named used sticks, with tar upon the points, for the purpose of mutilating certain cattle, by pushing the said sticks np the fundaments of the poor beasts, and otherwise harassing them. I found on inquiry that the company’s yardman had taken the precaution to obtain the names of the young scoundrels, and it now remains for the Board of Directors to take whatever action they may deem fit in the matter. My opinion is that as the foolish, but cruel act, may have been committed through thoughtlessness, and from a spirit of mischief, it would meet tho case if the fathers of the young barbarians were com. polled to give each a horsewhipping, and failing their consent to adopt this mode, that an information bo laid by us, so as to bring the perpetrators to a just punishment, as without doubt, our being guardians of the yards, the onus of responsibility rests upon our shoulders. I am, my dear sirs, Yours most faithfully, (Signed) Jno. T. Matson. It was resolved that the names of the boys therein referred to be got from the yardsman, and that their parents or guardians be written to, and a proposal made to them that if they do not agree to punish their children within four days from the date of tho communication, in the presence of and to the satisfaction of two of the directors, tho boys will be prosecuted before tho Resident Magistrate.

Resolved springers in the fat cattle pens be immediately removed, and that tho secretary instruct the assistant yardsman to strictly carry out this direction.” After passing some accounts for payment the meeting terminated.