STOCK FROM EAST COAST

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5252, 16 March 1928, Page 2

STOCK FROM EAST COAST

FIRST CONSIGNMENT BY BAILWAY

INTEREST AT PAEROA STATION.

The first train-load of stock from the East Coast districts reached Paeroa o.n Monday, having come straight through over the new line from Tailranga. There were 45 trucks in all, anfi these carried 730 fat lambs and close on 100 head of cattle consigned to Horotiu, Westfield, and Southdown. The stock were trucked at Pakatahi, Tarawera, Edgecumbe, Awakiri, Te Puna, and Te Puke. The consignment included bullocks which had woir a number of prizes, at recent agricultural shows, and were a magnificent line., equal , for quality and weight to the very best in the Dominion. The arrival of the first consignment of stock from the East Coast at Paeroa marks an important event in tbe history of the local railway station., and considerable interest was taken in the proceedings. Further trainloads of stock arc due to pass through Paeroa. next .week, and thereafter stock trains, should run fre--quently.

Commenting on, the quality of the bullocks on Monday, a well-known dealer stated that he had never seen finer or better-conditioned animals. Some idea of the size can be gauged when' it is realised that the Railway Department usually loads eight or nine animals in the ordinary H waggon, and then- the beasts are hot unduly overcrowded, but in the case of tlie East Coast stock it was only 1 just possible to get five in a waggon. Considerable interest was taken in one huge bullock, which showed a -magnificent head and back inches above the top of the truck. On arrival at Paeroa. the stock train had to be divided, and 16 truckloads were despatched on Monday night by the 5.40 train, while early on Tuesday a special train drawing 60 trucks, including 39 waggons, of stock, was despatched to Frankton Junction. The handling of so many trucks gave the local station staff a busy time, but the shunting and making up of the extra trains was accomplished with sal isfaclory and efficient expedition.