OTOROHANGA SALEYARDS

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 349, 1 April 1911, Page 6

OTOROHANGA SALEYARDS

_..... ._ AUSPICIOUS OPENING. Thursday last was a red letter in Otorohanga. From far and near settlers gathered to the first stock sale held in the newly-built saleyards at Otorohanga. It was estimated that over 1000 head of cattle and 5000 sheep were offered, and though, owing to the abnormally dry weather, prices were much lower than a good season would yield, yet cattle went off well, and sheep sold at higher rates than at Wednesday's Te Kuiti sale. Mr John Ormsby, Chairman of the Otorohanga Saleyards Co., Ltd., in declaring the saleyards open, referred to the wide expanse of country that would eventually be brought into use for dairying and agricultural purposes. Mr Vercoe, for the Waikato Farmers' Co-opreative Auctioneering Co., Ltd., then opened the sale, and was followed by Mr Dillan, of the Loan and Mercantile Co., Ltd., and Mr St. Hill, for Dalgety and Co., Ltd. —the three firms which have jointly leased the saleyards. In the evening a smoke concert was held in the Commercial Hotel, Otorohanga, at which a large company of residents settlers and visitors, estimated at nearly one hundred, were present, Mr John Ormsby occupied the chair, and read apologies for absence from Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., W. J. Shaw, of Kawhia, Von Stunner and Hosking. The toast of "The King" having been enthusiastically drunk, the Chairman called on Mr Jaa. Boddie to propose the toast of "The Otorohanga Saleyards.'"

THE SALEYARDS. Mr Boddie said it gave him great pleasure to propose the toast, particuIraly because of a remark made to him that afternoon. Ho had happened to say that they were good saleyards, and the reply came "I am glad to hear you say that, coming as you do from Te Kuiti. We generally think you believe nothing can be good in Otorohanga." The sentiment that their own centre was the better did not animate the public men of both Te Kuiti and Otorohanga. It was a source_ of gratification to them in Te Kuiti to know that Otorohanga had reached the splendid state of advancement it should that day. Looking over the progress made in the last three years, and bearing in mind that seventy-five per cent, of those present were carrying forward the public work of the distrct, he saw no reason for fearing anything but that Otorohanga had a splendid and brilliant future before it, and would be capable of carrying an immense population. The district was suited for dairying and agricultural purposes and it was not too optimistic that while Te Kuiti was naturally in advance at present Otorohanga as a town and district had a big future before it. One important problem to solve was the difficulty of getting to and from the various parts of the district. If dairying was to be done on an extended scale settlers did not want to spend two or three days in going to the centres to sell his surplus stock. The gentlemen who had built the saleyards recognised that in establishing the yards they had an evidence of the fact that the men in that district were alive to its needs and full of confidence and courage. The yards would be of inestimable benefit to the district. He hoped on the occasion of the next sale they would have had more rain. It was very dry inside and outside but they could control neither.

Mr W. Vicary in responding said the difficulties they had had to contend with were well known. There were difficulties in getting a site through no fault of the native owners but now they had got a much better one and had been repaid by waiting. It had given them great satisfaction to see the entries made that day. The yards would help the district and save settlers going a long distance. There were twenty native shareholders —all right good fellows. One hundred and fifty shares of £~> each had all been taken up except two. Mr John Ormsby also responded to what he described as one nf the most important toasts of the evening._ As one acquainted with the Waikato throughout, in its natural and cultivated state, he could say they had a better district than Waikato generally, and the more one travelled out of it, the better one liked it. Round Otorohanga, there was a vast extent of agricultural country, every inch of it workable, suitable for grain growing and dairy farming. It was the smallest centre in the King Country, but it had three creameries within six miles of it, successfully carrying on in spite of the dry weather, which spoke volumes for the quality of the district. The muster of stock that day had far exceeded their expectations. He beiieved that the energy shown by the various local bodies, all working in their own particular spheres, but joining together for the benefit of the district as a whole would force the powers that be to consider their wants. EATING NATIVE LANDS. Mr Ornish}, continuing, said he would like those present to look kindly at the poor natives, whom many regarded as wasters, and enquire into their disabilities. The natives were a long-suffering people, and only such would put up with the harrassing treatment meted out to them, which had worked detrimental to them. As an illutration he said he had bought land, and put it under a Land Transfer title, under the impression that he could utilise that title for financial purposes but was told that he was still a halfcaste and the matter must come before the Native Land Board. If he had the disabilities what show had a poor native? The natives had the utmost respect for their European friends but he questioned whether the pakeha generally had a similar

feeling towards the Maori. Many had he knew but as the expressions \ given in public' and in the press showed, they had not that feeling j they had a right io expect. Natives were willing to pay rates, but much j of their land was held in common, and so could not be worked like j individualised lands. They might say: Why don't they individualise . it? But some lands could not be j individualised., because a fee of £1 , per individual owner had to be paid, and that made it prohibitive. He : maintained that the Native Land Board was the only system, if pro- j perly carried out, but many people j were put on it who were not in sympathy with the movement, and therefore could not work it to satisfaction. LOCKED UP LANDS. j With regard to lands locked up ; under the control of the Native j Land Board, there was this to say: | The intention was to avoid letting j them get into the hands of land speculators, and they were put in j the Board's hands on similar lines ] to Crown lands. Unfortunately, the j system had not worked as well as ', expected. The question of getting sufficient surveyors was a great i drawback. He knew, in his own j experience, of two blocks authorised j to be surveyed three months ago. He j could not get the work done, as the j authorities had not sufficient surveyors to do it. The area under native tenure was very small in proportion to that taken by Europeans. Many Europeans holding native land pay rents, but they did not come forward to do so. Their lands were still considered native lands. LOCAL PROGRESS. That waa certainly a red letter day for Otorohanga. In progress it was impossible for any place to retain it to itself. Without rivalry the two sister townships would never progress. ! He would like to see Te Kuiti go for- ] ward, and he would benefit and vice j versa. He looked forward to seeing , Otorohanga a junction yet, and was j going to work for it. It would be ; only bringing the line to its natural ! centre. He voiced the feelings of the i shareholders in welcoming that gather- : ing. They had the feeling there, and the spirit. (Voices: Feeling, but no "spirit.") He was glad to see the friendly feeling amongst the auction- , eers. THE AUCTIONEERS. Mr R. G. Matthew proposed the \ toast of the "Visiting Auctioneers." He wa3 very pleased to see them working together, and contrasted that spirit with his experiences in other districts. Time was wasted by hold- : ing different sales, and when all were ; together, all could do business. It ; concentrated the auctioneers' business ; and the settlers' business. It was better for the auctioneers and better for them. It was a very dry business. (Voices: Very dry!) It had rained in Auckland, but they had had none, and . the could not expect to get good prices i in a dry season. He thought the auctioneers had a very hard row to hoe. Mr Herdman, in responding on be- j half of the auctioneers, said the en- I tries that day proved what could be | done. It was not wise to have too many sales in the year, and he sug- j gested quarterly sales, gradually increasing in number as stock increased. No doubt the stock was selling very low, but it was quite in keeping with other markets. As auctioneers they catered as agents for both vendor and buyer, and were willing always to do their best for both. He asked that Messrs Dalgety and Co. should be put j down for the two remaining shares. ! Mr Matthews mentioned, as show- ; ing the value of their securities, that j the saleyarda site was bought at £2O j an acre, and would sell readily at j £4O or £SO an acre.

Mr Johnson gave the. toast of "Commerce," saying that during his 2,1 years in the King Country, the district had been held back because the Government did not give facilities for dealing in native lands. Wherever the common cow congregated, it macb butter-fat---and that spelt £. s. d. The "Visitors" was proposed byMr Worthington, and responded to by the Rev. E. S. Wanye, and "The Press," proposed by Mr Viary, and responded to by Mr H. W. Atkinson. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Johnson, St. Hill, R. G. Matthews and Worthington, and the gathering broke up with everyone feeling that the Otorohanga saleyrads had been launched on a prosperous and successful career.