Stock Sale at Oparau.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 229, 6 October 1905, Page 2

Stock Sale at Oparau.

Boms months ago a representative npeting of Oparau settlers was held, when it was decided that the time was ripe for the holding of cattle sales at that place; subiequeutly representations were made to the two firms of auctioneers in Hamilton asking that the desire be given effect to. The New Zaalaud Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. favourably entertained the idea, and fixed last Monday, October 2nd, as the day when they would have the opening sale. The yarding of caltle wai very good, some 850 head being penned, included amongst the lot being many fine bullocks and prime dairy heifers. Bayers from a considerable distance were in attendance, but we regret to have to report that the sale was a dismal failure, as only about a dozen head changed hands under the hammer (at low prices), whilst 106 bullocks, belonging to Messrs Davies and Sons, were sold privately at £4 12s 6d per head, the purchases being Messrs Cunningham and Tapp, of Te Akau. The failure of the sale came as a Barprise and shock to all concerned, and the cause is attributed to one of two reasons. The buyers assert that the reserves placed on the cattle wereridiculously high, whilst the owners maintain that buyers wanted to get the stock at very much under value. The general opinion was that the last namad was the correct solution of why the sale was not successful. Mr C. Hunter acted as auctioneer, whilst Mr Bare (manager of the Hamilton branch), was also in attendance.