THE SALEYARDS QUESTION.

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 124, 22 March 1919, Page 4

THE SALEYARDS QUESTION.

|| ■ Vote Against Removal. The , Farmers' Auctioneering company's letter re the removal of the saleyards, further discussion of which was deferred from the previous meeting, was again read at Thursday night's meeting oirthe Matamata Town board. Vosper said it may appear to;some that he was speaking for the removal of the yards because he was interested. This was not so; he was moving in the interests of the ratepayers. He was oonvinced that the yards were even now too close, and it would not be long before they would have to be removed. Some said that the yards were at the end of the town, but it only required one or two places to be du't up when the site would be in the centre of the town. The question had come up in many towns and the controversy was perpetual. He wanted the board to study the sanitary conditions, and also to save the auctioneers the cost of concreting the present yards. The matter, he thought, would not greatly affect his own property. He felt it his duty to ask for a poll of the ratepayers. Mr Price said he was glad that Mr ' Vosper had altered his opinion. It was not long ago when he stated that the saleyards would hurt his property to a large extent. Now, ho said that the yards did not greatly affect his property. Personally, oontinued Mr Price, he was out to save the ratepayers' money all be could, and he was convinced that it would be madness to take a poll because 90 per cent, of the' ratepayers would vote for the yards to remain where they/are. It the people in the country/were consulted he doubted jLßifx would vote for town went on with tj/flf improvement schemes as mooted he was satisfied that'.Jffie yards, when con' orated) be kept in a sani-tary..-condition. He suggested tbfit property owners on Tower 'road would benefit themselves, and the town, if they studied the question of providing roads, for cutting up their properties. He thought if these roads were taken throueh to Mr Vosper's fence th<« latter should be patriotic and give a stock road to connect. • Mr Vosper said he was not gatriotio enough to give the land ecause there was no need for it. If his estate was cut up it was not he who would complain, but the people who purchased.' If the board wanted the road it would have to take it at valuation. Mr Price: Don't you make any error; the board won't, take the road at valuation, it will make you put the roads where it wants them- , , Mr Vosper; I know the chairman's against roe; but I want a vote and am willing to abide by it;. The chairman i Movte a motion, we'll be here all night. Mr Vosper subsequently moved ".that a letter be written to the Auctioneering Company asking it to procure new grounds for saleyards as the town board considers that the present yards will nnt be sanitary in the near future." The motion was not seconded. Mr Price then moved " that the Auctioneering company be adviawd that this board had no objection to the yards exiting where ttoy are at prosenl." This was aecooded by Mr W. A. Gordon, Mr Vo«per then moved an amendment that the firm be advised to procure new grounds, as the present yards will need to be removed before long. This also ftiled to be seconded, and the motion was carried, Mr Vosper isklng to have his vote recorded against it. h When asked where he would suggest removing the yard* to,, Mr Vosper said, Burwood road about three-quarters of a mile out of the town.

'At the Farmers' Union meeting on" Friday the question was discussed at length and it was decided to write to the Town hoard stating that the branch'was in favor of the yards remaining where they art at present.