THE CHRISTCHURCH CATTLE MARKET.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4139, 26 June 1874, Page 3

THE CHRISTCHURCH CATTLE MARKET.

The following description of an enterprising and expensive undertaking—the new cattle market, near the Canterbury capital—is thus described by the Lyttelton Times: — The contractors for erecting the yards and buildings for the new cattle market, on what is familiarly known as Tioknor’s laud, near the Addington station, are progressing rapidly with their work. The land is ten acres in extent, and nearly half of it will be occupied by the structures provided for in the plan originally drawn by Mr. Jacobson. The accommodation will be equal to 1000 head of cattle, 10,000 sheep, 1000 pigs, and 200 calves. The site has a long frontage on the west town belt, where two entrance-gates for cattle, and throe for sheep and pigs, will be provided. The gangways between the cattle-pens will be 9 feet wide, mid the width between the sheep-pens 8 feet wide. The yards are to be constructed with sawn timber, the posts being of totara; those for the corner of the cattle-pens 9iu. x 9in., and those for the corners of the sheeppens sin. x 4in, The pens for both cattle and sheep will be of various sizes, in order to accommodate large and small mobs. The rails for the former are to be 7 feet high, and those for the latter 3ft. Gin. high. Good walkingplates are provided for, so that no difficulty will be experienced in obtaining a close inspection of the various lots without the trouble of getting in and out of the pens. Each of the latter has a gate, which, being opened, extends right across the driving gangway for stock, thus preventing thorn from going beyond the particular pen intended for them, and enabling either sheep or cattle to be driven with very little trouble. The ground is to be stone pitched in some parts and well gravelled elsewhere, so as to keep it something like dry under foot; a building of ornamental design, 81ft x 63ft, will be erected in conjunction with the cattle yards, for the purpose of holding sales during wet weather. .Very good provision is made for light and ventilation, both of which are necessarily of great importance in matters of this kind. A space, 36ft x 21ft, is set apart in the centre for the accommodation of stock when brought hi for sale, and surrounding it there is a gallery capable of holding 600 persons. Stock will be driven in and out by different doors, a,nd the ground plan is so arranged that not only can a second lot be ready for entering before the first lot is sold, but cattle can be brought from any particular pen to the sale, or taken from the sale to any particular, pen with the greatest ease. The general arrangements are in fact remarkably good, and will conduce not only to the comfort of purchasers, but also to a quick transaction of business. The whole of the interior of the building will be stone pitched, and though not included in the present contract, the saleyards company purpose erecting a refreshment pavilion and extensive stabling at an early date. Taking the yards as a whole, they will be very complete, and compare favorably with any in the Southern Hemisphere. The whole plan will cost about £5,000 to carry out.