STOCK SALES' ACCOMODATION

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 445, 28 January 1919, Page 2

STOCK SALES' ACCOMODATION

(To the Editor.) g IE( _I wish to call attention of the public attending stock sales to the offensive, annoying and antiquated method in use by the different auctioneering firms of marking cattle for sale. This method of sticking a branding iron into a kerosene tin of coal tar ami upon withdrawal allowing the tar to drop and to blow up jn the persons and clothing of their various customers, is continually causing annoyance, discomfort and of en considerable loss.

Ordinary observation will convince anyone attending the stock sales throughout the country that there are no trading concerns that do less for th 9 comfort and convenience of their customers than the auctioneering firms, while there are no business concerns making more money out of them than tin auctioneers are doing a*- the present time. It is quito time th- se syndLa e3 made some provision for the comfort of their customers and I would suggest a commencement with an improvement to their tar branding methods to be followed by erection of amphitheatres attached to the holding yards, where the cattle could be driven and exhibited Such enclosures to be pro-'ided wi h suitable accomodation for seating the selling and im-chasing public. At preseii* customers of the auctioneers have to stand out ia the rain iu winter and in the sc rehing sun in summer to attend to their sales and purchases. Ther>» is no other class vt business and no other class of men, except the farming community, who would tolerate such conditions.

The immediate cause of my calling attention to these matters is that 1 have just been a sufferer to the extent of a suit of clothes - not to speak of the personal discomfort of having my hands and face smeared with tar, and I trust that this letter may induce other farmers to insist on better treatment in the directions indicated.—Yours etc,

J. HENRY Patuuiahoe, 28th Jan. 1919.