STOCK TRANSPORT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 327, 14 September 1932, Page 3

STOCK TRANSPORT

TARANAKI MARKETS COMPLETION OF MAIN TRUNE1 OPENS UP WIDER FIELD. SUPPLIES FOR NORTH. By the opening up of wider markets and the encouraging of stock saies outside the district, the new railway is expected definitely to benefit cattle and sheep-farmers in Taranaki (says the Herald). A New Plymouth stock and station agent to whom the matter was referred, said. that all concerned had long been hoping for the iinking up with the Main Trunk line. With the faster service and cheaper rates there would probably be an increased demand for Taranaki dairy cattle in the Waikato and northern districts, while the Taranaki sheepfarmer, too, should benefit through heing brought more closely into t'ouch with both huying and selling markets. Ohviously there would be considerahle benefits under the new freight rates, said the stock agent. Probably the largest percsntage of Ta.-anaki's dairy cattle went to the Waikato buyers. Counting 12 heifers to the truck, at the present time it cost 14s 6d a head to rail the cattle from ».«icara to Frankton. With the new line opened the cost would be 9s 6d a head. The reduction in freight alone was going to save 33 1-3 per cent. in the rates for cattle railed outward. Waikato Market. During the last year a larger quantity of Taranaki dairy stock had gone to the Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay, where a numher of farmers on uetter class land had turned over to dairying. Nevertheless, the biggest market for Taranaki dairy cattle was still through the Waikato and on fco the Bay of Plenty, the Hauraki Plains and North Auckland. The northern buyers wefe going to benefit considerably by the cheaper rate. This, without doubt, he said, would increase the demands from the north for Taranaki cattle. In addition to the lower freights an advantage was to be found in the reduced time during which the cattle would have to remain in the trucks. The saving on th'e journey would amount to more than 12 hours. The cattle would therefore arrive in better condition and with a healthier appearance, besides making the journey at less risk. Buyers who would at the present time hesitate before purchasing Taranaki cattle because of the risks of the long journey, should soon he able entirely to change their opinions.