OHURA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 9 May 1916, Page 8

OHURA.

MR NEWTON KJNG'S ENTERPRISE. (From our own Correspondent). A very large and enthusiastic meeting of settler, ,ot the Uhura District met in the China Town Hall on Wednesday last to meet Mr .Newton King, who, according to a promise made on a previous visit to the locality, was present with his Stratford manager (Mr H. E. Abraham) to discuss the purchasing of the saleyards and the opening of a branch of his business in Ohura. About a month ago when the directors of the Taranaki Meat Freezing Company went through from Stratford, Mr Newton King was approached by deputations and earnestly requested to establish a branch at Ohura and hold periodical sales in this growing centre. The matter was of too great importance to be decided upon at a moment's notice, and after careful consideration, a second visit was made as above stated. The gathering was one of the most representative ever held in the district, and the enthusiasm was unbounded.

Mr G. C Stevenson occupied m the chair and introduced Mr Newton .King, who stated that he had been much impressed by the possibilities of the country, and was willing to do business if the people would support him and satisfactory arrangements could be made to purchase the saleyards from the Company now owning them. There was, of course, the difficulty of bad access, and he understood that the flat, on which the yards were, was subject to floods. He wanted the feeling of the meeting as to whether the I)resent position of the yards had been any bar in the past to their success. He hoped those present would speak out freely. He would like to open a branch in Ohura as they had requested, if satisfactory arrangements to all concerned could be affected.

Some discussion as to the position of the .yards took place and hs to the state of the road. Certain members of tlie County Council guaranteed to provide proper access to the yards, and an adjournment for discussion of the financial arrangements between the Directors of the Saleyards Company and Mr King took place, after which Mr King . announced flint lie hpd agreed to purchase the yards, and that most of <the business .would be done by His Stratford Manager (Mr H. TC. Abraham). The.-.statement was received with ] applause, and general satisfaction was "expressed at the decision arrived at.'-' ■• . ■., , "It is understood that probably ac the beginning of October, business will be commenced, and Mr King will appoint a Resident Agent for the district. Although the yards are not too satisfactorily situated, they are very substantially built, and if the roads arc properly improved, they will servo their purpose very well. Mr Newton King's movement in this direction will doubtless be of very material benefit to the settlers, and will link up a por* tion of the Taranalri district hitherto cut off from this end commercially and by lack of access.