The Daily News. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1901. THE WHANGAMOMONA SALE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 271, 16 November 1901, Page 2

The Daily News. SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 1901. THE WHANGAMOMONA SALE.

The establishment of stock and cattle salts has long been recognitor?, not only as a mark of progress, but as one of, if not the chief, factor in the promotion ■ of settlement. Of far more importance than the provision of banking institutions is the establishment of a means whereby settlers in new districts are enabled readily to buy and sell stock. Everybody who has any acquaintance with the history of Taranaki knows that the facilities afforded by the auctioneers to enable settlers to acquire stock on terms suited to their financial position has enabled many of them to bang on to their sections till they got on their feet. As far as northern Taranaki is concerned it would be impossible to over-estimate tbe value ofthe assistance rendered to settler?, in this manner, by Mr Newton King, It is a good many years since this enterprising auctioneer extended his badness to Stratford ; but for a lOng time it proved very unprofitable. Indeed, it is said that on at least one occasion the total commission received on account of a sale at Stratford was 2s 6d. Since then, on several occasions, over 3000 head of cattle have been actually sold under the hammer at the Stratford yards—a splendid reward of Mr King's pluck in sticking to the district, and very good evidence of the progress made. Subsequently Mr King also opened saleyards at Toko, Awakino, and other places, the annual sheep fair at Toko being one of the largest in the North Island. Under these circumstances the establishment of regular stock sales at Whangamomoua is an event of more than ordinary interest to the people of the district and to all who 'have the welfare and progress of Taranaki at heart. Whangamomona is one of tbe most prosperous of the small farm settlements established by the late Sir John McKenzie. It is one of tbe outposts of settlement in Taranaki, and, situated as it is at the junction of several roads, it is destined to become a place of considerable importance. From there coaches run out to the railway at Stratford, and to the river where they connect with the splendid fleet of steamers which ply on that river. Very shortly coaches wi'l run north and connect with the Waikato railway, enabling people to reach Auckland. An important road, the Moki-road, will also eive access to the coast via Uruti and TJrenui. In establishing saleyards at Whangamomona, Mr Newton King has conferred a benefit on the district that is incalcurable, and he deserves , the greatest possible credit for his energy and enterprise. With the class of settlers who reside there—settlers who have proved their indomitable perseverance in over-coming ■ tbe initial, but extremely arduous, difficulties of their isolated settlement, ' the venture cannot help but be success- , ful. We heartily congratulate the ' settlers and the settlement on tbe good fortune that has come to them and ! wish the new venture every success.