SALEYARDS AND SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 287, 28 April 1911, Page 7

SALEYARDS AND SCHOOL

THE COMPLAINT FROM URENUI. In reference to the discussion at the Education Board meeting concerning the proximity of the Urenui saleyards to the school and the inconvenience arising therefrom, a representative of the News, at the invitation of Mr. Newton King, visited the saleyards at Urenui yesterday. The yards are in close proximity to the school, in fact, they adjoin the school grounds, both being situated on the main road. Our representative visited the saleyards after heavy rain, when there was likely to be some mud and slush about, but in view of the trend of the Board's discussion, was surprised at the state of affairs. The yards were remarkably clean and showed no appearance of an insanitary condition. The cattle pens, which are used in wet weather, had been recently' paved, and are perfectly clean. The natural slope of the ground takes all drainage away from the school. There are three pig pens close to the school fence. They were covered with pine needles to a depth of two or three inches at the time of the visit, and on removing these the. soil was found free of any smell, indeed, it seemed that pigs could not have been penned there for some time. Mr. S. W. Shaw, who represented Mr. King, stated that it is very seldom pigs are sold in the yards, and he did not think that 25 pigs had been sold during the past six months. Regarding the sheep, the only times that there are large numbers of these in the pens are at the annual fair and the supplementary fail in March. Then, if the wind were from the east, the school would probably get a baptism of dust, which certainly coulo not tend to the comfort of the teacher or children. In very hot weather the smell from 1 the sheep might be noticeable, but not unhealthy. The fence "Between the school grounds and the saleyards is in good order. The main entrance to the yards is here, and all cattle,', eta, pass through and are drafted to the various pens. It is a substantial'fence Of sawn posts about sft. 6ih..'in height; and 6in. x l'/ 3 in. rails. Although c our made a very tjarejfur -inspection, he could not see. a,iyw. signs' 'of cattle having broken through iiytd'jthe school grounds. Looking' along'j'lhe road, frontage, however, the ; r,e is/ qiiifc.e'a, contrast. The saleyards spKoi^T' and particularly for the naif close to the saleyards, is."fn]a very parlous condition. It consisJ4,'pf wires attached to posts, arid'near the saleyards is practically razed to the ground, quite useless as a protection-against even the mildest of "cattle., The,,,(proximity of the saleyards may |have,)Caused this, but it cer-tfciniyv.-iShows neglect on the part of somebody tfiajh the fence has been allowed ,tp"'ge;t into such a state. Had Mr.'.King] been approached, he would Abwbitlessji'haY*:.'assisted in improving thatifjwrtspn{,i£fo the school frontage,, off his property. There complaints previously, atthwi") jjthe, saleyards have been erected;, somerififteen or twenty years. Messrs^;W,jdUfc and Hignctt first start-! Ed the there. The yards then I passed thnmgh; jhe hands of Messrs. WylJie and Stotto, and Messrs. Jenkins, Matthews #£d Eiggofct, from which firm Mr. I.King purchased them about three yea.rs; (! ago»!j; Since; >then Mr. King has spent some hundreds of pounds in improving condijigfts, i ; The saleyards were in existence when the school was rebuilt on its present 'site in 1000. Why, if-the..yards were considered a menace, the school was built so close to them is bird to understand, as the school section 'is'large 'enough to allow of its being erected two or three chains further away. Thfl i position does not appear nearly as serious as would be 'tfsshmed Woni = M report of the discus"sion'jit WedVesdays meeting of the Boards ' '-•■<;;• - --:>:n : Aiu\ .■,.. .