OHAKUNE STOCK SALE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 11

OHAKUNE STOCK SALE

A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE. Amid glorious sunshine and before a large gathering of people the Mayor of Ohakune (Mr. H. Delamar) opened Ohakune’s first stock sale on Tuesday. In speaking, the Mayor said that it was an occasion of an advent which marked a further step forward in the path of progress of the borough of Ohakune. Some 20 years ago the proposal to establish stock sales was first mooted and to-day was particularly gratifying of what promised to be the establishment of regular sales in the borough. He stated that not only farmers of the district but business people would benefit by it, as their interest was so vitally linked together. The next speaker, Mr. E. E. Purdon, representing the Ohakune branch of the Chamber of Commerce, stated that a small party of them had got together 10 years ago in an endeavour to hold sales in Ohakune. He paid a tribute to Mr. L. E. Fetzer, who was more or less the foundation of the whole movement and regretted that he wasn’t present at this opening. Mr. Blacklock, president of the Ohakune branch of the Farmers’ Union, paid a tribute to Mr Geo Dead-, man, who was one of those responsible for having the sale here to-day. Mr. Brown, manager of the Loan and Mercantile, Wanganui, stated that if any of the farmers required any financial assistance they were prepared to help them. The number of sheep offering proved to be too many to go in the yard. However, this did not stop everything being sold, the prices being at par with outside fairs. Everything pointed to the sale being a financial success and more than likely it will be a monthly event. A total of 1500 sheep were sold, together with 150 head of mixed cattle. The prices are as follows: —5-6 year ewes (failing mouths) 13s 6d, 4-year-old ewes, 235, lambs b.f., up to 18s Id. 5-6 year ewes 12s Bd, 6 year ewes 12s 7d. ewes aged Ils 9d, 5-6 year ewes 15s 6d. . • Cattle. —Fat cows up to £6 7s, light fat steers £7 12s, 2-year Hereford steers £5 15s. 20-month steers £4 7s, Hereford steers £7 5s (good).