OPENING OF MESSRS LOWES AND IORNS NEW SALE YARDS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 966, 5 January 1882, Page 2

OPENING OF MESSRS LOWES AND IORNS NEW SALE YARDS.

Yesterday a considerable number of the leading settlers of this district assembled at the premises of the new firm to take part in the first market sale which has been held in their new and commodious yards. The business of the.afternoon was preceded by a lunoh, for which Mr Elkins was caterer, and which we need hardly. say needed no other recommendation. The chair was taken by Mr G. Beetham, M.HiR., and the vice-chair by Mr W. C. Buchanan, M.H.R. After full justice had been done to the good things provided, The Chairman in calling upon Mr Buchanan to propose the health .of the new firm expressed his sincere pleasure in seeing indications of a new prosperity dawning on the district. . His impression was that good sale yards were an absolute necessity for any district He pointed out that it was the nimble sixpence which paid, and that settlers had lost fortunes through holding on to stock. He was glad to see on his right, sale'yards worthy of the district, though he believed that they would yet have to he made larger. The Wairarapa was a magnificent district, but they had hardly been energetic in taking advantage of its capabilities. He had himself seen in the oniony, districts inferior to the Wsirarapa which were more progressive; He recognised that there was a glorious future before the Wairarapa,. but they would first have to get riit of such pests.as scab and rabbits. Individual exertions like those which had erected the now sale yards would contribute largely to the success of the district. Without trenching too far-on the toast wMch was committed to the care of Mr Buchanan he expressed a hope that, the' new firm would receive every assistance from the settlers present whioh it was-in their power to give, as their efforts were beneficial to both the district and themselves. .

Mr W. C.,Buchanan said it gave him muoh pleasure to propose the tbast placed in his hands. He was glad to see a start made in such a substantial way with new yards. In other oolnnies, and in other districts of this colony, good remits were obtained frnm similar enterprises. He had known in on# American sale yard a million of cattle pat through in one year. Tl|e Amerioans were a business people, and recognised the benefit of division of labor.' In this ■ distriot hitherto the auctioneers Had labored under special disadvantages, but he felt assured that if the new firm did not ; overcome these drawbacks it would not be their fault. He concluded by proposing amid loud applause the health of the firm of Lowes and lorns. ' -

Mr Lowes thanked all present for the very cordial manner in whioh the toast had been drunk/ He agreed with the remarks whioh had' been made on the, advantages to be obtained by this district from the establishment of. proper sale yards, and had some years ago'seen that the Wairarapa offered a field for such an enterprise. '; It was not, however, till he came over a short time ago to give his vote that he had decided to embark in it. The principal ..difficulty he anticipated was in obtaining buyers. From conversations which he had had 'with both large' and small graziers, he found that one and all were willing to dispose of their surplus stock, There , would be plenty of sellers and he would be very well satisfied.for that afternoon's work.to> dispel the idea whioh he had entertained as to. the pauoity of purchasers. The enterprise of bis partner and himself wm not altogether

a selfish one. If their firm , had not started it some other firm would, They would ! assist j the - district by.' enabling Bettlera all the year round not only to sell but-te buy stock.- They did not see why, the Wairarapa should be an exception to the rest of New Zealand in the matter of tale yards. He' had seen on the West Coast, in a place half the size of -Featherston, 700 and 800 head of cattle pass through the yardß-in a f single day; but there a farraor when ' lie had plenty of feed would go to the yards and buy atock, and when he he had grazed down thefeed ho would take the same stock back to the sanie yards and • sell them again, and would find a. profit in .both transactions.. The speaker' pointed out too that when' sale yards Vera properly .'established competition from other districts tfouMset in. Buyers would come!from, outside'diatriots to purchase. (Applause.) " The Chairman expressed the pleasure with which they all welcomed back, to Masterton Mr Lowes and his family. He also alluded to the probability of buyers for meat freezing' companies shortly attending market sales. The health of Mr Lowes and his ( family was drunk . with enthusiasm, and'-Mr Lowes iri responding said that it was at bis wife's wish that he had returned to settle in Masterton., 'Having- come back, however, he found that he did not regret the step which he had taken.

After the luncheon an adjournment wan made to the . ~ NEW SALE YARDS, which were reen to advantage being wellstocked with all classes of animals. The yards themselves have been built under the superintendence of . Mr G. Fannin, architect, in a style that has never bolore been attempted in the neighbourhood. They are enclosed by a substantial hoarding fence,- and each pen is designed and constructed on the very best principles for the Bpecial object which it is intended to serve. As sale yards, these new premises are more than a step in advance, they.are a whole flight of steps forward, and they stamp a different character altogether on our local live meat auctions. It .was no wonder that Mr lorns, when he coinmenced to dispose of the various lots in the yard, found that bidding was keenor and prices better than in old times. The following report of prices realised are the best comment on Messrs Lowes and lorns' new enterprise

Every lot yarded was sold at satisfactory prices, In cattle more than. three hundred head passed through the- yards, and found purchasers atgood rates, yearlings fetching from 12 10s to JS3, 2-year from 1310 ato£4 5s Gd, and 3-year olds up to £0 2s Gd. Fair prices were obtained for sheep, ordinary ewes fetching Is 4d per head. Hacks weut low, but draft horses were disposed of at priceß ranging up to £19103. Only one item in the catalogue was withdrawn, viz., 372 acres of land at Kopuaranga, on which a reserve was fixed. .... .

It is the intention of the auctioneers to continue these sales for to iglitljv- n For the next one, which will fall due ou Wednesday, the 18th instant, GO head of cattle and 200 sheep are already entered. The firm is to be congratulated on making a successful Btart with, its new sales, and in business speculation of this nature a successful start means a great deal.