BEING ANNOYED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 236, 18 July 1947, Page 4

BEING ANNOYED

CATCHMENT BOARD’S GOAT HERD “TRY-OUT" OF CAPABILITIES next Week Experiments with the object of ascertaining the best methods of controlling its goats have lately been carried ont by the Ashburton river clearing gang of the South Canterbury Catchment Board’s staff, according to Mr J. S. Houston (divisional engineer). An electric fence has proved a complete failure, a wire " fence enclosing the animals is as yet impracticable, so the method of tethering the goats to a long wire by dog collars and chains, so that they can move along the whole length of the wire at will, is considered to be the most feasible at this stage. When enclosed by an electric fence the goats simply pushed their way underneath taking little or no notice of the scorch from the fence, which was apparent on their backs. One led the way and the others followed, and then, strangely enough, they decided that they should, return to the enclosure and so promptly they passed again underneath the obstacle. It was evident, therefore, that an electric fence was not a practical means of controlling them. A wire fence can, without difficulty at the present, be surmounted by the animals, though it is hoped they will ultimately become sufficiently tame to remain within a fenced enclosure, provided one or two of their number are securely tied inside..

“Try-Out” Next Week Though approval has now been ob tained for an experimental herd of 24 for the Ashburton river work, only four have so far been delivered here. Next week these will be given a “tryout” in the river. An area containing fairly thick vegetation will all in probability be selected, and here the goats, attached to long lengths of wire, will be given a chance to show their paces. To', obtain the best results from the goats, and also to facilitate their control, it was essential that they -should become as tame as possible, Mi Houston emphasised. The attainment of’this goal was being made difficult, however, by the actions of children and even adults, it is understood, who make a practice of teasing and annoying the animals during week-ends when there is no staff at hand at the Catchment Board’s yards, to supervise them. . . In fact a complaint concerning this annoyance on the part of thoughtless individuals has been conveyed to the Mid-Canterbury .. Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to animals, who, it is believed, will take action against anyone interfering with the animals. It is N understood' that the Society is perfectly satisfied that the treatment of the goats by the Catchment Board staff is just and humane. It would seem well, therefore, for those who are inclined to chase 01 otherwise interfere with the goats to refrain forthwith for their own benefn and also for that of the animals.