CANTERBURY SHEEP TRAFFIC.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18074, 16 May 1924, Page 3

CANTERBURY SHEEP TRAFFIC.

THE INLAND ROUTE. : (■PSCIAI. TO "TJDS.PBISSi") ■''■"■;• '.. ,:, ; Y .Referring at: a -meeting of'.the Prop gress League to the congestion of sheep traffic ori'tiie "present Coast .'road..- t» Christehurch, at certain seasons of the year, Mr G.< H. Andrew, of Birch W% mentioned that there was .a splendid inland route via the Waihopai V«alley, the Canterbury Spur, -and r Hanmer, coming-out at Gulverden- The sheep could be either marketed at Culvorden or entrained there for ,' the Addington market. The only drawback* to the use' of 'this route was the 'absence of holding paddocks, BO:that at night the, sheep had to be guarded. But for this drawback the route was much preferable to the Coast route, because the sheep were right, out of the; way of traffic; there was an abundance of toed and water in the summer, and'the travelling over the grass clad country was easier than along the hard roads. In addition there was no dust, and the sheep could be landed on the Canterbury market in as good condition as when they left Marlborough. If holding paddocks could be provided there was no reason why all the sheep from middle Marlborough should not go to Canterbury -that way, leaving the Coast route clear for sheep from the Awatere,and other districts, which were better served by that route.* He: suggested that the Lands Department should be. asked to set aside email are»is'at-suitable points along the Canterbury Spur route for holding paddocks. About half-a-dozen were wanted. Tlie land was all Crown leasehold, and the cost of. fencing, etc., .would not exceed about £SOO. The route, even in- its present conditions, was made good use of for sheep droving. • /The'.matter'was'rel'eried'to a sub-ccm-mittee,, consisting of Mr Andrew, and Mr. F. E. Fairweather to report fully at the next meetingl