OVERLOADED CARTS.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 36, 11 August 1905, Page 6

OVERLOADED CARTS.

A WARNING. A question which has given a good deal of concern to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a number of citizens is the alleged overloading of carts that goes on in the city. The matter was investigated by Corporation Inspector Doyle, vith the res-ult thafc several drivers were brought before Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M., to-day, and fined on informations laid under the city by-laws, charging them with ihavhig cairried in their carts a weight in excess of the weight stipulated by .the licence. Sir. Wilford, for the defence, said the carts were engaged in the coal trade. He described the method by > which they were loaded at the wharf, and said it was impossible to say within a hundredweight or two what the load weighed. Under tho circumstances he thought discretion should be exercised in the matter, and said a pro- ■ sedition should not be made unless the weight was more than two. hundredweight in excess of the stipulated wfcight. Evidence in support of the statement was given by Mr. Peter M'Ardlfc. Inspector Doyle, in"reply, said it was not an occasional coal cart that was overloaded, but ninety-nino per cent, of them. One day he reminded a driver that he had an excessive load on, but the driver took no notice of the protest ; he simply climbed on the load and brought it nearer three tons than two tons. Dr. A. M'Arthur, S.M. : I wish you had brought that man before me. Mr. Wilford : Mr. M'Ardle's instruction is that they snouTd not get on the carts. Continuing, the Inspector said a wellconditioned horse could take a load weighing even three tons to the gasworks without any undue exertion, but the trouble was when tho carts went up Taranakistrcet and other slight inclines. The attitude of some of the drivers, he stated, showed actual callousness towards the suffering horses. His Worship said he was satisfied that the Inspector used a very reasonable discretion in these matters, and as these cases were more for the purpose of bringing the subject beiore the public, ho" woujd impose a nominal fine of 10s and costs, His Worship added . "I hope that a man seen getting on top of a two-ion load is brought before mo ; I will let him see how I will treat him '' The defendants in tho cases were :—: — William Andrews, Peter Kellum, Henry Samson, Samuel Trewin, David Todd, and William Williams. Men's Derby cut lnco bootß are quoted as llio correct thing for winter wear. Two now lines *ro advertised by Messrs. R. Hannah and Co., Lambton-quay and Cubaslreel. Another shipment of Now Zoaland Slate coal (screened) will arrivo hero on Sunday by the Taiori. Mcwrg. Roberts and Sims, formorly with "Wilson, Thompson and 00., havo opened « retail hardwaro establishment at Hannah's Building*, Cuba-street, whoro ovcry houiehold requisite in h*rdw»re will bo oil