Wandering Stock Should Be Shot Is Suggestion

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1948, Page 3

Wandering Stock Should Be Shot Is Suggestion

Drastic measures for the elimination of the wandering-stock nuisance on West Coast roads were proposed by some members at last night's meeting of the council of the West Coast branch of the Automobile Association, Canterbury, at Greymouth. One member suggested that motorists should carry a rifle and shoot stock they found on the roads, while another added the variation that the shooting might be done by traffic officers.

The council's ultimate decision, however, was less drastic. It was merely decided again to draw the attention of the Transport Department to the danger, with particular reference to the recent accident at Taramakau.

Recent Accident

The subject was introduced by the chairman (Mr G. R. Harker), who referred to the recent accident at Taramakau, which, he said, had been caused by wandering stock. The position, he added, was fairly bad right through to Arahura, but it was particularly bad from the Taramakau bridge to the junction, and something would have to be done about it. It was realised that it was difficult to catch the culprits, and, personally, he did not know who had to take the matter up. “Is not some of the trouble the shortage of wire for fences?” asked Mr E. McDonnell. Mr Harker: Yes, but the cattle still have to be kept off the roads. The secretary (Mr W. F. Harley) pointed out that between Matai and Ahaura the paddocks were mostly fenced, but there had been three nasty accidents on the section in the last few months. “There is only one way — a man wants to take a rifle and shoot them,” he added. Mr D. Friedlander (Hokitika) said the trouble was that the owners would not claim cattle found wandering.

No Pound

Mr H. G. Stiles said he did not think it was hard to find the owners and quoted a case he had noted, on the Greymouth-Wastport coastal road where cattle were frequently on the road, apparently outside the homestead where they were owned. He suggested that an improvement could be effected if some stock could be driven into the pound. The secretary: Where is it? There is not one today between here and Hokitika. Mr W. Greenhill pointed out that the Grey County Council and the inspector of police were conferring on the matter.

“Transport officers should be authorised to shoot the cattle on sight,” commented Mr E. AV. Green. Mr B. W. Caulton: I don’t think you could do that. “They would not shoot very many,” •said Mr G. Sutherland. “They would have too big a job burying them — and they would have to be buried.” Mr M. J. Fogarty said he thought the only way to get at the difficulty was to write to the Transport Department drawing attention to the I‘ecent accident at Taramakau. It was decided to give effect to Mr Fogarty’s suggestion. Efficiency of School Patrol On the suggestion of the chairman, it was decided to forward a letter to the Grey Main School congratulating it on the efficiency of the school traffic patrol. The motion was seconded by Mr Caulton, who said that 12 months ago he had had the doubtful privilege of complaining regarding the manner in which the patrol was operating, but over the past 12 months it had operated excellently. . Mr Friedlander asked whether all schools were given instruction in road safety and added that at the Hokitika High School there did not appear to be much control. It was pointed out that road safety lectures had been given in all schools and it was usual for posters to be displayed.