DRIVING STOCK THROUGH THE TOWN.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 107, 15 May 1901, Page 3

DRIVING STOCK THROUGH THE TOWN.

LETTERS TO THE BOROUGH COUNCIL. At tlie Borough Council meeting last night several letters were read in reference to the driving of stock through the town. Mr A. H. Wallis, Turehau station, wrote:—“T would respectfully ask if the man who works on the bridge loading to the Kaiti at a very early hour in the

morning, could not have instructions to stop sweeping and move to one side of the bridge when sheep or cattle are crossing. My drovers are constantly complaining to me of this man checking the stock when crossing, which makes them late getting through the town.” The following letter was received from Sergeant Siddells : —“Complaints have been made to me, and letters appear in the public press about persons driving mobs of loose horses through the streets. It appears to me that those who do so do

not commit an offence provided that permission to do so is ODtained from the Town Clerk. The practice is a dangerous one 'unless great care is taken, as many yoiyig children are constantly on the streets. If one was run over a great outcry would ensue, and probably the police would be blamed. I fail to see how the evil can be remedied, as it is necessary that the stablekeepers should drive their horses to paddocks. My object in drawing attention to this is with a view that your Council may see its way to impose certain conditions, whereby greater safety would be obtained.”

Mr F. J. dhelton wrote as follows: Gentlemen, —On applying to-day for a

permit for a country owner to drive cattle through the Borough, which permit was granted, tlie Town Clerk stated that after ;o-dav no permit would bo granted to Irive cattle through the Borough between lie hours of 8 a.m. and 6 pan.

Before your Council decides on any such step, I cannot help thinking that it should consider the’position a little. No one would needlessly drive cattle through the town during a crowded part of the day if it could be avoided, because it is not to the benefit of the cattle, nor does any country person desire to cause any annoyance to town people, but to suggest any such hard and fast line appears not to bo working in the interests of the townspeople.

It must bo remembered that the town people live altogether on the exertions of the country, and anything which the Borough may do to retard the interests of the country must necessarily retard the interests of the traders in the town.

Ail sheep and cattle driven from the Coast to either butcheries, freezing works, or inland properties must come through the Borough and vice versa, and I would respectfully urge this to be considered before any such decision is arrived at as was suggested by the Town Clerk as quoted above.—l am, etc.,

F. J. Shelton. The Mayor said it was impossible to lave stock driven to a given hour in the

Considerable discussion ensued on the subject. The general opinion of Councillors was that in regard to cattle and sheep it was not desirable to interfere, but it was agreed that warning should bo given to stable-keepers and those driving looso horses that care must be exercised.