THE IMPOUNDING QUESTION.

Hastings Standard, Issue 60, 6 July 1896, Page 3

THE IMPOUNDING QUESTION.

[To TIFK Editok.] Bin, —The necessity for a newspajr-c for Hastings has been highy demonstrated of late, and the public huvo to thank the Standabb for publishing such a lengthy report of the proceedings of the Borough Council, particularly on the impounding question. To those who have a desire to deal out fair play to every section of the" community, it is to bo regretted th<vfc the Council thought fit to take no action in the matter. I for oik; trust that Cr Tyerman will bring this matter forward again, and give us a division of the Council on the subject, so that those who desire such an arbitrary bye-law enforced may be known to the public. In ease it should be thought that I am an interested party, I may say that such is not the case, but I shall a /ways protest when I find any part of the community unduly ha.rra.ssed. llastings is, I believe, the only place in the Colony where a person suffers two penalties for one offence. Surely the infliction of a poundage fee is sufficient without compelling the unfortunate to suffer the indignity of appearing before the Bench. The ruling of the Chairman, although supported by the Council's solicitor, appears absurd on the face of if. If these bye-laws are the product of the local corporation, by what law in the constitution of the country are they prevented from repealing them ? The fact of the matter is, the Council will be put to some trouble and expense, but what of that when it is a matter of a crying injustice that is being perpetrated. I would suggest that a public meeting be called for the purpose of strengthening the hands of those Councillors who are disposed to look at this question from an impartial standpoint, and then I have no doubt a means will be found to get rid of this "double-barrelled" bye-law. —I am, &c., F.YIK PnAY. [To the Editor.] Sir, —It would seem that the Council have made up their minds to enforce an obnoxious bye-law with regard to impounding. I think this is a great mistake, and not in accordance with a spirit of right. Besides, I think it is a decided advantage to the town to allow cattle to stray at large. The roads and main streets contain a splendid crop of grass, and after the tfewy nights and mornings which we have had of late, any action that would be the means of reducing the same would receive the grateful thanks of any person living beyond the principal block. The Council evidently do not possess sufficient funds to get rid of this crop, and residents consequently have to plod through grass some six inches deep, with the result that vendors of patent medicines for coughs and colds have profited considerably thereby. Trusting that our ali-wise Council will see lit to amend this byelaw so that an injustice will not be done to those who have the misfortune to get their stock impounded.—l am, &c., Resident.