The Hawera Star. MONDAY, JULY 21, 1924. WANDERING STOCK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 July 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

MONDAY, JULY 21, 1924. WANDERING STOCK.

Delivered every evening Dy 6 o'clock id Hawera, Mausiia, N^rmauby. Okaiawa, Eltbam, Mangat-fki, Kaponga, Awatuna, Opunake, Otakeuc Manutahi, Alton, Rurleyville, Paiete, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Obanga,, Mereraere. Fraser Road. and

The decision of the Kaponga Town Board at its meeting last week in the matter of dealing with wandering stock will, it is hoped, have the desired effect and belli to remove a menace to which we have frequently found it necessary to draw attention. Other local bodies have from time to time discussed the question, and there are periods when one hears very little complaint from those who use the roads. One can do no more than appeal to the owners of stock to keep them off the roads because of the serious menace to traffic of wandering stock. Unfortunately, the number of wandering animals appears to be greater in the winter months, when the nights are much darker than in the summer time, and when stormy weather makes it more difficult for motorists to> see them. No doubt the shortage of grass in the paddocks encourages owners who do not think of the dangers to motorists to let their stock out to graze on the roadsides, but it is a. serious position and the rights of the community should he placed before any other consideration, and we are glad to see that local body members are showing a, keener interest in the mattr. If existing methods of protecting the roads are inadequate they should he revised, and if necessary the by-laws should be made stricter. The Kaponga Town Board has made its decision, and it may well be taken as a lead by other bodies who are experiencing similar trouble in keeping the roads clear of wtand,bring) stack. We notice, 'that the Normanby Town Board at its meeting last week also indicated that .it intends to make the way of offenders against its by-laws harder, and it is encouraging to' find these signs of determination by local bodies to deal mor effectively with the menace. In other parts of the Dominion similar efforts are being made, and the Magistrates are giving warnings which it will pay owners of stock to remember. Mr. Orr Walker, S.M., in Wellington said a- few days ago when dealing with a number of charges against owners of stock wandering in the suburbs; “] regret to see that there are a great number of cases to-day. They seem to he increasing, and if that is the case the fines will have to increase as well.’' Ho inflicted fines ranging from ten shillings to £2 5s and costs. It is hoped that offenders in this district will take warning and realise the serious dangers to life and limb constituted by stock wandering on the highways over which traffic passes so frequently during both day and night. It is almost criminal for owners of stock to let them wander and be a menace to the people using the roads, and if they persist in refusing to recognise their responsibilities it will be necessary to tighten up the laws anc7 increase the penalties until they are forced to the menace and to .recognise the need for the highways being kept free from such dangers.