"AN ARBITRARY BY-LAW."

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17263, 2 September 1916, Page 3

"AN ARBITRARY BY-LAW."

• , .1 - • DRIVING STOCK AT RICCARTON. PROTEST FROAI ASHBURTON. At the meeting of the . Ashburton' County Council yesterday a letter was reac! from tho Akaroa County Council directing attention to tlie Riccarton Borough Council by-laws with respect to the driving of > stock through the borough. It was pointed out that •on an average about 15,000 sheep and 500 head of cattle passed through the Addington yardß each week and itwas urged that tlie time allowedfor driving stock was not sufficient for tlio travelling' of this number, especially during tho winter months. The probable solution was to compel the shifting of tho yards, but the council considered that from tho point of view of farmers no site as suitable as tile present could be found and that if the yards were removed to Sockburn it was certain that another market would be started -to meet tho requirements of the more northern part of Canterbury. It was suggested that each county council in North Canterbury should protest against the enforcement of the by-law. Air W. T. Lill moved that the council considered that the Riccarton Borough Council’s by-law regarding the driving of stock to the Addington salej'ards wa3 a most arbitrary bylaw. If the yards were shifted to Sockburn yards would be established at Rangiora and the Ashburton farmers wc/ald have no central market, which would be a great disadvantage. The motion was seconded bv Air T. Doherty,/ who said he cordially endorsed the views expressed by Mr .Lill. Air A. Drummond said that it would b? a good thing if the Addington yards were shifted to Sockburn. Mr G. Murdoch expressed similar views. Mr O. Reid said it would be a gross injustice to compel the shifting of tho yards. The Riccarton Borough Council’s by-law was most arbitrary. * , . The motion was carried and the council decided to rapport the views of the .Akaroa County Council.