DRIVING OF STOCK

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 113, 9 April 1930, Page 6

DRIVING OF STOCK

WITHIN THE BOROUGH. DEPUTATION TO COUNCIL. Presenting their case against. the contemplated prohibition of the driving of stock within the borough after 7 a.m., a deputation from the Manawatu and West Coast Live Stock Auctioneers’ Association waited upon the Palmerston North Borough Council, on Monday, with the view to securing relaxation of the proposed restriction. Cr. Fitzherbert introduced the deputation. The Mayor stated that it would be recollected that the council had recommended the framing of a by-law prohibiting the driving of stock after 7 a.m. in the borough. The stock auctioneers had written asking that the hour be raised to 9 a.m. Speaking for the deputation, Mr P. L. Sim, secretary of the association, stated that the proposed regulation would be a very serious _ handicap, and would affect very extensively the abattoir returns. It would probably prohibit the handling of stock during the autumn nnd winter months. The cattle tisunlly driven through the streets of Palmerston North were tame in nature and, should the occasion arise, children would easily obtain a sanctuary in someone’s garden. He had never heard of children being menaced from cattle driven through the streets. The Mayor stated that a number were very seriously menaced on a re-, cent occasion. They were actually in the way of the cattle, get out of the way more easily than adults. The Mayor: But not so easily aB cattle. Mr Sim maintained that a disability would be placed on stock dealers at a time when they required every support. Mr Rogerson, manager of the Longburn freezing works, stated that it was almost impossible to drive stock through the town before 7 a.m. _ The deputation, raised the point of responsibility for the removal of stock arriving at the station. Mr J. Carter stated that prime cattle could not be left in the trucking yards for hours at a time. It was pointed out that there were 1 no yards now available for paddocking near the Fitzherbert bridge to hold stock during prohibited hours, and that at the approaching show valuable stock would be arriving- at all times. Stock were held up on occasions through lack of trucks. Cr. Fitzherbert suggested that the roads should not be used between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. Mr Carter intimated that this would, be reasonable and probably an acceptable proposition-. Cr. Hodgens stated that on a recent occasion two women and some children had to be warned of the approach of a dangerous bull which was evidently not under proper control. He suggested that two attendants should be in charge of single bulls. The Mayor suggested that the regulation might apply to all except show cattle. The deputation had made out a good case, but human life had to be safeguarded. Cr. Tremaine moved that the proposed restriction be altered to provide that no single bull be driven through the borough after 8.30 a.m. Cr. Mansford asked how it was possible for show beasts to be led and not others. The abattoir manager (Mr Spilman) commented that some were absolutely unbroken. Cr. Mansford: Then they are a menace. Cr McLeod stated that good drovers did not handle bulls singly on the road. He suggested that all bulls entering the borough should be driven with other stock. Cr. Fitzherbert moved an amendment that no single bull should be driven through the borough after 8 a.m. Cr. Hodgens stated that two years ago a bull had jumped over his four foot front gate and a neighbour’s fence., and it had been accompanied by other stock. The amendment prohibiting the driving of single bulls through the borough after 8 a.m., excluding show stock, was carried. •