PROTECTING STOCK FROM INJURY BY CARS

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7242, 13 June 1930, Page 9

PROTECTING STOCK FROM INJURY BY CARS

D.F.U. Discussion UNION NOT PARTY TO- TAKE ACTION ' At the last meeting of the Manawatu branch of the Dairy Banners’ Union, some protest was voiced at a recent decision of Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., in a »ollision ease between a motorist and a drover who was .shepherding a small mob of slioep along Green road, Awahuri. The drover concerned, Air. J. G. Collins, waited upon tho branch and liiid certain' facts of the case before the members, who Avero ,of the opinion that stock on the roads should be protected from injury by .motorists. It was finally, decided .to obtain a copy of' tho county by-laws bn tho matter, and this Avas tabled at yesterday’s meeting. The only regulation bearing on the ease under rcvicAv read: "Tho driver of any motor car'on any road shall, Avhen meeting or overtaking any horses, cattle, sheep or pigs being driven along a road, sloav down tho motor and'take all reasonable care to avoid any injury to such animals.”

. "I don’t know Avhat avo can do about this matter, but I know that stock must bo protected. When cars can run down tho country’s assets things are coming to a pretty pass,” said Mr. Neil Campbell, Avho suggested that the Kairanga County Council should be asked for an interpretation. Other members Avero of tuc opirn..--that a legal opinion should bo obtained. Mr. Campbell asked Avhat constituted "proper guidance”; any farmer knew that no man could have a dumb animal under complete control. Air. M. Richardson proposed that the matter should be referred to a laAvycr for a ruling. Air. J. D. Balmer, in seconding this, gave instances of collisions Avhich ho alleged had been due to the carelessness of motorists in driving through stock. “I think this is the result of, our present-day traffic and our by-laAvs are out of date. To-day nobody is safe on the roads. The other day I suav three sheep killed, and the man got out, pairt and drove on,” said Air. B. Legg, avlig was of tho opinion that the branch should save its lawyer’s fees and go to the Transport Board, Avhich. avus now the controlling body. "These by-laws have been approvea by all tlie counties and approved by the Alinister, and yet Air. Stout gets on the bench and throws them all out,” said Air. J. Boyce. Air. A. Balmer: The Alagistralc ruled that the drover should have kept his stock on the left-hand side of the road.

Another member expressed tho opin ion that the Magistrate had considered that Mr. Collins had been "cussed,” and that he had adopted a pig-headed attitude in refusing to move his stock. Mr.. C. D. Braser (secretary) askeci what course of action the branch could take if a legal opinion Avere received. Other suggestions Avere that th.e Department of Agriculture should be requested to take up the matter and that tho Alinister of Transport should be Approached to amend the. by-laws. Air. A. Balmer was of the opinion that in the present ease the Avcight ot evidence Avas against them, and he thought that they were helpless. Air. J. Boyce could not see lioay the by-law, as it at present existed, could bo made any more definite. Air. .Campboll finally moved an amendment that a copy of tlie county council by-laAvs should be forwarded lo Air. Collins for his information. He thought that Air. Collins Avas the person to take action in this ease and that tho branch could not do a great deal. Air. Richardson: This affects Air. Collins, of course, but it also affects everybody. Air. Campbell: We know it docs, but we can ’t do a great deal. Air. Boyce: I think ayc have already done a good deal, Air. Chairman. Ah. Stout reads the papers the same as we do. Air. Campbell’s amendment was then put to the meeting and carried.