ONERAHI'S "LONG ACRE."

Northern Advocate, 23 June 1920, Page 4

ONERAHI'S "LONG ACRE."

(To the Editoi.) Sir, —I ci&ve space to raise again a protest against the action of some, of our local residents, who seem determined, though a small minority, to force their will on a long-suffering community. I refer to the few individuals who, being owners of stock, persistently turn these unimals out on our highways and byways, caning not one jot as to where they wander, or what damage to public footpaths, the creation of which the community is pacing for, is done. Neither does it trouble these disciples of "something for nothing" that their s-ctiondn inflicting their stock on the ganeral public oft n leads to damaged fences, ruined vegetable gardens, etc. My observations of some of these animals leads me to believe that feed in their home paddock, if they possess any, is none too plentiI ful, and consequently, when let loose, the sight of a giteen vegetable patch generally results as above. Only last week a resident, a sick man, who had ciiated his garden only by great sical effort, through slow and painful toil, had the heart-breakißg experience of finding it swept away, by a herd of marauding cows. Apparently the owners of these straying animals have hides thicker than their stock, else they must recognise that people who are ing to improve their surroundings by gardens, hedges, etc., have rights, which they are riding over. The damage to our pathways, especially at this period of the year,,and the filth distributed on them is a matter of concern. Our local body here comes in, and as the guardians of the public property it is up to them to exercise the powers they have and instituto prosecutions of those who persistently insist on breaking the law. As a ratepayer T intend, if this letter produces no effect, to start an agitatipn to enforce the by-law already in existence re prosecution for straying stock. I am thankful for the footpaths laid for our convenience, and intend, with the backing that I feel assured of receiving, to see that that convenience is conserved. The highways ane for the use and comfort of humans, and are not j set aside as free grazing areas for the, stock of a few grasping and selfish individuals. In conclusion I may state that there are a few of our local owners of cattle who, recognising the of others, keep them cattle within their rightful bounds, and others again who turn their stock out in the waste places, where no harm is done. To the latter course no possible objection can be taken, but objection can and will be taken to the destroyers of .public property, who deliberately turn them animals out on our streets.-fl am, etc., PRO BONO PUBLICO. '*'