Droving By-Law Disputed In Court

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1939, Page 3

Droving By-Law Disputed In Court

Whether one drover with dogs had adequate control over cattle or sheep when traversing the borough, or whether two drovers were necessary were questions on which lengthy evidence was given in the Whangarei Court to-day. For Ross Sloane, Mr D. L. Ross pleaded not guilty to a charge brought by the borough inspector, Mr J. H. Ashton (Mr J. F. S. Briggs) of driving cattle without them'being in the custody of at least two drivers.

* Mr Ross indicated that the case was being defended on the ground that the by-law in demanding two drivers was unreasonable.

In evidence the inspector said that Sloane was driving a mob of 98 sheep. Many modern houses did not have fences, owners depending on stock drovers to keep out cattle or sheep.

Windows had been broken by cattle and ■ sheep, as had happened recently. Under Proper Control

Replying to Mr Ross, the inspector said Sloane had dogs, and the sheep were under proper control.

There was no by-law dealing with the definition of route in operation at present. According to the by-law, two drovers were necessary for two sheep. Only one sheep was needed to start trouble, and there might be inconvenience and danger to safety. There were many good leading dogs in the district and Sloane had one of the best he had seen, said Angus Hugh Ferguson.

Sheep would follow a dog, but if he were driving down Bank Street he would prefer to have a man in front. Sheep Through Window

He had only once driven with a man in front and that was 30 years ago, Ferguson told Mr Ross.

On that occasion he had been placed in front of a mob of sheep, one of which had 'jumped through a window. Sheep worked better* for dogs than for a man.

“He is a difficult witness,” said Mr Briggs when the magistrate (Mr Ferner) interrupted him during his reexamination of Ferguson. “No, he’s a very good witness,” commented Mr Ross.

To the magistrate, Ferguson said it was more necessary with cattle than with sheep to have a leading drover. (Proceeding)