Army Complains Re Stock On Roads

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1942, Page 2

Army Complains Re Stock On Roads

Area 3 Staff Officer, Major A. McLauchlan, wrote to the Whangarei County Council at its. meeting yesterday asking that action be taken to abate the nuisance of stock straying on the roads. It was pointed out that recently a despatch rider had an accident, due to a beast on the road, and that large numbers of stock have been seen on the roads'from time to time.

In a subsequent report, military headquarters stated that numerous reports have been received of near accidents to army vehicles owing to the number of stray cattle found on roads both north and south of Whangarei. Under adverse weather conditions, the possibility of accident is great, and it was requested that steps would be taken to impound stray cattle to minimise the risk of accidents from this source,” concluded the letter.

The chairman: The reason for this is that our inspector is in the army, and we have no officer to send out. We cannot send out a typist, and we have no other officer available.

Mr. F. Elliott contended that the straying of stock was a definite menace, and he quoted one settler, whose stock is almost continuously on the road through defective fences. “I have seen 20 head of stock on the road at one time,” said Mr. Elliott. “It seems to me that some settlers are after cheap grazing, and that every action should be taken to stop it.” Mr. J. Garland supported Cr. Elliott’s remarks, as he had had very similar experience.

Mr. R. Feaver said his riding was not affected.

Mr. J. Morrison moved that the army authorities be informed of the difficulties under which the council is working and that it will do its best to have the menace removed. The trouble, Cr. Morrison said, existed in a lesser degree before the war. It must not be forgotten that farmers are also having difficulty in obtaining labour to repair and keep in order their fences. Cr. A. Clarke, seconding, considered the owners of stock should be written to when the ownership is definitely established.

The chairman: It is very difficult to prove ownership. Frequently it has happened that when inspectors have been sent out no cattle could be found on the road. The motion was carried.