Drinking Places For Driven Animals

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1947, Page 4

Drinking Places For Driven Animals

The Whangarei branch of the SPC’A, stock and station agents, and other branches of the community arc to be commended for their effort to have drinking places provided for driven cattle in this area of Northland.

The case they make out for such amenities to prevent cruelty to animals and at the same time avoid the deterioration which takes place in the condition of cattle driven to and from saleyards is reported in another column of today's Advocate. It is a case which should convince the Minister of Public Works that circumstances make possible the provision of drinking places at comparatively small cost.

It is proposed that' when the PWD is carrying out the roading improvement policy outlined some time ago by Mr Semple it should construct at points where bridges are to be built either drinking troughs or ramps which would allow cattle to reach a stream which is bridged and to return again to the roadway by an easy grade.

A survey of the roads leading to and from saleyards at Waipu. Whangarei, Dargavillc and Ohacawai was made by PWD engineers, and it was estimated that a sum of £SOO would suffice to provide a much-needed boon and to remove a blot on the escutcheon of this portion of Northland. It has long been recognised as scandalous that cattle should be

compelled to travel long distances in the heat of a Northland summer without the opportunity to quench thirst, despite the fact that water was within sight but beyond reach at various points.

This is a matter which has occupied the attention of the Whangarei SPCA for a considerable time, and efforts have been made to arouse public attention to the fact that not only were dumb animals being condemned to unnecessary suffering, but that financial loss was being sustained through beasts’ loss of condition while on the roads.

Stock agents and auctioneers arc alive to this, and it is well known that some salcyards are to a large extent tabooed because of the distance animals have to be driven along roads which do not provide drinking places.

It is urged that the carrying out of the PWD loading policy in the area provides a unique opportunity for the combination of humanitarianism and economic investment.

The Main Highways Board has refused to recognise responsibility m the matter, and the SPCA, stock and station agents and others, have decided to approach the Minister of Public Works (Mr Semple), whose practical mind and concern for the welfare of dumb creatures will, we hope, urge him to assist a movement that has everything to commend it. NEWS OF THE DAY TREE PLANTING The Whangarei County Council has granted the Whangarei Forest and Bird Protection Society permission to plant native trees along Puriri Park Road, Maunu. WHANGAREI CHORAL SOCIETY With the advent of the New Year ■ the Choral Society has commenced a • programme of music which promises i plenty of interest and hard work for i its members. Pieces selected for rehearsal include all types of choral music, from grave to gay; .some contain special effects which will test the vocal ability of the choir. The rehearsal of - choruses from the oratorios, which is the ambition of every choir, will be undertaken at an early date, numbers being selected from the more popular oratorios such as Handel's "Messiah.” It is the intention of the choir to relieve the strenuous work of the rehearsals by holding a social evening at intervals. This week Henry Wilson is showing some smart new silk frocks at attractive prices, ranging from 24/6 to 65/-. Other new lines are Celanese bloomers and panties in assorted shades. "Three Knots” pure silk fully fashioned hose are selling rapidly. Buy now while assortments are best. r/wt