CARRIAGE OF STOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18324, 14 February 1923, Page 11

CARRIAGE OF STOCK.

THE METHODS OF HANDLING. PABMERS URGE IMPROVEMENT. The serious effects of the bruising of! fat stock in transit to the markets and freezing works were emphasised in a letter received last evening by the Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union from W. i and R. Fletcher, Ltd. The letter gave statistics showing that the damage caused in the Auckland district was much greater than in other localities, ' both in respect to cattle carried by rail and driven on the roads. Remedies suggested included de- i horning, greater supervision In loading ; and carrying cattle on the railway, and the provision of better trucks. It was added that stock driven by road from Wai- ; kato had to travel 90 miles over the worst ■■ roads in the Dominion. Some people thought New Zealand would have to go out of the beef business altogether, but this need not be the case if attention was paid to the points mentioned. The matter j was of immense importance to the Auckland Province. _ v In a general discussion »on the subject | Mr. J. Trewin said that in his experience , dehorning was not the great cause'of the j bruising of cattle. His cattle were all de- ] horned, and still some of them suffered from bruising.' The manner in which the J trucks, and loading yards were constructed ; had much to do with the injuries sustained I by the cattle. # j It was decided to appoint a committee , to confer with the freezing companies and others interested with the object of effecting improvements in the system of handling fat stock. _ v . \ v