FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21961, 19 November 1934, Page 6

FIFTY YEARS AGO

FEAR OF STEAMROLLER DANGER TO HORSES The feeling almost of awe with which steam-rollers, now comparatively commonplace objects th&t excite little interest in the streets, were regarded 50 years ago, is shown in a letter published in the New Zealand Herald of November 19, ISB4. The sight was apparently so unusual at that time that horses became frightened, and a move was ou foot to confine the city steam-roller to night work. " My man in charge of a pair of ordinarily quiet horses very narrowly escaped a terrible accident on Thursday last," wrote \ a correspondent, "the horses having taken fright at the steamroller, and become unmanageable. Suppose an accident had really occurred and valuable had been destroyed, or suppose one or both of my horses had been killed, -who would have been responsible for and who would have borne the loss? " I observe in the report of the City Council meeting that Mr. Garratt's very sensible motion ' that the steam-roller be worked at night,' was put and lost. It is not improbable that limbs broken or human life sacrificed may ere long bring this question again under tho notice of the council, and cause them to reverse their late decision. An answer to my question will greatly oblige owners of horses generally in (the neighbourhood of Auckland." A