TRANSPORT OF STOCK.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19498, 5 June 1925, Page 4

TRANSPORT OF STOCK.

FARMERS’ COMPLAINTS. DEPUTATION TO TRAFFIC MANAGER. Yesterday forenoon a deputation consisting of Messrs J. Crawford Anderson, A. Renton, A. Bell, and Peter Anderson, representing the stock owners of the CTutha and other districts, waited on Mr H. Green, relieving traffic manger of railways, to ask for a speeding up of the transport of stock. Messrs A. C. Leary, retiring president of tho Otago Farmers’ Union, and Stuart P. Cameron, secretary of tho union, joined tho deputation later to discuss -a kindred matter with Mr Green. Mr Crawford Anderson introduced the deputation, and said that these gentlemen were big stock breeders and handlers of stock. Mr Peter Anderson was handling over 1000 head ot cattle each year. Their trouble was that delays took place in regard to transport, particularly in taking cattle from the sale- at Burnside. Often the stock did not arrive till 24 hours after the sale. Cattle kept in a truck for 24 hours would lose more than they would regain in condition in a couple of months, tfheep and lambs lost from 2s to 3s a head in value, so it was a very seriaus matter for farmers. A large and influential meeting of Clutha settlers had appointed those gentlemen to represent them. Mr Kenton said that the cattle for Burnside sales were a day in the truck, a day at the sale, and another day in the truck getting home again. After that it took about two months to got them back into condition. At one time the department used to load at Stirling in tho morning, and if the animals wore not sold they could be back that night. Mr Green said the objection to that was the shunting involved at Stirling both going and coming. Other people were agitating for speeding up of the service. They could not, tell him that, it took 24 hours in the trucks between Stirling and Burnside. Mr Renton said it, took 24 hours from the paddock. Sometimes it was after midnight before the stock - was unloaded at Burnside. Mr P. Anderson said ho thought, there were some things that could ho rectified. A week ago ho was sending in cattle to the show, but one of the bullocks was so bruised it could not bo shown. It would be a great convenience if they knew what 1 ime the train was to leave, and then they would not have to have the stock so long in the trucks. A fortnight ago he got cattle back from Burnside after dark on Thursday evening. They had been without drink since Monday, and went straight, for the river with tho result that two were drowned. Mr Crawford' Anderson said cattle breeders wore just wavering whether they would not drive tho cattle rather than rail them. Motor lorries were competing strongly against the railway in thus traffic in the North Island. Mr Green asked for specific dates and facta so that he might make inquiry. He pointed out that the time the slock was in tho yards was not the department's responsibility. He was satisfied that no cattle were longer than five hours in trucks between Burnside and Stirling. 'Die traffic department had “R.R.” trains, which would run if required if the stock was there for them to pick up. Mr P. Anderson said tho stock wa.s left too long at Burnside before it was taken away. Mr Green said if there were delnv out there it would have to be remedied and would bo remedied. Tho maximum delay should not be more than ono hour. He assured Iho deputation that the position would ho investigated, especially as to loading and unloading and tho supply of wagons at, Burnside. Air Leary said they had boon givon to understand that when tho train started to run from Miller’s Flat there wa.s a possibility that, it would be passing through Evans Flat very early in tho morning. That would lie ' very awkward for those who wished to truck stock at Evans Flat. A considerable quantity of sheep came from Evans Flat. Mr Green said there were two proposals for working the -traffic up there, to work it with a station service at. Miller’s Flat or to work it from Lawrence as they did now. It. had not been derided what arrangement would be made. They would not need to leave Miller's Flat so early as to inconvenience tho farmer'. Mr Lonry asked if it wore absolutely necessary to give 48 hours’ notice in ordering a sheep truck. Mr Green said that 24 hours’ notice was quite sufficient. Mr Bell said he had had to order trucks on Saturday for Tuesday. Air Green said that was extraordinary traffic. Ho explained that it was not tho stationmaster but the transport officer that controlled the supply of trucks. There should bo no difference between supplying individual farmers and supplying companies. Air 801 l asked if it would not be possible to truck tho stock in to Burnside on tho Wednesday. Air Green explained that on tho mixed train Air Bell referred to (here was agitation for speeding up. Mr Bell’s proposal would involve shunting at halt a dozen intermediate stations. Mr Leary thanked Mr Green for his courteous hearing, and withdrew with Mr Cameron. Mr Green mentioned that the department had under consideration a dailv through “express’’ goods service from Christchurch to Invercargill and from Invercargill to Christchurch. Members of tho deputation agreed that this would bo a great advantage, Mr Crawford Anderson thanked Mr Green for his courteous hearing and very lucid answers. Ho assured Mr Green thowere in sympathy with the department, and did not want to see it injured )ry competition.