SHEEP TRUCKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3004, 11 October 1911, Page 16

SHEEP TRUCKS.

THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION. At . the last conference of the . Farmers' Union, a resolution! was passed in regard to the construction of sheep trucks and of sheep and cattle yards at stations. The resolution was forwarded to the Minister of Railways, who has replied to the union stating that all sheep trucks are being fitted with grated floors, but the work has of necessity to be carried put gradually, as ■ the waggons are taken into the shops for repairs. As to the suggestion) that all sheeiD waggons should be provided with end-on door, the Minister says that soime years ago a number of the wapigons in use were provided with end doors, but it was found/ tihat in actual practice the doors were of little service, and considerable difficulty was experienced in loading trucks to t]hoir full capacity, the result being that it took more trucks to convey a given) number of sheep than under the present system. The Wellington and Manawatu Company also had end doors fitted to the doubledeckers, and the company's experience was somewhat similar to that of the department. The end-doors were ultimately removed, and in view of the large expense that would be involved in again providing such appliances and in making the necessary alterations to the stockyards, the Minister regrets that he oannot see his way to comply with the union's request. As to the provision of stockyards at the policy of the

department is to provide standard stockyards wherever the traffic warrants it, and a considerable sum is spent annually in improving yards of the old type. Request*, however, are frequently made for the provision of stockyards at stations where the traffic is inconsiderable, and where the owners of stock are already within- easy distance of stations fitted with up-to-date yards, and in some cases, at the request of settlers themselves, yards of somewhat less than the standard yards have been provided.