SHEEP TO RAILHEAD

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19248, 13 February 1937, Page 15

SHEEP TO RAILHEAD

ENOOUBAOING LORRIES HIGHER RATES PROPOSED FARMERS' UNION PROTEST The movement of sheep from the Gisborne district to the railhead at Tanefttua has become more popular this .season, and farmers are encouraging it, but an increase in charges is proposed by the Poverty Bay and East Coast Carriers' Association.* This increase is objected to by the Poverty Bay provincial executive of the Farmers' Union.

A schedule of proposed charges for the whole of tho Gisborne and Coastal districts has been submitted io the union. At its meeting Inst month the executive decided to ask the Carriers' Association to advertise its proposed schedule as available for inspection, and a letter read at this afternoon's. meeting stated that the association would agree to this, the advertisement to be inserted at least 1U days before the meeting of the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority.

Mr. D. Williams, chairman of the Waiapu County Council, to whom tho schedule had' been submitted, wrote stating that a number of anomalies and inconsistencies existed in the charges for his district, and suggesting that the schedule should be based on a per ton mile rate, taking into consideration tho number of creek or river crossings and gates, and lengths of clay roads, different roads to be the subject of private negotiation. —Ifc was decided to send the letter to the No. 1 Transport Licensing Authority. In reply to a question, the secretary. Mr. C. Blackburn, stated that the proposed rates for sheep from Gisborne to the railhead at Taneatua .were 2s 6d a head for most types. Mr. J. E. Brosnahan maintained that this rate was too high. Two-.tooth wethers off the shears at 2s 6d a head would cost £2O for each truck load, and this was too much. He had just sent some through at 2s a head, and if the rate were increased the sheep would have to go back to the road. The chairman of the meeting, Mr. F. S- Bo wen, said thatT the transport of sheep by lorries should be encouraged, but flockowners could not expect to take advantage of the lorries if the rates were to be too high. It was agreed to give evidence before tho Transport Authority ou the matter if necessary.