STOCK AT ADDINGTON.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1275, 14 March 1918, Page 3

STOCK AT ADDINGTON.

FAULTY SYSTEM OF REMOVAL. !

INADEQUATE TRUCKING FACILITIES.

Complaints have been general lately j at the Addington saleyards that the' railway facilities for the removal of ; stock are open to considerable im-, provement, but the culmination of the ; troubles of those responsible for the sending away of sheep aud cattle re- ] suited yesterday. From inquiry amongst stock agents it would appear that no trucks Avere available until C p.m., which necessitated the bulk of the ; stock being retained overnight in the yards. As provision for food and > water is largely lacking at the yards, the delay is a serious matter. In conversation with a Sun representative, a well-known stock agent stated that yesterday's trouble was due to the fact that the rolling stock was being j utilised for the conveyance of stock to I the Ashburton Agricultural and Pas-1 toral show, and the Culverden Ewe Fair, which are being held to-day. The Addington market, however, was the main sale in the Dominion, and it was a ridiculous position when such comparatively small country fixtures were thus given first preference by the Pailway Department. The position was accentuated by the fact that the Riecarton borough's by-laws prohibited the driving of stock ou the roads until after 4 p.m., so that there was no chance to remove the stock, which in most cases had been in the pens since the previous day. Yesterday's trouble, however, only served to illustrate the manner in which the Railway Depart-] meut neglected requirements of the metropolitan sale. On most clays there was a shortage of trucking engines, which caused a continual congestion of stock, and trouble and expense to agents, who were in consequence compelled to employ their men over long ' hours. The departmental methods of economy would be ludicrous, if they wero not tragical, for they were hampering the main industry of the Dominion. With reference to the shortage of shunting engines, the Saleyards Company could possibly secure a draught horse or so which could haul the trucks on to the lines, where the railway people could easily deal with them. It was not only the expense and inconvenience to farmers and stock agents, which were caused by the department's neglect, but it was obvious from the | humanitarian point of view that the utmost should be done to convey stock i as soon.as possible away from a place, where food and even water, in most cases, were lacking-