COWS DAMAGE ROAD

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3796, 17 August 1936, Page 4

COWS DAMAGE ROAD

“ EXTRAORDINARY TRAFFIC.” The Waipa County Council, at today’s meeting, discussed the subject of cattle being driven along portions of county roads between the milking sheds and their grazing paddocks. The engineer cited cases where dairy cows were driven four times a day, and they damaged the roads. He considered it extraordinary traffic and therefore it could be forbidden. Cr Reid explained he circumstances of one farmer named, and said it was suggested that as part of the road affected was 14 chains wide a strip could be fenced off along which the cows could be driven. “ Why cannot the farmer drive his cows through his own farm 7 ” asked another councillor. “My roadway is being cut to pieces. The practice should be stopped.” The clerk said the Counties’ Association counsel had declared that the practice was covered by the by-laws re extraordinary traffic. One councillor said damage had been done to motor cars through cows being driven along the roads from one paddock to another. “ If a farmer carts his hay or ensilage instead of driving his cows he will do just as much damage, for his farm vehicle would have narrow tyres,” remarked another councillor;. An amendment of the existing bylaws was suggested. The matter was referred to the chairman, engineer, and clerk for action.