IMPOUNDING STOCK

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 11

IMPOUNDING STOCK

WRONG READING OF THE ACT. MOTORISTS’ COMPLAINT. The menace to motorists of wandering stock upon main roads in Taranaki was the subject of a letter from Mr. E. J. Judd to the Taranaki executive of the Automobile Association on Wednesday night. “In reference to the practice of certain local bodies licensing stock to graze on the streets of their townships,” stated the letter, “although permission to graze at night has now been withdrawn, very little, in any, steps are taken to compel owners to keep their stock off the roads at night." Mr. Judd had visited one of the towns (Manaia) on a Sunday night and at 9.30 p.m. found wandering stock on every street visited, and in the main street (which is a main highway) found several herds of cows lying, down, some within a few feet of the tarred road. Mr. Judd recommended that the Moto'?* Union be asked to get into touch with the Highway Board, asking them to stop this practice by local bodies. Mr. R. Day said the misundersanding was due to an imperfect reading of the regulations. The Act stated that the pound-keeper could not be compelled to open the pound between sunset and sunrise. Nevertheless there was nothing to prevent the pound-keeper, ranger or any responsible official, from impounding cattle on his own initiative. In fact anyone at all, finding wandering stock, could hold it for 16 hours. It was a pity that two responsible men had made this mis-statement in South Taranaki, and he hoped the papers would give publicity to the correct ruling. It was humorous to read the misstatements. The speakers had simply not finished reading the Act.