SAFE ROUTE FOR STOCK

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1929, Page 11

SAFE ROUTE FOR STOCK

PROBLEM IN NEW PLYMOUTH CONSIDERATION FOR CHILDREN BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION. As the outcome of the recent conference of interested parties on a proposed stock route for New Plymouth, Messrs. J. S. Connett and I. Al. Kidd waited on the Borough Council last Bight. After the deputation had placed the views of the delegates before the council, the Alayor (Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths) said it was, regretted the conference had not been able to agree on a definite route as was hoped. It was at first thought that a restriction of hours for droving would , meet the position. It appeared that the conference was now asking for the continued use of the present route. They seemed to be agreed ns far as Doralto Road. He intimated that the problem would be considered further.

Air. Connett conveyed to the council the general opinions of the conference held in New Plymouth on July 2, and reported in the Daily News. It. was thought, he said, that with the modifications suggested the present route might be used for many years. The continuation of the proposed new route would entail a great deal of expense and, whatever was done, it was considered a great expenditure was uot warranted. He took it that the county council would be asked to find money for work where the suggested route passed through its district. He could gay that the county was not for extra expenditure on a stock route, though it was recognised that it was desirable to secure a route that would suit all concerned. STOCK COMPANY’S VIEWS. Air. Kidd, representing the stock department- of Newton King, Ltd., was sorry the problem of a stock route had been giving the Borough Council such concern. They had not the slightest idea the council was receiving so many complaints, he eaid, and they .only wished they had been informed as employers of drovers who came through the borough. Had they known of the complaints they would have been pleased to rectify matters. It seemed unbelievable to him that drovers would ride into St. Mary’s churchyard or into the grounds of private residences. He recalled that some time ago' the Public Works Department had had trouble on the North Road, but on representations being made to his firm the drovers concerned had been told about the matter and the trouble had ceased. They were out to help the council after the trouble it had gone to in 'endeavouring to find an alternative route. It had been decided to adhere to the existing route, with an extra drover after 8.30 a.m. As it took from two hours to 2J to travel stock from one side of the borough to the other, it would be impossible for drover's not to transgress if restrictions were placed on them so far as time of day was concerned. It was felt a direct route was essential and that it should be open at all hours. It was required for the removal of stock from settlers up and down the coast and to the Waitara freezing works and the Waiwakaiho i saleyards.

Mr. Kidd pointed out that if a roundabout route were adopted it could be readily understood that it would be the reverse of helpful. Fat stock from south of New Plymouth might very easily be diverted to South Taranaki, meaning a loss to the northern district, and the saleyards at Waiwakaiho might have to be closed.

It was gathered that one of the general causes of complaint was the danger to school children from passing stock, continued Mr. Kidd, but stock coming north from Opunake passed a number of schools. There it had been considered the children would be exposed to considerable risk if they met stock in deep cuttings. In the towns, however, there was always a gateway into which the children might retreat.' In this connection he mentioned that it seemed property owners jn the towns were not much concerned about stock, judging by ■the number of gates left open. The . back entrance of the Central School had .no gate at all, giving free access to stock. Then there were vacant town sections without, fences. If the owners of these were encouraged to put up fences, stock could be brought through the borough as quickly as.possible, without hindrance to anyone. With the ap- • pointment of a second drover the position would be met, because he would go ahead and shut the gates in his own Interests. STOCK IN HAMILTON. Referring to the Fitzroy end of the route, he said that it was realised that where five streets met it was difficult to get the cattle to turn the right way. As there was no great danger for children, he thought stock could be taken past the Fitzroy School and round the back road. He pointed out that at Hamilton stock passed over the bridge At all hours of the day and went through the main street, a busy centre. He hoped the council would give his suggestion a trial. They would do everything possible to facilitate matters and would warn the drovers. He felt «!ure there would be no cause for concern.

The Mayor was surprised that Mr. .Kidd had never heard of complaints about stock.

Mr. Kidd: It is perfectly true. They Jhave never been passed on to us. We wish they had been, so that this trouble could have been avoided.

The Mayor suggested that any interested ratepayer who read the newspaper would have had some indication of the complaints. Cr. J. Brown said Mr. Kidd, when referring to schools being passed cn •route from Opunake, should remember that these were attended by country children who were used to stock, whereas town children were not. Sooner or inter some new route would have to be found. At present he did not see any other way out of the difficulty except fay restricting hours for droving. "For the purposes of a stock route, F. G. Carthew, Vogeltown, wrote offering the council a partly-formed, road ■through his property and that of Mr. Lucas. It ran along the back of his whare, he said, and joined a flat road connecting with the Mangorei Road, close to Mr. McAssey’s house. This route was inspected by members of the town-planning committee some lime ago, and was, certainly feasible,

reported the engineer. It was probably a mile and a-half shorter than if the Junction and Mangorei Roads were followed.