WANDERING STOCK MENACE

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1930, Page 15

WANDERING STOCK MENACE

EGMONT COUNTY DISCUSSION. The secretary of the South Taranaki Automobile Association forwarded to the Egmont County Council yesterday copies of two reports presented by the president at the last meeting of the committee. One dealt with the practice of cyclists riding without lighte and the other with wandering stock. Mr. Shepherd said he had heard of five cases of minor accidents through wandering stock during the last month in their own area. He had said at the last meeting that unless the roads were kept -clear he would move that proflecutions be instituted in all cases, He had travelled over 1000 miles recently and recognised that the matter was a serious one. Mr. Collins agreed, but he did not know ho’w the trouble could be remedied. Mr. Shepherd said the ranger should be given no option but should be instructed to prosecute in all cases of wandering etock at night. There was not the same danger in the daytime, and in any case the ranger then had the opportunity of impounding stock. Mr. Tosland asked what guarantee they had that a gate might not be opened and so allow stock to w’ander. ‘ Mr. Collins asked what action the Local Bodies’ Association was taking. In view of what had recently taken place he could not support a motion favouring prosecution in all cases as it was too°drastic. He was- prepared to admit that there had been a number of minor accidents, but the position in the Egmont county was not as bad as in some other districts. In any case, to prosecute in all cases would give too much power to the ranger, as it might happen that a ratepayer who had one animal on the road through accident would suffer. • Mr. Young asked whether the council would be liable in the event of damage and the owner of the stock not being found. The chairman: No. The council did not allow stock on the roads, said Mr. Green. Its duty was to try to keep the roads clear without prosecuting anyone. They were told that they were not doing their duty but when the ranger prosecuted they were told that they were persecuting people. He in particular had been told so, but he pointed out that the matter had never been placed in the hands of the chairman. The council had appointed a ranger but had made it a condition that before he instituted a prosecution the authority of the engineer must be obtained. That had not been made clear to ratepayers, many of whom thought the matter was in the hands of the chairman. Revertincr to the motion, Mr. Green pointed out that the proposal would bo difficult to enforce as it would mean putting on a permanent inspector and paying 5 him for the work. They could not expect the ranger as at present appointed to go out at all hours of the night inspecting the roads. When the stock w-ae discovered it would be difficult to find the owner. The present ranger received droving fees plus half the fines, but to carry out the suggestion it would be necessary to cancel that arrangement and appoint a full-time inspector. He did not think the time was ripe for that, though ho admitted that stock was allowed to wander at night. Iu the daytime the roads were clear. After a little further discussion it was- resolved to inform the association that the council was making every effort tp keep the roads clear and to enforce the traffic regulations.