A DOG NUISANCE. (To the Editor.)

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 295, 25 September 1873, Page 6

A DOG NUIS ANCE. (To the Editor.)

Sic, — The prolific increase of population does not appear to be confined |n this colony to the featherless bipeds of the human race, but extends to the quadrupeds of the canine family, to judge by the fabulous number of yelping dogs belonging to some of the farmers on the road to the Dunstan. These have become a regular publinuisance, and in some cases are actually dangerous to passers-by on horseback, as well as on foot. As soon as you descend the first hill from the Beaumont Ferry you are greeted, if on horseback, by the ferocious attack of a black dog, apparently having a great antipathy to horses' heels. About 3QO chains further on, you have to meet the attack of no less than six pr- seven dogs, which without the slightest compunction will attack both horse and man, So ferocious is this pack of half-bred hounds, that if on foot it takes you some time to battle your way through the mob with a big stick j if on horseback, you stand a good chance of being unseated, and getting into rather disagreeable contact with the stones in the creek. All the way as far as Rae*s Junction Hotel it is the same thing — dogs, dogs, and nothing but dogs. lam of opinion that if some of the settlers were to start exporting doga to some clime less blessed with so numerous a canine population, they would confer a boon both on the district and the country generally. At night they start their unmusical chorus, transporting you from the happy land of dreams into one of un pleasant realities, remindingi nding you of the scraping of various instruments in a broken-down orchestra when they are tuning up. Tnthe day time men arid horses, nay, even calves, are not safe from the attacks of these half-starved specimens of the canine race. Might not some " means be found to compel people not to keep more dogs than their establishment can support, without relying upon thej>oor. nourishment these yelping skeletons between Beaumont and Rae's Junction , Hotel can find from the bites they so lavishly give to foot-passengers, horsemen, and cattle ? —I am, &c v A Passer-by.