THE CARRIAGE OF STOCK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXV, Issue XXXV, 18 January 1902, Page 3

THE CARRIAGE OF STOCK.

COMPLAINT BT A LAWRENCE BUTCHER.

At a meeting of the Lawrenoe branch of tbe New Zealand Fanners' Union^hfld in the Borough Council Chambers oorn r Thursday evening, Mr A. Fraser (President) in the ohair, Mr J.Paulin, of the firm of M'Keich and --T&anlio, Bntehws; Lawrence, said he had & " Matter to bring before the meeting whioh he hoped, as a matter seriously affecting himself .v'avnd alao as a matter of importance to the P general public, would receive some attention '■' at' the meeting. He had gone to Barnside ■i] jMrket.tm the previous day to boy a truck of cattle. When the first train came along he had not completed his purchases, but when the 4*o p.m. train from Dunedin arrived be nad bis cattle ready trucked and the truck down at the points ready to be picked up by the eogine. He represented the case to the atationmaater, telling him that the cattle were •rooked in readiness to be taken up by the engine. That was before the train had arrived. The reply he got was tbat he had oo ohanee whatever of getting them on that train. Aod when he asked what was to be tone, he was toU he could either leave them in.the truck for tbe night or un truck them again, bat they could not get to Lawrence until the following night at 9 o'clock. It was an extraordinary state of things that tbe train oould not delay a few minates to take up a man's cattle. He had the cattle ready pt 4 o'clock, and he asked was it a fair thing tbst they should bo left there until the same time the following day, getting into Lawrenoe !»t 9 o'clock that night } There were only 10 tpens of cattle sold when the first train oame ialoog and, as he had already said, he had his ready tracked before the Lawrenoe ijafain «ame along, bat tbey were refused to be liken. The cattle may have been in the trneks two days before coming io the market and it was easy to imagioo what they must •offer from want of feed and water through the delay. Mr Walker said proceedings should be taken against the Government for oruelty to animals. Mr Fahey thought Mr Paulin should lodge bis complaint with the proper authorities, and if he did not get satisfaction then he coold bring it before the Union. He did not tbink it was fair for him kreome herefeef ore he had done so. Mr M. Potts did not think he would get satisfaction. even if. he complained. Mr Jas. Robertson said he could sympathise with Mr Paalio. At the same time it would have been well for him to take notes and lay bis ease before the Union and they wonld duly eonßidec it, and if they eonU bring any influence to bear they would do so. If he sent a letter into the secretary when he had learnt all the particulars and knew what bad been done tbey would give all the assistance possible. He would move: "That Mr Paulin pat all the facts in writing and that the secretary oommunioate with the Traffic Manager asking for an explanation." Mr Fahey seconded. Mr Geo. Smith said it was not so mnoh a , .matter of inconvenience as an act of cruelty. Mr Robertson said Mr Panlin had a just •omplunt, as far as they could see, at the .'/. aanie time they .might be able to give an ex- -. planation tbat would be satisfactory. . ,The motion was carried and Mr Panlin , to act as advised by the meeting