STOCK ON RAILROAD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 212, 7 September 1945, Page 4

STOCK ON RAILROAD

FURTHER COMPLAINT TO RANGITIKEI COUNTY TRAINS DELAYED RECENTLY The surface type of cattle stop was in general use in New Zealand, and also on many railroad systems overseas, stated the district engineer of railways, Mr. J. Dow (Wanganui), in a letter to the Rangitikei County Council. He again referred to the menace of stock wandering on railway lines. The letter, received at the council’s meeting yesterday, added that in the event of a train striking an animal or a road vehicle, the risk of serious accident was much less with the surface type of cattle stop than the pit type. “Straying animals will occasionaly get through them, particularly if they are being bustled or dogged; but experience has shown that animals urtder control seldom attempt to cross them,” Mr. Dow added. Considerable trouble was still being experienced because of siock trespassing on the railway line near Wangaehu. Trouble had occurred also at Turakina and in some cases recently trains had been delayed. “In the circumstances I shall be pleased if your ranger will take early steps to deal with the nuisane,” Mr. Dow stated. The chairman, Cr. K. W. Dalrymple, commented that a schedule supplied by Mr. Dow showed that on one occasion stock jumped a cattle stop at Ratana. In another case sheep wandered on to the track because of a faulty fence. “Who is responsible for that fence?” asked Cr. A. S. Coleman. The chairman replied that the county was not responsible for faulty fences, but the onus was on the council to keep wandering stock off county roads. Correspondence on the subject was received.