DANGEROUS RIDING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 261, 5 February 1881, Page 2

DANGEROUS RIDING.

To the Editor. Sib, —When our police can spare a little time from the important duty of running in “drunks” they might profitably turn their eyes in the direction of the Beach road—a locality where a bobby is an unknown apparition. If they will do so they will perceive, at various hours of the day, sundry lads and young men, armed with stock-whips, driving at full speed cattle and horses before them, often beating the animals cruelly, and always hunting the unfortunate beasts to such a degree that they will rush hither and thither bewildered, or else get infuriated, to the imminent danger of the passers-by. Children are constantly to be found on this road, and it is really marvellous how serious accidents have hitherto been avoided. Certainly it has not been from any want of exertion on their part that some of these reckless larrikins have not qualified themselves to be put on their trial for manslaughter. Having driven the beasts under their charge to their destination, the larrikins are apt to race home at full speed, sometimes varying the spree by riding doublebacked, shouting and yelling, and leaving the foot-passengers to look after themselves. The newly-formed footpath, they seem to consider, was made for their special behoof. More than once have I escaped being run over by the skin of my teeth. If the police will only make an example of one or two of these young gentlemen, I am sure every dweller along the Beach road and in Trevorton will thank them cordially —I am, Ac. A Resident.