WANDERING STOCK ON ROADS

Chronicle (Levin), 18 June 1947, Page 7

WANDERING STOCK ON ROADS

-press Association

By Telegraph-

VV JiiijLiilN G'i UJN , June 11. Important decisions affeeting all road users, were reached at ■ a eonference held in Wellington under the ehairman ship of the Commissioner of Transport, xVlr. Laurenson. , The eonference discussed the danger caused to road traffie by led horses and wandering stock. The Transport Department, Counties Association, Municipal Association, and Northland South Island.Motor .Unions were represented. In addition there were present delegrates from Federated Farmers, New Zealand Racing Owners ' and Breeders.' Association, Main High ways Board, Department qf Agriculture and Pplice Department. Regarding led horses the eonference. decided that where a person was riding a horse and leading another, the ridden horse should be between the led horse and the road traffie. Where there wqs a grass margin on the roadside this should be used and it was then permissible to use either right or lcft side of the road. When it was necessary to use the road, the rule of the road, keep to the left, must be observed. Drivers are to be asked to observc, special care when passing horses both by slowing down and giving the rider and horse plenty of room. On the question of wandering stock, eonference delegates reported that varying opinions were held by local bodies as to the methods of dealing with the problem and after a full dis sussion it was agreed that the present law was inadequate to deal with wandering stock. It W9-S revealed that three separate Acts were in operation and reeom * mendations were made that these should be consolidated into the Impoundiug Act, 1908. The -conf erence decided that the provisions of - the Inipounding Act should be strengthened to increase tbe powers and penalties now in foree; further, that power be given to any police officer, traffie inspector, ranger or authorised person to enforce the law relating to wandering stock. ^ This would necessitate bringing certain provisions of the Police Offenees Act under the new Impounding Act and and extending. them so that the presence of stock on the road should be deemed prima facie evidence against the owner o£ his having permitted the stock to wander. ^ It was proposed that proof ot negligence in civil actions arising froni collisions with wandering stock shouln be simplihed. " As the result of the eonference local bodies are to be asked not0 to issue further permits for grazing righ'ts on publie roads. , Representations are, to be made _ to the Internal Aft'airs Department tOsgvve effect to the reconnnendations of the eonference. -