STRAY CATTLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 499, 12 August 1902, Page 2

STRAY CATTLE.

OWNERS TO BE PROCEEDED

AGAINST.

At the meeting of tho Whataupoko Road Board two lettors wero rocoivod from ratepayers complaining of tho practieo indulged in by many rosidonts l of Whataupoko of grazing their eattlo 011 tho public roads. Tho writers pointed out that unless the Board took strong measures in the matter that thoro would sooner or later bo a seriouß accidont. On an avorage a man could pick up half-a-dozon or a dozon horsos or cows ovory night, and great damago was consequently being dono to tho roads. Almost ovory day people woro to bo soon on tho road in chargo of tho animals in question. 11 It must bo patent to mombers as to who aro the owners of those animals,” remarked one writer, “ for tho nainos aro on the covers) on tho horses, and it is high timo tho Board took a dotorminod stand in tho matter. Last year stray oattlo broke down my fonco, and destroyed a crop of groon oats in tho paddock. This cost mo a few pounds, and uuloss tho Board tako steps to put a stop to tho practieo, I shall be put to tho Bamo loss this year. At any rate, I do not wish to broalc my neck over Btray cattle."

Tho writer of another lettor gave a graphic description of the troublo he had gono to in ordor to keep stray horsos out of his garden, but all to no avail. Tho Chairman said that ono gentloman who had writton to tho Board that day had himsolf been a bad offondor in tho past in tho matter of allowing his cattle to bo at largo.

Mr Lysnar said that two wrongs did not make a right. Ho had himself reason to complain bitterly of tho damago dono by horses being at largo in tho streets, and only rocontly 110 had impounded two lots in ono morning for trespassing in his garden. Captain Forris said that eattlo wore always to bo scon about the streets, and it was timo tho Board took action in the matter.

Mr Lysnar said that tho proper remedy was to sue tho pooplo through tho Court. Mr Siovwright had dgnbts whether tho Board could do so. -Ist Other mombers thought that the Ranger was not paid sufficient remuneration to do the work properly. Aftor further discussion, it was decided to take action against tho owners for allowing tho animals to trespass od tho roads.