WANDERING STOCK MENACE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 June 1924, Page 6

WANDERING STOCK MENACE.

Reports are again reaching us of stock wandering on the roads in the district at night time, and motorists are experiencing anxious moments as a. result. In the Ohangai district, we are informed, a large herd is allowed out on the road frequently, and is regarded as a serious menace by those who use the road at night. Probably the winter weather causing a shortening of the supply of grass in the paddocks encourages those owners of stock who have no regard for the rights of the community as a whole to turn their animals on to the roads to graze at night, but the practice is one which should he stopped. Accidents have been caused in the past through stock wandering on the roads during the hours of darkness, and accidents will happen in the future unless drastic measures are taken to- clear the highAvays of the menace. Fines and impounding* do not seem to be sufficient, and if the numerous;, warnings and protests continue to pass unheeded more drastic methods will have to be adopted. We suppose that thoughtlessness on the part of owners is the reason why stock are permitted to wander. Owners have only to think for a minute to realise that if they permit their stock to become a menace to the public safety and a serious accident results, they should be held responsible, and in a, case of loss of life the owner would probably be liable to a very serious charge. We therefore emphasise once more the responsibility of owners to keep their stock off the roads, while motorists will be well .advised to keep a sharp look-out- and to travel at speeds which will enable them to stop their cars or motor bicycles within a few yards should they find themselves suddenly confronted by stock wandering on the roads. It is very difficult to anticipate the movements of wandering animals on a road at night. The sudden appearance of a blight light seems to mesmerise them, and often one has noticed that they seem to have great difficulty in moving out of the field of light. A motoristseeing a cow or horse a few yards ahead will, if he is wise, slow down to the lowest speed, because he can never be certain that the animal will get out of the way until the motor is right up to it. Rangers cannot be everywhere at once, nor can they he expected to remain out in search of wandering stock at all hours of the night, but, judging by reports that reach us from time to time, the menace is widespread and calls for immediate removal.