UPKEEP OF COUNTY STOCKYARDS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 120, 7 June 1937, Page 8

UPKEEP OF COUNTY STOCKYARDS

Council Concerned At Damage "GETS ALL THE KICKS" "Our stock paddocks are frequently wreck'ed, and never a word is said about it; yet the council receives all the kicks. That is not good enough in view of the fact that no-one gives us any assistance," said Mr E. H. Beamish at to-day's special meeting of the Hawke's Bay County Counciil. "We are all quite conversant with the argument that has been going on for a long time over tbe maintenance of stock-yards," he continued. "They liavo not been in good order and there has been an agitation to put them in order. "In the Okawa riding last year I went to some trouble to get the yards into good order for the droving season. in a sliort time I found instances oi -he yards kaving been absolutely wrecked, and not a word was said about it. I would point out that we are doing something that no-one else will do. The stock and station agents and the freezing-works have been approached, but we have not got far with them. We are getting all the kicks, and yet nobody will give us any help. "I know that accidents will oeeur, but I am of the opinion that' most of the damage is due to negligence. We know that a mob of restless cattle, if they get. -a fright, will ,mow down a fence, but it would not be so bad if we were told about it. If the ratepayers knew what was going on, they would spare the council the kicks that are coming to ns about the yards. It should be' generally known what the council is up against." "For years past we have been endoavouring to interest the freezing works and the mercantile firnis in these yards," said the chairman, Mr. F. B. Logan. "They might have felt it their duty or their pleasure to have contributed something towards the upkeep oi these yards. Large sums of money have to be spent on these yards, and it is not only ratepayers' stock that uses them but stock from many parts of the North Island. We might be able to make a small charge on those who use the yards, but the difiiculty would be to collect it." Mr. E. Harding pointed out that tho Bridge Pa yards were constantly being broken down. About two years ago, he said, they were built up with heavy tiinber. He inquired whether maintenance costs had still been high. The engineer, Mr. R. Puflet, in reply, said that very little expense had sinco been incurred on those yards. Mr. Harding suggested that it would probably be cheaper if all tho yards were built up likewise, the work to be done gradually. Mr. M. S. Ghambers said that in tho making of a small charge people would appreciate the fact that they were using them for a very reasonable rate. It would also be the means of having a check on the yards being left in a damaged stato, Mr. C. Lassen pointed out that in the Feilding district all yards for stoclc were provided by private entcrprise. Mr. S. Bennett said that much of the breakage to the yards in his riding had been due to the drafting of cattle. It was iinally decided that the engineer should report on the question of maintenance of the yards and of the possibility of collecting fees for tlieir use.