PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1915. COUNTY COUNCIL RANGERSHIP.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 December 1915, Page 2

PUBLISHED DAILY. LEVIN. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1915. COUNTY COUNCIL RANGERSHIP.

'J lie trouble over wandering stock on the country roads is likely to bo remedied next year, if the Horowhenua County Council carries out ite proposal to appoint a permanent ranger at a living \va.go. TJie present haphazaru method is one that lias been a failure here as elsewhere and a change is most desirable. At tho council's last meeting, when a desultory discussion on the matter took place, an opiuiou was exprosed that the proposed wage of £1 per week was excessive, but wo think this view is unsound. Any rangor who is prepared to do the work thoroughly—which means the constant patrol of a county some sixty miles mi length, if of no greater mileage in ■breadth—will linve to keep throe hacks in good condition; an expensive matter in those days of high prices for 'horse-feed. Cheap laoour is dear labour, in ranging at> in other avenues ol work, and if the council is to get an effective service it must he prepared to pay a. wage Ifkely to induce the better class of man to offer his services. Thflt the ranging needs to he undertaken in a more effective w-iv than that pursued in recent years eeems obvious from the correspondence that has come before tlie County Council from month to month. Given a fixed; wage, the ranger will he freed from tho various side-issues that interfore with effective service by hampering that official from putting out his best efforts. An illustration of how these arise was given ot tho last meeting of Foxton Borough Council when a discussion elicited the fact that during November nine head of cattle were impounded, hut the ranger had another thirW-tuo head in his possession which wero claimed by the owners before being impounded;. The ranger claimed his fee of ninepence per head on all tho cattle, and a. discussion arose as to whether he was entitled to receive payment for the lot or only those that he actually impounded. It was eventually decided to pay the full amount, and further, thai consideration of ranging be referrodi to a sub-committee for

revision. Coupes of dispute such as these would be ororoomo if a jjeppiidable man on ■weekly washes were sociired.