STOCK ON THE COAST ROAD

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3273, 9 June 1943, Page 7

STOCK ON THE COAST ROAD

(To The Editor) Sir,. —-Your published report of the Thames County Council meeting on April 21, 1943, would give readers the impression that stock do not graze the Waikawau area of the main highway. Regular travellers will be astonished to read the result of complaints, in view of the fact that the grazing during the recent dry weather has been so excessive and continuous as to appear that the herd is dependent chiefly on the roadsides for feed supply. In fact, the roadside resembled a stabling area. I doubt if a parallel case could be found anywhere else in New Zealand. It is difficult to understand the council’s attitude to the continuous grazing on the highway. The poundkeeper’s report and the council’s decisibn must have been very gratifying to the owners of the herd in view of the following facts. Dalgetys held a sale at Coromandel just prior to the council meeting mentioned. The firm’s Auckland .auctioneer’s car, with a councillor amongst the passengers, returning to Thames from the sale passed stock on, the roadside of the main highway, including several piebald horses. The councillor expounded on the breeding of the specimens. Shortly afterwards Dalgety’s Thames agent’s car with another county councilor included in the passengers, also passed these horses and the Councillor admits seeing them. The stock and horses were grazing at the approaches to Waikawau bridge when my car followed soon, afterwards.

I understand the poundkeeper reported that there were no stock on the road on a Wednesday and Friday. It is possible the poundkeeper called during milking period, otherwise he could not have failed to see ,them. On both days mentioned by the poundkeeper I saw the herd grazing on the roadside as usual. One evening I narrowly escaped an accident when a young cow, endeavouring to regain the mob, dashed round a corner. This was only one of many similar incidents that have occurred. Included amongst the piebald horses is a stallion which, I need hardly say, makes the offence even more serious.

I notice the remarks of your correspondent W. H. Clark, dated at Patetonga on April 23, 1943, which clearly express the position on the Coast road about that date. It would be interesting to know whether the council, by permitting this public danger to continue, would be liable for damages when an accident happens.—l am, etc., A. DOUGLAS. Ngatea, 25:5:43.