Correspondence.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VIII, Issue 537, 26 December 1857, Page 4

Correspondence.

2V this Editor.of iHe 'Xyttelion Times.'

Sib, —Having been for some time past subjected to considerable annoyance frdm the cattle running in the neighbourhood of Lyttelton, I would beg leave to offer a few remarks on the 6abject. through the medium of .your -oolomns.

■3 have a great <TiHlifre io Ktigafion, having xnCre fear of a law-snit than I have of the doctor; conpeqnentlv, \t would only be in an e"str<jme case that • I .should avail rcn-eelf of

the protection afforded by the Cattle Trespass Ordinance, but I certainly think the owners of cattle ought to take every precaution to prevent them from destroying their neighbour's property. I am fully aware of the many difficulties there are in the way, but I would suggest a cheap remedy against part of the evil, viz., the use of cattle bells. It is not long since I opened my door in the i night and found a cow standing across the doorway -quietly chewing her cad, and four or five more clearing my 1 ground of everything— but the weeds. A few days ago, I had the benefit of a similar visit, some tubs of clean water standing under my bedroom window were emptied, and the produce of my garden eaten or otherwise destroyed, and I nothing the wiser, till too late. Now, sir, had five or six cows lv the herd (for there was nearly a dozen of them) had bells on their necks I should have been wakened by the noise before much harm was done; but now, over the soft earth "they come silently as shadows and so depart," leaving, unfortunately, a sad wreck behind. If cowkeepers have* consciences, they will act upoii my hint; but, whether or not, a clause making the use of cattle bells compulsory (in or near towns) would be an excellent addition to the Trespass Ordinance. CENSORIUS. Dec 15th, 1857.

To the Editor of the 'Ly Helton Times'

Sic, —I shall feel obliged if you will permit me, through the medium of your columns, to call the attention of the authorities to .the wholesale and indiscriminate slaughter of dogs by poison, now (and for some time past) "going on in the town of Christchurch. I wish to kuow what protection is to be afforded to those among us who possess dogs, many of them of great value. We are compelled by law to pay an annual fee for their registration, and in default of doing so, are liable to have them shot.

But, sir, while we can thus obtain legal sufferance for our property, we have no means, of guarding against the base and cowardly system of poisoning which is now being carried oa to such a Irightful extent. As a dog owner, who justly values his animal and keeps him fastened at night, I hereby give notice, that if my dog is poisoned, I will leave no stone unturned to procure condign punishment on the perpetrators of the cowardly offence. Hoping that this letter will be followed by others in the same strain, and that in consequence the authorities may be brought to take notice of the matter, I am. sir, Your obedient servant, CIVIS. Christchurcb, Dec, 1857.