STOCK TRAINS WANTED.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 11 June 1919, Page 3

STOCK TRAINS WANTED.

— CATTLE BADLY HANDLED. At the last meeting of, the Palmerston North branch of the Farmers’ Union the matter of carriage of stock to freezing works was brought up by Mr Pearce, who said that he had personally investigated the method employed by the Bailway Department and found that a scandalous state of affairs existed. The trouble ' was caused through shunting at wayside stations, where the bumping caused cattle to turn round and then lose their footing. The trucks were also out of date, and there was only space enough for one hcof, and if a beast once got down only a horse could pull it up again. Kecently four trucks of stock sent by the speaker from Fcatherston had depreciated from £3 to £-1 per animal by the time they had reached the works. In ono truck one beast was dead and -five were down, while the rest were nothing but congealed jelly and blood, and practically useless for freezing purposes. Of one shipment the speaker had lost over £2OO, yet on -the other hand some trucks sent from Fcatherston had arrived at the works in perfect condition, which showed that the fault lay with the Kailway Department.

Other members endorsed the remarks of Mr Pearce.

Mr Buchanan said that the same thine had often occurred with his pedigree stock, nv.d he had been compelled to have it placed next to passenger cars to avoid having it shunted. It was a scandalous state of affairs. and something, should be done. They should have special stock trains and owners of stock be advised,, ot their

lU Aftcr further discussion the following motion was carried unanimously: That the Railway Department b, asked to remedy at once the scandab ous method of carrying stock, otwn o the serious losses suffered in-transu._ It was decided to send the resolution „s a remit to the sub-prov.ncial executive, and. to ask other unions., to cooperate in the matter.