THE NEW POUND.

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 982, 10 January 1883, Page 2

THE NEW POUND .

- At the Borough Council meeting on Wednesday evening, the Mayor, in stating that the necessary bond and sureties for the poundkoeper had been found, said that the hours during which the pound would be open were from 9 to 5. Cr Tnplin said, the pound should be open at all hours. At the present time there was more offence and nuisance from wandering cattle than ever had been before, although they had just got a pound. Cr Adams agreed with Cr Taplin with regard to the hours during which the pound should be kept open. After dark was the time cattle were loose. Cr Gibson stated that at the present time there must be about 200 head of horses and cattle straying about the townHe agreed with the last, speaker. The Mayor said arrangements had been made for putting the cattle in the pound at any hour, but the impounders would have to mind them till 9 o’clock. He would, however, ask the pouudkeeper to reconsider his decision with regard to hours if the matter were allowed to stand over till the next meeting. Cr Dixon asked if the Council allowed (he poundkeeper to dictate hours. Cr Adams thought that if (hey could not come to an arrangement with Mr Cowcrn, they might arrange with their old poundkeeper for a short while. The Majmr said that Mr Cowern had never been asked to extend his hours which had been agreed upon by Mr Sherwood and him (Mr Cowern) without the ■ sanction of (lie Council. He (the speaker) thought that it was clearly the duty of the officer heading the Council, before fixing the hours, first to submit them for the approval of the Council. Cr Taplin asked if they couldn’t lease the yards from Mr Cowern, and appoint their own poundkeeper. With regard to the impounding of cattle Cr Adams thought it the duty of the Inspector of Nuisances, The Mayor said the police could do it. The}’ impounded the cattle at New Plymouth and Wanganui, and doubtless they could be got to do it here. Cr Aitcbison said that if the police would impound the cattle, arrangements might be come to with the poundkeeper, by which cattle could be put in at any hour. Cr Gibson said that the nuisance was so great that it would be beyond the power of the police to cope with the evil without the aid of one or two good stockmen. Cr Taplin concurred, and said the Council should give authority to the Mayor or the ‘police direct to obtain assistance when required. The Mayor mentioned that it would be but fan 1 for the poundkeeper to give all the assistance required as he derived all the revenue. It was ultimately resolved on the motion of Cr Haywood seconded by Cr Gibson, “ That the Cleik be instructed to draw the attention of the police to the number of horses and cuttle wandering in the Borough, and asking them to lake steps to have them impounded.”