STOCKYARDS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 205, 22 April 1932, Page 6

STOCKYARDS

RAILWAY DEPT. REFUSES TO AGREE TO REMOVAL. Recently the Rotorua Borough Council made representations to the Railway Department for the removal of the existing stockyards near the Fenton Street railway terminus to Te Koutu. At Wednesday evening's meet:ng of the council, however, the Department advised that it could no^" see its way clear to agree to the request. The general manager of the Department, in his letter, stated that careful consideration had been given to the couneil's request, but it had been found that the position had not changed since the matter was last the subject of correspondence between the council and the Department. Having regard to the present urgent need for economy, therefore, it was regrettod that no expense could be incurred in the direction desired at present. Cr. A. Smith pointed out that the gazotted stoclc routes in the town did not lead to the yards. The council was merely permitting main roads to be used to give access, but the council had power to withhold that access. He did not thinlc that the council should tolerate the position, and li2 suggested that the council should go into the legal aspect of the question and see what could be done. Cr. E- T. Johnson characterised the Department's attitude as "arrogant" and supported Cr. Smith's suggestion. He thoug-ht that the council should ascertain whether access to the yards could not be refused. The town clerk said that the couneil's only course would be to lodge a proSecution against the first drover using one of the main streets. If that was done the prosecution mighf be thrown out on the grounds of unreasonableness. The stockyards were there and it would probably be held that the drover had to get his stoclc there. The council could, however, regulate the times for droving. Cr. N. M. Keane said that the Railway Department's chief object'on to establishing the yards at Koutu was that they would have to send out an official to receive all truclcings. Cr. Smith moved that the council definitely fix the hours at which stock may be driven through the streets, and also represent to the Department the couneil's opinion that the yards should be either closed or removed. He suggested that the Ngongotaha yards would serve the purpose, espee?ally as an official was available at that point. The question of fixing the hours was referred to the general committee.