WANDERING STOCK.

Shannon News, 9 March 1923, Page 3

WANDERING STOCK.

RANGER WANTS TO KNOW HIS POSITION.

At Tuesday evening’s meeting of the Borough Council, the following letter was received from M. O’Connell, ranger: “I am led to believe that the Council have' received that I am neglecting my duty as ranger. Several reports have been made to Cr. Hook. I ask councillors to take into consideration that since I have been ranger Cr. Hook has been before the Court and been fined for wandering stock. I also wish to mention that Mr Dalzell, employed by the Borough Council, gave me strict orders one day not to shift three head of stock off the road, as he, had given the owner permission to put them out. Also, Cr. Hook asked me if I was unable. to carry out the night duty he would put it before the Council and ask for the job himself. I wish to get a decided answer from the Council about stock which is tethered on the roads. I have, seen no less than 13 such cases on my rounds, and what am I to do with them , and also the excuses about flooded country.” Cr. Hook denied the statement that he was wanting the job. The Mayor said that Mr Dalzell had no authority to give permission to any person to graze stock on the roads. In regard to stock tethered on the roads, the ranger was .to take proceedings, as the Council looked upon it as a more serious offence than allowing them to wander.

Discussion followed in reference to dealing with stock, from the flood area. In the past, at flood time, it has been the practice for owners to graze their stock in the borough, and it has always been a difficult task for the ranger to know how to deal with them. Cr. Butt said that if the roads were to be open to stock from the flooded area they should be open to all. He did hot think it fair to people in. town to have to put up with it. Cr. Hyde said when a person bought land subject to floods, he should make provision for it. Cr. Murray: If an owner in such a case wants accommodation he should be prepared to pay for it. Cr. Fargher: If such a payment was made the Council would then r.e liable for any damage or accident that may arise. Cr. Spencer: As regards floods, I think, conditions should remain as in the past. Cr. Murray: These owners fs a rule herded their stock, and they were not allowed to wander at night. It was hard to discriminate between the man whose stock got out and those deliberately put out. The Mayor said he thought the ranger tried to do his duty. Cr. Spencer: He. has got to discriminate between those from the flooded area and those who are taking advantage of the position. It Was finally resolved that the ranger act according to the by-law re flooded areas. The Town Clerk asked if in future he was to issue a summons immediately the notice came in, or should it go before the Council. On the motion of Cr. Spencer, it was decided that all stock impounded be brought under the notice of the Council ; before proceedings were taken.