WANDERING HORSES

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 41, 22 October 1952, Page 4

WANDERING HORSES

i Many complaints are reaching the Taupo Town Board concerning* the nuisance of wandering horses. More energetic action is now to oe taken to deal with it. The easy-going days of "the long paddock" are over. Horsc owners are expected to make adequate provision for keeping their annimals securely within bounds, or suffer the experience of having them impounded and being charged with the cost of their upkeep. This nuisance is not an easy inat ter to deal with. There is the difhculty of obtaining the full-time services of a pound-keeper. Calls of applications to fill the position bring

no response. The Town Board has appointed a part-time officer, and it is to be hoped that as the result of his energies ihe nuisance may be ma « terially abated. Again, some horseowners betray only a casual interest in the fate of their animals. If .these are impoimded they, in some instances, seem quite satisfied to leave them for the Town Board to care for and feed. The Bo^rd can sell them, of course, but as a rule the cash re~ ceived is a mere fraction of the maintenance cost of impounding them, especially on winter feed. Formerly, Maori owners were mainly the chief offenders, but the Pakehas today, it is officially stated, are just as bad if not wofse. The Board f eels that th,e powers at present available for dealing with the nuisance are quite inadequate. Legal authority is required for the summary destruction of unclaiined horses whose. owners neglect their responsibilities. Action is being taken in the decision of enlisting the support of the Muncipal Association in obtaining the necessary amending legislation. As everyone in Taupo is quite well' aware, paddocking is scarce, and certainly quite inadequate to meet the growing demands for grazing created by the increasing populaiity of pony clubs. The rule for intending owners should be, "first get your paddock.,,