CATTLE DRIVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1916, Page 5

CATTLE DRIVING.

SUNDAY RESTRICTION? _ The proposed restrictions of the hours in whit'lt cuttle and sheep can be driven through the borough, an outlined in the notices of motion given by Cr. Collis, have not met with a favorable reception at the hands of the farmers and cattle dealers in tho vicinity of New Ply mouth, and at last night's meeting of the Borough Council, a strong deputation comprising Messrs. J. S. Connett, C. Fail-brother, B. Honeyfleld, D. J. Hughes, E. B. Bayly, D. Pcnwarden, and H. Baily. waited on the Council. "

Mr. Connett said it appeared as though .sufficient thought had not been given by the mover to the interests of the farmers. He had in the past always found the Borough Council ready to meet farmers in every way possible. That another stock route was necessary all were aware, but until a more suitable route is constructed, he hoped that the time would not be too greatly restricted. If it was, it would cause great inconvenience to farmers on both sides who were driving cattle to the sales, to the Show ground, and to the freezing works, which will be greatly •inconvenienced, and which both country and town are working together to establish. The Mayor pointed out that 'the hours proposed were from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and he asked the deputation to explain where the inconveniece would come in. Mr. C. Fairbrother said that" the hours would be unsuitable for coastal farmers wishing to come to Waiwakaiho sales. They would have to bring their cattle in, then go back home and milk, and return again to the sale. If he bought cattle at the sale, he would have to remain in New Plymouth all night. Moreover, he pointed out that cattle only struck the tram line for a short distance, viz., from Paynter's Lane to Waiwakaiho.

Mr. I). J. Hughes considered that a private stock route was an absolute necessity in a town of the size of New Plymouth, It was impossible for cattle to reach the borougli boundary before fi a.m. Drovers had certain stages each day. -

Mr. Baily said that the directors of the freezing works lmd asked him to wait on the Council. He pointed out that New Plymouth was practically on the main route of all stock between north and south Taranaki district, from past Awakino to Opunake. No matter what action the Council took, cattle would bo driven on Sundays. It would be detrimental to the interests of the country that cattle should be prohibited from being driven through the borough on Sundays. There should be a. reasonable limit, say, to 9 a.m. He also considered that to limit the time to 9 a.m. on week days was unreasonable. It would be impossible for stock coming from more than five or six miles way to get through New Plymouth the same day. Mr: Honeyfield said that it took two hours at least to drive cattle through the borough.

Mr. Collis said that while the deputation objected to the proposal they did not give any lead as to what hours would be convenient. They had to face the difficulty that the tram? were held up by cattle, and this could hot be al, lowed all day. Mr. Connett said that it was difficult to fix any special hours that would be convenient.

Cr. Johnstone thought that there might be some mearis'of driving whereby the danger might be minimised. Any suggestions would help the Council. Mr. Connett said that drovers now endeavoured to pass schools, /when the children were in school, so as to prevent any danger to children.

'After the deputation had withdrawn, Cr. Collis moved that driving of cattle through the borough, save of dairy cattle going to and from their paddocks, should* be'prohibited on Sunday. He knew that there would be opposition, but he did not. think that the resolution would cause any hardship. There was no necessity for driving cattle through New Plymouth, though some drovers appeared to mak J 6 a practice of it. Cri Wilson, in seconding, could not understand why drovers were allowed to do their business, while Chinamen, would be prosecuted for" following their ordinary avocation within view of a public place. He could not conceive any necessity for driving cattle so as to arrive in the borough on Sunday. Cr. Smith agreed. -

Cr. Griffiths/ did not believe in being too drastic, lv. special circumstances, special permission might be given. Cr. Watkins moved as an amendment that the words ''without special permission" he added. Cr, Griffiths seconded. Finally this was incorporated in the original motion.

After further discussion in which the difficulty of obtaining permission was pointed out, Cr. Hayden moved an amendment that cattle driving be not allowed on Sundays after 9 a.m.

This was seconded by Cr. Short. ■ Cr. Johnstone favored deferring consideration until all people interested had an opportunity, of placing their views before the Council. Personally, he did not think there would be any hardship, as the trouble lay with the drovers, not with farmers. Cr. Hayden's amendment was carried. Cr. Collis' motion limiting the driving hours on week days from 6 a.m. till 0 a.m.; lapsed for want of a seconder.