HOW THE CATTLE GET BRUISED

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2532, 2 October 1888, Page 3

HOW THE CATTLE GET BRUISED

TO THE EOITOK Sik,—Of course we all know that farmers are celebrated for dullness of comprehension, so it is not wonderful they never found out how the cattle got injured before. Now, ho«'e\*er that their eyes have been opened by the General Manager of New Zealand Railways, let them for ever hide their heads and never breathe another word against those perfect railways (no better in the world, vide report.) In common with many of my neighbours, I usually truck my own cattle. To catch the early train and give the cattle time to travel quietly, it_ is often necessary to be in the paddock with the first streak of daylight. Then, when they are yarded, I think our purses have Buffered so severely ere now for it to be likely that we, of our own free will, should add to that loss by bruising the meat. There are other, and more effectual ways of bringing persuasion to bear, than layabout with clubs. This being so, the only thing I could think of was that a petition should be sot up to request the Genera] Manager to come and give us a practical les-on in drafting, driving and trucking, so that we might become acquainted with the proper method I am sure that if only he would, and it wero duly notified, all Waikato would be there to see, afraid, is too much to hope for, shall be left to go blundering on and bruising the best steaks, till they ought at any rate to be tender, But perhaps the Railway authorities might neutralize the mischief we do a little. Suppose, for instance, that the trucks were of sufficient width to admit of an ordinary bullock standing across, without having his head twisted round to his shoulder, as at present. The cattle could then be put in side by side, aud there they would have to remain, if the truck was properly filled. Now they cannot stand across, and get mixed up in every imaginable position, generally each pair of horns sticking into its neighbour's ribs. Suppose, again, that all possible shunting of cattle trucks was avoided, and the official who would do such a thing as I am about to mention requested to send in his resignation as soon as convenient. As things are at present there_ is much shunting nil along the line, but at Huutly I have myself seen the cattle cut off the train with the ftugiiie, aucJ all tlio oi cual

done with the cattle trucks, anrl others could relate similar experience. We are informed that nowhere in the world (our omniscient General Manager speaks again) are cattle carried in padded trucks, or offered for sale at the end of their journey. Give us the two things above asked for, and we will wait for padded trucks till Mr Vaile's time. But about not selling the cattlc at once, that would never do, as so many of them would die of their injuries if they were not killed at once to save their lives.—Yours trulv, Farmkr. Rangiaohia, September 29th.