DROVING IN THE BOROUGH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3702, 11 December 1912, Page 3

DROVING IN THE BOROUGH.

A DANGEROUS PRACTICE

! Tile Borough Council by-law which • rules that no person slmll drive cattle : on a borough road between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. was responsible for ,a prosecution before Mr W. A. Barton, SAI., yesterday, John Karris Jeffrys (represented by Mr F. W. i Nolan) having transgressed, i The facts, as related by Mr T. A. Coleman, showed that the case was of a serious nature, a mob of cattle stampeding after crossing the Haiti bridge to the town aide and causing great consternation, not to mention the grave risk of serious accident. The cattle broke off in different directions, one striving bard to gain admission to the Council Chambers, while a snorting animal succeeded in making, fat men sprint and sprawl over the Courthouse fence as best they could. Another incident was that a woman, and several children were entirely surrounded by the cattle and thrown ; into a state of terror. The - affair happened at 5.10 on Friday last. Mr Nolan, while admitting the danger of such an occurrence, drew His Worship’s attention to the fact that defendant was only 20 minutes too soon for the legal limit, because he had misjudged the, travelling powers of the cattle. Counsel could see little difference as regarded danger between 5.10 and 5.30. ■ His Worship said that the practice was a dangerous one and that serious injury might result. The practice must cease. A fine of £2, costs (7s) and solicitor's fee (El Is) was imposed.