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Parliamentary Publications. 



concurrence of the Chief Secretary for Ireland, to inquire 

 into the conditions under which the transit of animals by 

 road or rail is at present conducted, and to consider what 

 further measures, if any, can with advantage be taken, either 

 by legislation or otherwise, to protect animals from suffering, 

 and to ensure their delivery in the best possible condition. 

 The scope of the inquiry included Great Britain and Ireland, 

 and the Committee state that while they fully examined the 

 conditions of transit in both countries, it was soon apparent 

 that it is in Ireland that the question is most urgent. In 

 Ireland the proportional importance of the cattle trade is 

 much greater, and the complaints of shortcomings in the 

 present system are much more serious. 



The Committee make a number of detailed recommenda- 

 tions regarding better supervision and accommodation at 

 fairs and railway stations, and inspection at ports in Ireland. 

 The Committee also make recommendations as to the railway 

 pens and loa.ding banks, a.nd as to the construction of cattle- 

 trucks. They advise that horned and dishorned cattle should 

 be kept separate during transit. With regard to rest, food, 

 and water, it is recommended that railway companies should 

 have power to detain and feed at the expense of the owner 

 animals which, after a voyage, are in their opinion unfit to 

 continue their journey ; that a company should he required 

 to unload and feed, at the owner's expense, animals which 

 have been in their charge for twenty-four hours, or have been 

 twenty-four hours in transit without food. Perm^issive powers 

 are recommended to be given to local authorities to make 

 bye-laws requiring the licensing of drovers plying for hire 

 within their authority ; it is also advised that the substitution 

 of an approved goad for the stick, and the dishorning of 

 young cattle should be encouraged. 



The Committee also recommend generally that the duties 

 relating to cattle transit should be placed in the hands of 

 the local authorities, subject to the supervision of the central 

 authority. 



