Papers by Command Volume 48 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908-01-01 Excerpt: ...communication. Injury to live stock driven long distances by road. Mr. D. Owens examined by the Chairman. The agricultural in dustries of the district handicapped by "vant of railway facilitie. 38476. You appear on behalf of the Strokestown Rural District Council?--Yes, sir. 38477. Where is Strokestown?--Tt is about the centre of the County Roscommon. It is situated twelve Irish miles from Longford, ten Irish miles from Roscommon, fourteen Irish miles from both Boyle and Castlerea, and about eight or nine miles from Dromod and Drumsna. 38478. Now, an? there large fairs held in that place?-Yes, we have had for a number of years very large fairs, but for the want of a railway our cattle have to be driven twelve Irish miles to Longford and about eight or nine miles to Dromod and Drumsna '(those are Irish miles), and about ten Irish miles from those fairs to Roscommon. These cattle have to stand in the fair, and when they are driven to the railway station and put on the train on the same day, they are hardly fit for any market either in Dublin or England or Scotland. 38479. They are exliausted?--They are exhausted. 38480. When you speak of cattle, does that include sheep and pigs as well?--Well, it includes them, but of course nobody would face to drive pigs this distance. They have to be carried, but the sheep do have to be driven, and they just suffer in proportion to wliat the cattle do. 38481. And is there a weekly market for farm produce?--Yes; there is a market on Friday every week. 38482. For agricultural produce?--Yes, for agricultural produce. I suppose every market day about a dozen of carts come in from Longford for fowl, and those carts have to be paid for, and it takes the price and upkeep of them and the crates out of the profits of the...