The Burce Berald. TOKOMAIRIRO, MARCH 5, 1897.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2833, 5 March 1897, Page 2

The Burce Berald. TOKOMAIRIRO, MARCH 5, 1897.

The Tokoinairiro Farmers' Club, in agitating on the question of the dog nuisance, has roused public attention to the urgent necessity of the local authorities taking prompt steps to abate the evils complained of. It is pleasing to note that the. Bruce County Council and the Borough Council of Milton are anxious to assist the Cfub, bo far as lies in their power. This is exemplified by their appointing delegates to attend a conference, with the object of coming to some mutual understanding on the subject. As will be seen, in another column, the meeting took plac« on Tuesday evening last. At the meeting Mr Donald Reid thoroughly explained the powers local bodieß had under the various Acts passed by the Legislature. As he pointed out, in the course of his remarks, owners of cattle, sheep, and rabbit doga, were only entitled to a reduction of the tax, made by local authorities, on making a declaration that their dogs were solely keptfor such purposes. The Dog Registration Acts of 1882 and 3890 are very clear on this point, and, as Mr Reid said, it ib no doubt often overlooked when registration is made. So far as the County Council is concerned, ib is of little moment if it is overlooked, as long as that body only puts on a tax of two shillings and sixpence per dog. In the case of the Borough it is somewhat different, as the fee has been fixed at five shillings, and " The Dog Registration Act of 1890," read with that of 1895, entitles every farmer, drover, or shepherd, upon making a declaration, to pay a tax of only 2s Gd per head on sheep and cattle dogs up to three dogs. The conference very wisely asked the local authorities to increase the tax, and see that the law was enforced with respect to any dogs found without a proper registered collar. This matter has now teen pretty well tbreihed out, jjwd, it

. now only behoves the County and Borough Councils to carry out tho suggestions that have been made to them. It has always seemed to us that ample powers are given to local bodies to deal with the dog nuisaDce, and if the la«v is carried out as provided, few if any worthless dogs need exist in town or country. Such being the case there is no necessity to go to Parliament for fresh legislation ; to do so would be like invoking the aid of Jupiter, while neglecting to use the powers already granted to us. It is worthy of note that at the present time, from distant Chathams to the far off Cape Maria Van Dieman, bitter complaints are rife regarding the alarming number worthless dogs allowed to .roam abroad seeking what they may devour. This goes to show that the local authorities are not as energetic as they ought to be, in taking vigorous measures to rid the colony of worthless dogs.