THE SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7279, 8 April 1889, Page 3

THE SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir—ln your report of the Courtenay Road Board meeting I notice that the Clerk was instructed to draw the atten*, tion of the Selwyn County Council to the large amount the Courtenay Road Board had spent In destroying grain-eating birds and pointing out the fact that their efforts are neutralised by the apathy of neighbor, ing Boards. lam glad to Bee, Sir, that our local bodies are awakening to the fact that without combination and mutual assistance the praiseworthy exertions of a minority are completely useless In staying the progress of a. most serious damaging pest to the farming community. It takes but little observance to learn to what an enormous extent tha birds have multiplied this summer in districts where formerly they were, by a small expenditure, kept fairly downFlocks, containing myriads, can any day be seen where only a few months ago scores would have counted them. I venture to say that if another season is allowed to pass without some combined means being taken for the material reduction of the birds, the ratepayers will ba obliged to bear a tax to relieve themselves of a heavier burden in the shape of grain lost by the depredations of their winged enemies. -Few, indeed, object to an expenditure which is for the common good, certainly no person who grew a single bushel of grain, and if a poll on the question was taken, every local body would be supJiorted by over three to one in Incurring labilities to reduce the evil. The Courtenay Board deserve the thanks of every farmer for their efforts **« this direction, and st the approaching elections to fill vacancies on the various Boards I trust the ratepayers will request their representatives to adopt mutual, effective and stringent measures in furtherance of affording relief to grain growers, and dealing with what will, if delayed much longer, be a serious public question, if, indeed, it has not already assumed that phase. Thanking you for space in your valuable journaL Yours, &c, MALVERN.