MOTUNAU RABBIT BOARD.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18680, 1 May 1926, Page 17

MOTUNAU RABBIT BOARD.

TO THE EDITOR 0* "THE PBESS." Sir,—lt looks as if this newly-created district and Board think that they are going to get a "ring-tailed corker" on to the old Hurunui rabbit district and Board. Judging by your report, the Hurunui Kaobit Board as contiguous owners, will be expected to pay halt the cost, about £2OOO, towards tJie erection of this proposed new fence. 1 question this, because the iiurunui Kabbit Board is not a land owner, so if the contiguous owners are-liable, this burden will fall upon adjoining owners, or the Waipara County Council, along one side ot whoso road the is to bo put for some distance. According to the Act, a register of all the ratepayers in tho new area should li&ve been open for inspection prior to the Board being elected, and an opportunity given for objections. 'lliifi should have been advertised and made public, but this was not dono, and judging by your report, it is admitted that they were moving quietly. It almost in fact appeal's as if their obligation to do as mentioned was purposely omitted; and although tho law provides that after the first Board has been elected, no objections as to previous procedure can be upllcld, I think steps should at once bo taken by petition or otherwise to prevent the raising of the loan ot about £4OOO required, which has to obtain the approval of the Agricultural Department and the" Minister controlling it. Also, iu view of the apparently deliberately committed mistakes and omissions, steps should bo taken to obtain legislation to annul the recently constituted district and Board, and to amend tho Act, making it obligatory that proper notice ana publicity bo given, before a district is declared. As this Board may move quietly in accordr.nr© with tho apparent policy of the promoters, it is important that prompt action bo taken on the lines indicated, otherwise other parties may be involved in considerable expenditure in rates before they know anything about it. Tlio Waipara County or the Hurunui Rabbit Board district is sufficiently rated now without additional burdens being placed upon them, especially if it is for T orks from which they can reap no bonefit-. It is possible that very heavy burdens may be placed upon a few individuals to the sole benefit of this particular area.—Yours, etc., CONSTITUTIONAL METHODS. April 28th, 1926. »