CATCHMENT BOARD’S POLICY

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25548, 16 July 1948, Page 2

CATCHMENT BOARD’S POLICY

MEETINGS WITH FARMERS TO DISCUSS BY-LAWS From Our Own Reporter TIMARU, July 13. The by-laws of the South Canterbury Catchment Board, and in particular those relating to burning in the high country, have been widely discussed at the third series of meetings between groups of runholders in various parts of the board’s district and the board’s pastoral liaison officer (Mr C. J. Kerr). Some members of the board have also attended these discussions, which are held so that board members may meet men in their own districts ana explain to them the board’s policy. Meetings have so far been held at Methven, Mount Peel, Te Moana, Sherwood Downs, Burkes Pass and Mangati. with three still to be held at Mount Nessing, Waimate, and Waihaorunga. The burning by-laws prohibit burning unless a permit is obtained from Mr Kerr as soil conservator. In practice runholders wishing to burn apply in writing to the soil conservator, who then issues them with maps of thdir runs, on which they mark the areas they desire to burn. The permit, if granted, is embodied in a printed form, This year the maps are being supplied to runholders at the group meetings. By. retailing these the board will have a record of all burning in its area. The object of these regulations is to eliminate indiscriminate burning by making necessary burning a seasonal occupation. At the meetings, which have been attended by about 90 per cent, of runholders, agreement hap been expressed with the need for some sort of restriction in burning, but most foothills’ runholders especially, have asserted that some burning is necessary. The land utilisation by-laws of the board, which contain wide powers as to changing the kind of stock or use of the land, restricting the numbers of stock, or complete elimination of stock from specified areas, have also been considered.