WARD SYSTEM WANTED

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 6

WARD SYSTEM WANTED

Remits Approved By Conference (From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, July 6. A remit' which sought “efforts for the early introduction of a ward system of representation ori rabbit boards,” was carried at the South Island Rabbit Boards’ Association annual conference today. Mr K. M. Baxter (South Ashburton) said such a system was essential. “The amalgamation of boards has worried us,” he told the conference. A remit which sought “legisla-: tion making it mandatory for boards to destroy hares and wallabies” was carried. A remit “that the 1955 Rabbit Nuisance Act be amended so that each ratepayer is entitled to a number of votes on the capital value of his property” was adopted. A North Canterbury proposal that the act be amended to provide that voting papers at an election be invalid unless the ratepayer voted for the required number of members was defeated. Other Remits Other remits carried were:— That a pilot scheme be introduced to demonstrate the most economic method of destroying hares (South Canterbury-North Otago). That the Rabbit Destruction Council be asked to submit for approval to boards, a scheme which will adequately finance hare destruction. That the current position concerning unoccupied Crown lands adjoining riverbeds is far from satisfactory. Many of the sections were covered in gorse and blackberry, said a note to the remit Neither the Crown, catchment boards, nor adjoining owners accepted responsibility for clearing because the actual boundary was not known. If an approach was made to the Lands Department and catchment boards some agreement might be reached. The cover should be cleared so that more effective destruction might be carried out. That this council notes with approval that a science officer is to be appointed to investigate practical methods of rabbit extermination and urges, the authorities to expedite the establishment of an adequate section to deal with this problem. That the association be asked to press for the appointment of officers to carry out field research in rabbit eradication work and that research into rabbit destruction be intensified. That in order to facilitate the ultimate eradication of rabbits, this conference urges the Rabbit Destruction Council to negotiate with local bodies about the noxious weeds problem. That the association press for the release of a method to destroy the sweet briai which is spreading at an alarming rate and is retarding the work of rabbit