Property Seized For Unpaid Rabbit Rates

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30419, 18 April 1964, Page 1

Property Seized For Unpaid Rabbit Rates

(New Zealand Pres* Association) HAMILTON, April 17. Bailiffs have seized property from three farmers who have refused to pay rates to the Matamata Rabbit Board.

The farmers are part of a group of seven from the Waio-rongomai-Wairakau district, near Te Aroha, who refused to obey a Court order issued last year, to pay the rate. The seven say the board should exercise its right and classify the land and make rate remissions where it is free of rabbits.

But distress warrants have been issued, and the Te Aroha police, acting as bailiffs, have taken possession of a tractor, a motor-mower and an electric heater so far. The chattels removed will be auctioned to recover the outstanding rates and the Court costs.

“We are still not going to pay the rates until the board makes its classification,” one of the farmers, Mr D. J. Burgess, said today. Last year, Mr Burgess led a deputation to Wellington and discussed rabbit board rates with the ParliamentaryLands and Agriculture Committee. under the chairmanship of Mr G. A. Walsh (Govt -Tauranga). Mr Burgess claimed there

were no rabbits on his property and he said he felt the rabbit rates should be on a classification basis. Soon after the discussions, the Rabbit Amendment Act was passed. Mr Burgess says the amended act gives the

Matamata Rabbit Board the power to remit rates on land where there are no rabbits, but the board has declined to do so. The seven farmers owe rates ranging from a few pounds to more than £33.