Farmers Seek Survey Of Chatham Islands

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32232, 26 February 1970, Page 8

Farmers Seek Survey Of Chatham Islands

“This is a continuing story. Peyton Place has nothing on it,” the chairman of the North Canterbury provincial executive of Federated Farmers (Mr W. N. Dunlop) said yesterday after a letter from the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) had been read to the executive. The letter was a reply to a request .by the executive for an economic survey of the Chatham Islands to be carried out. Mr Seath said that while he could understand the disappointment felt by the executive at the decision not to undertake the survey, such a survey should be carried out thoroughly if the greatest benefit was to be obtained from it. “As I pointed out in my letter of November 17, the heavy workload of the Department of Industries and Commerce precludes that department making available skilled staff both on the scale and length of time which would be involved.” “We’re just getting nowhere,” said Mr G. J. S. Barker. “If they haven’t got the men to do the work then I they should get a private firm I to do it. “Something should be done ito prove whether there is .economic potential on the ' Chatham Islands or not.” The chairman (Mr W. N. i Dunlop) said that for the 10 years he had been an officer i of the executive the Chatham i Islands problem had been I pursued. ,

There had been partial sur--1 veys and all sorts of state- • ments made. The vital point I was not the cost of a survey ■ but whether or not the right I thing was being done on the 1 islands. I A motion was passed that 1 the Government should be asked to carry out a full survey, and if the Government , could not do it, to get a pri- ; vate firm to do it on behalf , of the Government. Pigeon Problem . The executive agreed to . accept an offer made by Mr . P. C. Bull, the senior zoolo- . gist with the animal ecology ! division of the D.S.I.R. to t look at the problem of feral pigeons eating sown grain and I seeds. Mr Bull wrote saying that . he had not realised that feral , pigeons had such strong sup- . port from the acclimatisation I societies, and that a survey . of the extent of the damage , the birds caused should be carried out. j He said no poisoning trials could be promised this year . but a small scale trial using . alpha-chloralose might be , combined with a look at the j problem at a suitable time. 1 Medical Services The executive agreed that i Messrs Dunlop and J. H. A. 5 Hollis should represent Feds erated Farmers on a working party being formed by the . North Canterbury Hospital ) Board to prepare a plan for r better medical services in t country areas. The first meet--1 ing of the group will be on March 12.