OBJECTIONS to THE POULTRY BY-LAW.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 126, 29 May 1900, Page 2

OBJECTIONS to THE POULTRY BY-LAW.

Ones again was the much- discussed poultry question brought under the novice, oi the City Council last night, a deputation headed Zy Messrs. W. Watson, K. E. Bannister, and Clark waiting on the Public Works Committee. Mr. Watson said there were three points the deputation wished to urge upon tha Couuoii with reference to the new by*aw regulating the keeping of poultry. Firstly, they would a^k that the distance which runs must be kept from dwelling-houses should be alteiecl from 50 feet to 25 feet, which was quite enough, as under the proposed system of inbpection the places must be kept in a perfectly sanitary condition. Secondly, with regard to the necessity of having the runs 10 feet from boundary fences. The deputation hoped that the Council would permit poultry fanciers and keepers to have the runs against neign bours' fences, provided the consent ol the neighbours was first obtained. The inclusion of pigeons in the by.aw Wa3 very hard on pigeon fanciers, and it was strongly urged that they should be excluded. iur. Clark, speaking on behalf of pigeon fanciers, dwelt on the hardship iif. Council proposed to inflict on them. There was a great imeronce between pigeon fanciers and keepers, and he agreed that the latter should be swept out of existence. But the fanciers in Wellington were icrupulously c.can, and they would ask that no restriction should be mado except as to licenses, which they were quite agreeable to. If the inspec tion were carried out the Council would find nothing else was required. In much more illicitly populated centres, including London, there were absolutely no restrictions on pigeons. He produced a picture showing tho Duke of York's house and pigeon "ioft combined. When kept perfectly clean there was no danger ■« hat ■ eser. Mr. Clark Teferred to the great usefulness and benefit to the State of homing pigeons, and showed how, elsewhere, in all countries of the world, every concession was granted, and the desire was shown to encourage rather than to discourage. In conclusion, he again strongly urged the Council to reconsider this matter, for the by.aw as it stood at present was piactically prohibitive. The Mayor promised that the deputation's representations would receive due consideration.