RABBIT PEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10509, 13 February 1928, Page 3

RABBIT PEST.

EAST 00'AST BOARD'S NEW BOUND ARifES. DEPARTMENTAT- OOXDITTOXS NOT AGREED TO. CPPOSfriOX TO PROTECTION OF AFFORESTATION LAND. The proposed alteration pi boundaries of the East Coast Rabbit Board’s district, from Rangataiki river to the Whoao river, recently suggested by Mr. D. Munro, principal inspector of the Department of Agriculture for the Auckland district., are acceptable to this board, but it’ Will not accept any conditions in agreeing to the new boundaries. The, condition which the Department sought to impose is that reimbursment for any money spent by the board on Crown Native lands rabbiting work in the new area should not be claimed from the Gov eminent because the Government would he taking over certain private lands now in the board’s territory which they r would have to ‘'rabbit.' When the question, was further discussed at the RalJbit Board meeting on Saturday, the chairman. Air. B M. Hutchinson, explained that tinproposal had first been put forward at the bust meeting of the board, but as ttie board did not know what sum would be involved, Inspector Burgess had been asked to go into the question, and advise the board. He, tin chairman, was of the opinion that >' was not light that the hoard should agree to any alterations to the boundaries when there was such a condition attached, and even if they did agree to Air. Munro’s suggestion, the mat ter aoulcl have to go beloiy the authorities in Wellington before it could be given elfect to. Ibe bourn was constituted for the purpose ol protecting the slieepfarmers—not to protect afforestation coinpairccs win paid not a penny in rates to tin board. He Mould move that a rep be sent to the effect that the 'boaW was in favor of the proposed alterations to the boundaries, but that i could accept no conditions. ALr. E. M. Aloncktoii: Wc (should be very careful in allowing any con ditions at all The chairman: If we start making precedents of this sort there is n< knowing where it will end Continuing, the- chairman express i'd doubt as to -what the board Monk have to do if the Department refused to alter the boundaries; if tie board had to rabbit private lands iwould cost about £GeO, and they would get nothing in rates for it. Air. Al. T. Trafford: -Is there- m remedy? Can we net claim the cos; from ihe owners of tin? land? The chairman explained that the could not be done. He added that Ik Mas very much opposed to expendim. the board’s money for the protectioi of afforestation land. The chairman’s motion was carried and it was further agreed that th only workable solution to the problen would be lor tile Department to tak< over the whole of the private lam and look alter it itself. Air. Trafford: No promise was glv, cm to Air. ’ The chairman: No. it Mas resolved to urge the Department to take over the new lane •vs suggested, and to make the bound arms and handle the land in its owi