THE BUSY BEE.

Grey River Argus, 5 March 1929, Page 3

THE BUSY BEE.

Apiary at Cobden. CAUSES ANNOYANCE TO RESIDENTS. As the result of a complaint received from three ratepayers, pointing out the nuisance caused by another resident’s apiary, iu the town area, the Cobden Town Hoard ar< placed in the peculiar position that while it recognises fully, the good grounds for complaint, it has no power to compel the removal of the apiary. The nuisance was the subject of lengthy eomuZent at last evening ’a meeting of the Board. Commissioner Uddstrom stated that he had investigated the matter, aud the people were justified in making a complaint. lie had so idea that bees could “make such a mess of ■things”. There were also eases of children being stung, but he did not 'think the Board had power to take action.

The Chairman: It is hard for us to act. The only course opeu would be to (take the mutter to the Magis-1 trate’s Court and prove that the apiary was a nuisance. Commissioner Wimsett, stated that his children ,had received stings from the bees. There were from 25 to 30 hives, and the doctor who attended his children said that they would have to be kept away from the bees. This meant that they were not able to play in their own yard, but had to be kept inside the house, for safety. The women, in the neighbourhood cannot wash on a day when the bees are active, as the clothes become discoloured with the pollen. They had to wait for a cold day. The Chairman: They certainly have the sympathy of the Board, but what can we dot

The Health Inspector said that he had made enquiries and the Board could onfly act, if they had a by-law dealing with the matter. Perhaps it would be best for the people affected to take action.

The Town Clerk read a copy of an opinion given to another Local Bbdy, by Mr T. F. Martin, Municipal Associations’ solicitor, which stated <hat under the Apiary Act, no locality for the keeping of an apiary was provided. Commissioners unanimously agreed that the bees in question were a uusiance. The windows and parts of the houses in the neighbourhood were smothered with pollen, iCommissioner Wimsett said that under the present state of things, nothing would be left., but for the people residing near the aviary, to sell their properties and get out. The Board desired to dispose of the sections in the area, but when the nuSsancc had been pointed out to prospective applicants, they became scared to take up the sections. Every year the hives were being increased. Children had tG be locked up when the bees were swarming. Conimissioner Uddstrom: The only chance we have is to pass a by-law. I wouldn’t like to live there for any money.

Commissioner Walker suggested that the people combine to take civil action against the owner to enforce the removal of the bees. Commissioner We should combine wi'th the people concerned, and take it to Court. These people pay rates, and we are bound to see that they are not inconvenienced. The Chairman: Have the people ’made a direct protest to the owner Commissioner Wimsett: There has been one continual complaint, and he is expecting to receive word from the Board. Commissioner Millar suggested that a deputation of two, be appointed r to interview the owner. Comnfiisslioner Uddstrom: Two! You will want a whole crowd tc fight those bees. Commissioner? The bees will get enough off you, Charlie. (Laughter). It was resolved that Commissioner Millar aud Uddstrom be appointed a deputation to wait on the owner of the apiary, to endeavour to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement, and report back to the Board.