THE DOG TAX.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 535, 22 January 1913, Page 5

THE DOG TAX.

DISCUSSED BY COUNCIL. A much debated question in the district was discussed at the County Council meeting on Monday evening, when the matter of fixing the dog tax for the ensuing year came up for consideration. The chairman (Mr A. Scholes) said he was of op'nion that the tax levied last year was the moat suitable and equitable, viz., half-a-crown for sheep and cattle dogs and five shillings for all other dogs. Cr Berry said he differed from the chairman. He considered those people who kept dogs for the destruction of rabbits should have every consideration. and it was not fair to penalise them to the exteut of double tax. He thought terriers should be taxed at the same rate as sheep and cattle dogs. The chairman said there was something in the contention, perhaps, but there were better methods of coping with rabbits, and the difficulties of collecting the tax would be increased by making too many exemptions. There would be some peculiar terriers in the district, besides there were other rabbit dogs apart from the terrier breed.

Crs O'Dwyer and Smyth agreed with Cr Berry, and supported the principle of allowing settlers to keep rabbit dogß. Eventualy it was decided to include terriers in the half-crown division.