COUNTY COUNCILS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10104, 1 August 1893, Page 3

COUNTY COUNCILS.

CONFERENCE AT ASHBURTON. A conference of Chairmen of County Councils regarding the small bird nuisance and other matters was held at Ashburton yesterday; present—Messrs John Qrigg (Ashburton County Council, in the chair), W. Balfour (Geraldine County Council), D. M’Millsn (selwyn County Council) and J. Milne (Mackenzie County Council). Several letters were read from public bodies upon the question of the small bird nuisance. The members present were of opinion that something more must be done to cope with the nuisance. They all agreed that the present Act gave them sufficient power, but needed to be carried out in a more systematic manner all over the country. The following resolution was carried unanimously :—(1) “ That with reference to tho destruction of small birds, it is necessary that a uniform system should be adopted in the several Road Boards and Counties. (2) That inasmuch as the towns and cities constitute some of the chief breeding places, the boroughs should ba compelled to assist in abating the nuisance. (8) That the poisoning by local bodies be made compulsory, by Government bringing Clause 7 of the Sfuall Birds Act into active operation wherever the work is not effectually dona by the local bodies. (4) That a uniform rate of 2Jd per dozen be paid for the collection of eggs and heads by the several local bodies.”

It was further resolved that copies of the resolutions passed should ba sent to all County Councils and Road Boards within the five Counties represented. The conference then proceeded to consider the Noxious Weeds Bill now before the House of Representatives. Mr Grigg pointed out that some of the most dangerous weeds, such as the wild turnip, were not included in the Bill at all, and that many that were included were comparatively harmless. The other members agreed that the Bill in its present form was quite unworkable, as it would ruin a large number of men in the country if they were compelled to comply with its demands. The* following resolutions were passed bearing on tbe subject: —“ That the Noxious Weeds Bill is, in the opinion of this meeting, quite impracticable, as drawn, and would be most oppressive to farmers; that the most important consideration is to prevent the seeds of weeds in Schedule B herewith (wild turnip, fat hen and Canadian thistle, Agrostic vulgaris) being sold with other seeds, or in any way; that the eradication of several of the weeds in the schedules cs printed _ is virtually impossible; that legislation should therefore give a discretionary power to local bodies as to eradication, but not with reference to the sale of seeds; with reference to the clearing of gorse, &e., from Government reserves and Crown lands, the work should be done at the cost of the Government; that with reference to clearing of river-beds, inasmuch as they are already under the control of County Councils, tho work should be left entirely at their discretion; that with reference to the cutting and cleaning of fences, ample provision ia already made, bo far as is necessary, under the Public Works and Road Boards Act?, aud also ns between neighbouring properties ia the Fencing Act; that copies of the above suggestions be forwarded to tbe Minister for Lands, Messrs Eolleaton, Rhodes, Wright, HallJonea, Saunders, Steward, Meredith and Blake.”

Mr Milne, on behalf of the Mackenzie County Council, brought before tho notice of the conference the rapid manner in which the rabbits were making their way north, and suggested that the whole of tho County Councils should unite in an endeavour to check the pest. He blamed the large land-owners in his district fqr letting the rabbits get such a hold as they undoubtedly now had, but unless some vigorous steps were taken at once, they would scon over-run the whole of Canterburj. Mr Grigg thought that a good deal of the blame was due to the incompetenoy of the Rabbit Inspectors, but as Ashburton hod practically no interest in the subject, and the law already provided for the formation of Rabbit Boards, be did not think the Ashburton Council could do anything ia the matter. Oa the motion of Mr M’Millan, seconded by Mr Milne, it was decided to ask the Government to make certain alterations in die mode of preparing the County electors’ rolls under “The Counties Act, 1886.”

After several minor matters had been discussed, a vote of thanks to the Chairman, moved by Mr M’Mill'm, concluded the meeting.