THE SMALL BIRDS’ NUISANCE

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11558, 20 April 1898, Page 6

THE SMALL BIRDS’ NUISANCE

A conference of local bodies was held at the Road Board Office, Eangiora, yesterday afternoon/to' consider measures for effectively dealing with the; small birds’ nuisance. There.were present—Messrs G. Wallace (chairman) and D. Buddo, of the Mandevillo and Eangiora Road Board; Messrs Dobson’ and Philpot/ Ashley Board; Mr Hopkins, Eyreton; Messrs Kelly, Hunter and Addinell, West Eyreton; and Messrs Conway, O’Farrell and Kingsbury, Oust. Mr K. Moore, M.H.E./ was also present. After some discussion it was' resolved, ,on the motion of Mr Dobson, seconded by, Mr Buddo, that it should be a suggestion to the Minister of Land's to amend the Small Birds Nuisance Act so'as to make,it compulsory .on local bodies to spend during the months of June, ■ July and August hot less than three per cent of their , rates; and two per cent during the other parts of the year in measures for the destruction of small birds. It was also resolved that local bodies should be required to pay a uniform rate for the destruction of small birds; the rate to be fixed by the County Councils, or when the Counties Act is not in force, by a conference of the local bodies in each county. Mr O’Farrell moved that the following should bo the prices paid until legislation had taken effect: —2d per doz for eggs and heads for small birds; 4d per doz for young birds’ heads; 3d each for old blackbirds; and 4d per doz for old sparrows, linnets, and larks. This was seconded by Mr Dobson and carried. The meeting then terminated.