Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7066, 27 January 1933, Page 12

Foxton

MAN AW AT U BABBIT BOABD (From Our Own Correspondent.) Tlio monthly meeting of tho Manawatu Babbit Board was held at Foxton yesterday afternoon. Thoso piesent were Messrs. B. Or. Gower (chairman), W. E. Barber, J. F. McKelvie, F. C. Buikos, T. A. Grammer, B. Grant, the secretary (Mr. B. Kangiheuea) and the inspector (Mr. D. B. Barron). _ The latter, in reporting on conditions in the district, stated that during the past month ho had been engaged in the general inspection of properties, in the board’s area. The weather during the past month had been of a most varied character, and the country is drier at this period of tho year than it had ever been since the . board was formed. The work of rabbit destruction had been much harder to carry out during tho month for these reasons. During the month ho made out a circular regarding phosphorised pollard poisoning, and sent out this request to some sixty-odd farmers in the. board’s area, on whose property "cover ” existed. The date of the 22nd inst. was fixed for this work to bo begun, so that it could be as general and simultaneous as possible. From this period on he would follow up this circular with a personal inspection to see that the work had been carried out. Farmers had been kept busy for a very protracted period this year with haymaking, but it would be necessary for them to take greater pains than they had taken lately to cope with .the pest. There was a certain slackness apparent in Tegard to rabbit destruction and he would impress upon farmers the neccssity for consistent work in tins drrection. The spraying of lupin earned out in November was not. sueeesstui from an experimental point of view, and a further spraying was earned out at the beginning of this month, and so far results seemed to be perfectly satisfactory. Special attention had been paid during the month to inspections of properties in regard to ragwort. It seemed an extraordinary thing, that some farmers, despite warnings in the Press, lectures, etc., disregarded letters and advices sent them after an inspection of their properties when ragwort had been in evidence. No excuse could be found for not clearing this weed when informed of the fact. In several eases, prosecutions would follow, unless the clearing of this weed Was carried out more expeditiously. Finance The secretary submitted a financial statement /covering the period April . , 1932, to January 20, 1933, which . disclosed the following figures:—Becmpts: Balance as at 1/1/32, fclo 19s bd, rent rates, £237 IGb 3d; arrears of rates, £8 4s 9d; Government subsidy on rates, £247 7s I'd; poisons sold, £6* 10s 5d penalties, £1 8s lOd; unemployment refunds, £39 8s; miscellaneous, £j> 9*> 3d; total, £6lB 4s 6d. Payments: Salaries, £317 8s 4d; office expenses £4B 16s 4d; travelling expenses £7l Os Sd, inspector’s postages, £10; telephone rental £3 10s; poisons purchased, £6O 8s sd; unemployment, £3B 16s 8d; miscellaneous, £2O 10s lid; bank balance, £42 12s 8d; total, £6lB 4s 6d. Will Government Cancel Subsidies?

The secretary of the North Island Babbit. Boards’ Association wrote stating that the executive of that body was much concerned at tho possibility of the subsidy to Babbit Boards being reduced by the Government and probably withdrawn altogether. The association had been in communication with tho Minister in regard to tho matter, and while tho reply had been somewhat reassuring, the association was desirous of presenting as strong a case as possible against any further reduction and asked that the board forward details of the rates struck since its inception, adding that it had been found that most of the boards had considerably reduced their rates from year to year, which has meant a consequent drop in subsidy payable by thoGoveniment, which was strong proof that Babbit Boards were being run on sound economical lines. The secretary reported that he had already furnished the required information, which showed that the Manawatu Babbit Board, even allowing for a reduction of 2497 acres in the rateable area, had, gradually since it's inception in 1924,roduced its rates by 50 per cent, from 2d per acre to Id per acre. Unpaid Bates The board decided to impose a penalty of 10 per cent, on all rates remaining unpaid on February; 20. Enjoyable Dance The Foxton Tennis Club held a very enjoyable "gaiety dance” on Monday evening, when they entertained as their guests tho members of the Maranui Surf and Life Saving Club, Wellington. The hall was prettily decorated for the occasion with coloured streamers and was comfortably filled with dancers, included among whom were Visitors from other parts of tho district. Mr. G. Shaw (club captain) officiated as M.L., while tho music was supplied by Mr. L. Mattar, extras being contributed by Miss Cummings and Misses Woods and Boorc. Novelty dances held during the evening were won as follow: Spot waltz, Mr. M. Moffatt and Miss Cummings; Chicago foxtrot, Mrs. Hirim and partner. At a suitable juncture the Mayor (Mr. M. E. Ferreau) exten - ed a welcome to tho members of the visiting team and thanked the tennis