Farmers Critical Of Bay Dog Control Measures

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1948, Page 4

Farmers Critical Of Bay Dog Control Measures

GHAEAWAI, Wed. (Sp.) .—Outspoken criticism of the Bay of Islands County Council's handling of clog registration in the district was heard at a well-attended meeting of the OhaeawaiWaimate North branch of Federated Farmers in the RSA clubrooms on Monday evening. None of the 20 branch members present could recall having seen a “dog-tax man” round their farms in the past four years.

Three Waimate rrarm farmers, Messrs H. K. Hatrick. S. F. Mountain and H. T. Atkinson —the last-named is chairman of the Bay County Council — had had sheep killed by dogs, it was stated. Mr Atkinson had even had to patrol his flocks at night. Others had seen dogs at their evil work and had had sheep worried in widely-scattered areas. Four collarless dogs, it was stated, had been shot. SETTLING CROWN LANDS An Auckland remit under discussion related to the opening up by the Government of Crown lands for settlement. All speakers strongly favoured this move, considering that the Government would be the only body capable of finding the materials for the developmental work. There were still many ex-service-men awaiting rehabilitation on the land and made farms could not be acquired fast enough to satisfy the demand. PETROL RATIONING Considerable discussion centred round the position of farmers with regard to petrol rationing. Inequalities and anomalies were pointed out in respect of neighbouring farmers applying to different local fuel controllers. The subject was raised by Mr H. N. Ross.

It was resolved to suggest that rationing to farmers should be on a sliding scale of six gallons to a farmer living up to 10 miles from his shopping centre, 10 gallons for a man from 10 to 20 miles away and 15 gallons for residents 20 to 30 miles distant.