THE CODLIN MOTH BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9075, 8 June 1888, Page 3

THE CODLIN MOTH BILL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, You are aware that a great number of small gardens exist in all directions around Auckland, many of them containing not more than half-a-dozen fruit trees. Each of those small gardens will be brought under the provisions of the Act, equally with orchards containing three or four , thousand trees ; and the owners of the small ' gardens will be subject to the same heavy penalties as the owners of the larger ones ! The provisions of section 9 will prove very perplexing to many owners'of small gardens; and it is expected that they will destroy their trees rather than comply with its provisions. The Act, if passed, will no doubt be the means of crushing all small gardens out of existence, not only around Auckland, but throughout the colony ; and yet it is said the Act is not intended to be oppressive !— am, &c., No Vandal.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—lt appears to me most unjust to impose a tax on trees which have not commenced bearing, as some varieties of apples and many of pears do not bear until considerably more than four years old. And is it not equally unjust to tax trees from which the first few apples have been plucked—a practice resorted to by persons owning orchards on poor land who wish their trees to become larger before their growth is checked by carrying a full crop ? Certainly, pulling the fruit off directly it is set, and. destroying it, is the most effectual way of keeping the moth down. s Some people may object that the Inspectors' time would be wholly taken up counting the non-bearing trees, but surely if the Act is to do any good the inspection must be thorough.—l am, &c., Subscriber. 7th June, 1888.