ST. KILDA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19147, 15 April 1924, Page 11

ST. KILDA BOROUGH COUNCIL

Tho regular meeting of tho St. Kilda Borough Council, held last evening, was attended by the Mayor (Mr C. Todd), Councillors Edgar, .Leary, Hall, Beattie, Adam, Longworth, Telfer, and Fleming. Tho town dork, Dunedin wrote on April 2 that the Water Committee had desired him to communicate with the Borough Council in regard to water shortage. The position became daily more serious in view of the absence of rain, and it therefore behoved all those who were in any way concerned with tho water supply to take every possible moans to prevent the wastage of water. It was feared that there was still considerable wastage. The council was again asked to take the matter into consideration and institute a strict inspection. A court conviction generally had a salutary effect, and it was suggested that the Borough Council should, if necessary, take such steps as it might consider to secure a prosecution and conviction. Unless ample rain came within a brief period it would be essential that tho most, drastic restrictions should be put into force. The Mayor said that they appreciated tho position thoroughly. A few might not be doing so, but it was difficult to detect them. He had been about but ho could not find anything wrong. He was satisfied tliat most people wore doing their best to conserve both water and light.—lt was resolved that a reply be sent that the council and the inhabitants were doing their utmost to conserve tho water. A fine was not required. The Rugby Football Union wrote asking for the use of Alexandra Park for the forthcoming season on tho same terms as previously.—Granted on tho usual terms. Messrs N. and E. 8. Paterson forwarded a proposed subdivision of allotments 14 and 15, Block VI. Tainui. —Tho opinion was expressed that there was no necessity for such a subdivision. There was plenty of land over at Tainui. If these houses were going to be put up on a section people were going to be cramped, and a slum area was going to be created. —It was resolved that tho by-law as it stood bo adhered to as regards area. Mr G. N. Thompson, 7 Bird street, wrote at length with regard to a shod on nis section. Ho had asked Messrs Ellis and Glue to erect a house for him, and had requested them to obtain a permit to build tho shed. Ho had been surprised at being informed that ho had broken tho law. which he had no desire to do. Ho was fully prepared to carry out the wishes of the council, and asked that tho shed might remain whore it was. —Mr G. Stratton wrote similarly with regard to a shod erected by him on a section in Bay View road. —It was explained that both Mr Thomson and Mr Stratton were buildiqg these sheds up against the boundary fence, which was being used as a back wall. —-The Mayor read a clause in tho Act which allowed « municipal’ authority to modify the by-law under certain circumstances in connection with erecting buildings on sections. —It was resolved that the strict letter of the by-law be adhered to, which was equivalent to a refusal to allow the sheds to remain where they were. Tho Drainage Board forwarded a resolution passed by it fixing tho sewerage rates and. tile collection thereof.—Received. The Northern Assurance Co. wrote thni it regretted noticing the council was considering placing its insurance with four local companies. The company trusted that the council would see its way to recover its insurance on a building and contents at the corner of Prince Albert road and Council street, St. Kilda. —Received. The Inspector of Health wrote forwarding the form of application to bo made in connection with the registration of eating houses, and suggested that tho renewal of registration should bo fixed at July 1 in each year, so as to coincide with the date of hotel licenses, and thus enable one inspection do for both the local authority and the Licensing Bench.—Agreed to. Tlio accounts passed for payment amounted to £846. In connection with tho statement of sinking funds the Mayor mentioned that they had paid off during the year principal on their loans to tho extent of £6OO. Mr Stuart G. M'Donald was appointed to tho position of assistant clerk. RABBIT PROSECUTIONS. TO THB KDITOR. Sir, — Tim farming community is noted for the variety of its membership. Some are possessed of great physical strength and endurance fitting them for hard work and hardship; many, on the other hand, lock those qualities. Others excel in business ability and efficiency, many are oppressed by “ pecuniary difficulties.” while a few are possessed of riches. The land itself also varies in its fertility, its capacity to carry improvements, and its adaptability for rabbit propagation or rabbit destruction. Our lawmakers hitherto have endeavoured to “level up” this unevenness in men and property with a bludgeon. I have known farmers in sore financial straits to have heavy fines imposed on them, simply for the reason that neighbours in more favourable circumstances have been able to reduce the rabbits on their land.

A large meeting was convened some years ago in Dunedin, and attended by Dr Ecakea. At this meeting a wide range of "methods of destruction” wag advocated. Three men however, expressed views that should have appealed to the Director of Agriculture. One advocated co-operation instead of coercion; another stressed the importance of cheap ■wire-netting; while the third spoke of the importance of finance as the main factor in rabbit destruction. The writer certainly expected Dr Henkes to co-ordinate these important elements into a satisfactory whole, but that expectation has been vain. Once a block of land is cleared of rabbits it must be isolated immediately or it will quickly revert to its former state. This means a considerable outlay in wire-netting. Note that the Government has raised the duty on wire-netting. Co-operation must exist between at least three parties to rabbit destruction —namely, the Government, Die farmer, and the rabbiter; and there is one factor that governs the whole movement, and that is finance. A struggling farmer paying 8 per cent, on his overdraft is scarcely in a position to co-operate with anyone outside his moneylender. The rabbiter will not, and cannot, work for nothing, and so the Department of Agriculture, with the bludgeon of an inequitable law, can scarcely hope for any bettor results than it i» ingI would venture to advocate cheap money, plenty of wire-netting at a reasonable figure, and a uniform price for rabbilskins the whole year round as a practical attempt at solving’ the vexed question of rabbit contr.-l. —I am, etc., PakMKU.