Mr McNab In Christchurch

Southland Times, Issue 12124, 2 May 1908, Page 2

Mr McNab In Christchurch

TALES ABOUT DAIRY EMULATIONS. Per United Preu Association. . CHRISTCHURCH, May XThe Hon. R. McNab, Minister of Lands, will pay a promised visit to Banks Peninsula to-day. Speaking to a reporter to-day the Hon. R. McNab said that it was Impossible to state when the ballot for the Culverden estate would take place. The. Government printer had the plans and other matters in hand and they would probably he ready soon. In regard to complaints that sheep were eating the fodder on the estate and depreciating its real value to the settlers, Mr McNab said that it was usual between the time of taklpg possession of an estate and disposing of the sections to make them revenue producing. The sheep placed on Culver ien would not do more than normal feeding. When possession was acquired there were about 9000 sheep on the whole estate. It had been arranged that 4000 should be taken off at the end of April, leaving 5000 on the estate, and he had given Instructions that these should be removed as soon as possible. The new regulations dealing with dairies, are only tentative, and It is possible that the system which they represent may not be considered the best to meet the requirements. The regulations would be given a year’s trial, and he gave an impression that if they do not prove to be satisfactory they may be done away with. He had recently had a long conversation with the officer in charge of the Victorian Department. There are no regulations in that State, and the matter is left to the inspectors, different stipulations being made to meet the conditions in different districts. “My own persona! leanings," said Mr McNab, "are towards having Intelligent and sensible Inspectors and to give power to appeal against their decisions to headquarters. In Victoria dairies are licensed, not registered, and Instead of bringing charges against them, the authorities in cases where it is impossible to Induce dairymen to take proper steps, refuse to grant licenses.’’