COUNTY COUNCILS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4711, 1 August 1893, Page 1

COUNTY COUNCILS.

CONFERENCE AT ASHBURTON. A conference of Chairmen of County Councils regarding the small bird nuisance aud other matters wad held at Aahburton yesterday ; present — Messrs John Grigg (Ashburton Countj Council, in the chair), W. Balfour (Geraldine County Council), D. M'Millan (Selwyn County Council) and J. Milne (Mackenzie County Council). The following resolution was carried unanimously: — (1) "That with reference to the destruction of small birds, it is necessary that a uniform system should be adopted in the several Road Boards and Counties. (2) That inasmuch as the towns and cities constitute come of the chief breeding places, the borougha should be compelled to assist in abating the nuisance. (3) That the poisoning by local bodies be made compulsory, by Government bringing Clause 7 of the Small Birds Act into active operation wherever the work 19 nob effectually done by the local bodies. (4) That a uniform rate of ,2£d per doz:n be paid for the collection of eggs and head* by the several local bjdie-." It .was further resolved that copies of the resolutions paaßed should' be sent to all County Councils and Road Boards within the five Counties represented. The conference then proceeded to consider the Noxious Weeds Bill now before the House of Representatives. ■ The following resolutions were passed bearing on the subject: — "That the Noxious Weeda Bill is, in the opinion of this meeting, quite impracticable, as drawn, and would be most oppressive to farmers; that the most important consideration is to prevent the seeds of weeds in Schedule B herewith (wild turnip, fat hen arid Canadian thistle, Agrostic vulgaris) being sold with other seeds, or in any way ; that the eradication of several ot the weeds in the schedules as printed is virtually impossible; .that legislation should therefore give a discretionary power to local bodies as to eradication, but not with reference to the sale of seeds ; with reference to the clearing of gorse, &c, from Government reserves and Crown lands, the work should be done at the cost of the Government; that with reference to clearing of river-beds, inasmuch as they are already under the control of County Councils, the work should be left entirely at their discretion 5 that with reference to the cutting arid cleaning of fences,. ample provision is already made, so far as is necessary, under the Public Works and Road Boards Act', aud also as between neighbouring properties in the Fencing Act ; that copie3 of the above suggestions be forwarded to tho Minister for Lands, Messrs Rolleston, Rhodes, Wright, HallJones, . Saunders, Steward, Meredith and Blake." . ' Mr Milne, 6a' behalf of the Mackenzie County Council, brought before the notice, of the. conference the rapid manner in which the rabbits were making their way north, and suggested that the whole of the County Councils should unite in an endeavour to check the peet. He blamed the large laud-owners ia his district for letting the rabbits get such a hold as they undoubtedly . now had, but unless some vigorous steps were taken: at once, they would soom over-run the whole of Canterbury.. .•■-.- ■... • ...-.-' ,-4_ Mr Grigg* thought th&t a good* deal of the blame waa due to the incompetency of the Rabbit Inspectors, but as Ashburton had practically, no interest in the subject, and the law already provided for the formation of Rabbit Boards, ho did not think'- the' Ashburton Council could do anything in the matter. On the motion of Mr M'Millan, seconded by Mr Milne, it was decided to ask. the. Government to make certain alterations in the mode of preparing the County electors' rolls under "The Counties Act, 1886." After several minor matters had been discussed, a vote of thanks to tho Chairman, moved by Mr M'Mijlan, concluded the meeting.