HUNTERVILLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 118, 21 May 1932, Page 3

HUNTERVILLE

RABBIT BOARD AREA DIVIDED A special meeting of the Huntorvillc Rabbit Board was held on Thursday, Mr L. E. Weston presiding. Also present: Messrs J. Leslie Lambert, Alex McDonald, Grant Simpson, F. J. Soler, and C. W. Newport. The meeting was held to arrange details of the proposal carried at ast meeting to divide the district into two cr three areas and appoint two or three inspectors. Ihe cha :r m'-i reported on behalf of the committee appointed to study the map and make a recommendation as to areas. He preferred to lay down the duties first and attend to the areas later. He said it was understood that the inspectors were to be working in specters, and ho thought it was agreed that the man was firstly to be an in spector and a rabbit catcher second. They cou’d not lay the duties hard and fast but could agree generally. The inspectors were to organise work on the farms and to destroy some rabbits.

Mr Simpson said in the past when times were good, farmers did not mind employing rabbiters, but not conditions had altered. They had all agreed that the onus to destroy rabbits was still on the landowner. People must not run away with the idea that the inspectors were to do all the work f «r them. The inspectors could do much with a gun and poison in their travels and must help in bad spots, but farmers must do their own work. The board must be fair to all and get the best results for the money available. A short discussion took place. Mr Soler suggested the following duties of the inspectors:—

1. To reside in his area at convenient points to minimise travelling. 2. To organise necessary rabbit destruction work and give any necessary instruction and demonstrations. 3. To furnish reports and diaries tc the board. 4. To actually take part in the work of killing the rabbits. 5. To be an inspector of noxious weeds. 6. To carry a rifle. 7. To advise the board where legal action is necessary. 8. To obtain permission of property owners before laying poison. The chairman moved that the suggestions he adopted with the exception of No. 4, which was unnecess|ry, as the inspectors were to be working inspectors. This was agreed to. The chairman said that having a rough idea of duties for inspectors, the meeting discuss the areas which, he said, a sub-committee had set • taking the pest into consideration. Tho matter was discussed and the committee’s decision found satisfactory subject to adjustment. Mr McDonald spoke in favour of three areas, stating that, better results were certain, and moved that the district be divided into there areas. Mr Lambert seconded the motion. Mr Newport favoured the three blocks, stating that it also conform with the wishes of the ratepayers’ meeting held recently. The chairman said that he thought the ratepayers' meeting should not be introduced into the question. The meeting had not been a representative meeting, not being advertised properly. If it had been advertised and all ratepayers given the opportunity to attend it would have had some bearing on the matter, but he considered, under the circumstances, it should be left out of the question. Mr Simpson pointed out that whatever was adopted it would only be on trial and the Board should have a fair run at their scheme. He believed that the three areas would be the best scheme and would meet with the approval of the ratepayers. The motion was put and carried.

Mr Lambert moved that three men be employed, if married, at £l5, a month and single men at £l2 a month. This did not meet with approval, and Mr Simpson said that he thought the present men should be kept on witho"t the unnecessary expense 'of calling applications. Mr McDonald favoured calling applications and the best men be appointed without being introduced. The chairman said that this seemed to cast an inference that the board had employed incompetent men. Mr McDonald said that some ratepayers thought so. The chairman pointed out that the board should act as a board and do what it thought best, and not be biased by what was said outside. Mr McDonald continued in a similar strain, but was called to order, and Mr Simpson moved that applications be called for three men at £l5 per month. This was carried. SMALL FARM SCHEME HUNTERVILLE COMMITTEE The following committee has been appointed under the Unemployment Board’s small farm scheme. Messrs Lloyd Hammond. B. Illston, P. Weston, W. Morton, E. O. Pryce. UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE A meeting of the executive of the Unemployment Committee was held last night. Present: Messrs R. G. Dalziell, N. Boyne, R. A. Gordon, W. O’Brien, E. J. Hurley, D. D. Simpson, R. M. S. Jones. Air Dalziell presided. The secretary reported that unemployed men were satisfied with the meat being supplied.

Members had inspected the second consignment of meat, and reported it was quite good. A circular from the Unemployment Board stated that where farmers were in a position to do so they should contribute towards the cost of over t liefence work. It was stated that the Minister of Agriculture had stated that farmers

0. Mrs Hayes scored all three goals for the winners. Men’s Games. —Pakeha 3, defeated Rovers 1. For the winners, goal were scored by W. Robinson (2) and F. Bray. Dripps scored for Rovers. Y.M. 5, defeated Wanderers 0. For Y.M. goals were registered by K. Robinson (3), and Keats (2).

should have free labour to destroy noxious weeds. A member: So where are we? Mr Simpson: There appears to be too many departments and these are contradictory. The chairman said there was only a small proportion of farmers able to pay. Mr Jones thought that the board only exepected farmers to pay who were in a position to do so. Applications under 4a scheme were approved.* A Rumour Exploded Tho chairman said there had boon talk about firewood cutting. As a member of the County Council it cast a reflection on him and the certifying officer should have approached him instead of ringing the county engineer. Two places had been mentioned. In one instance the farmer was paying the man on extra days to cut firewood. In the other instance uenmploycd men had not cut a stick of firewood. Mr Boyne explained that he rang Mr Mair because he heard two men speaking on .he street about a farmer selling wood cut by unemployed labour. He was under the impression that Mr Mair was in touch w’th the nucstion. The chairman said he accepted Mr Boyne’s explanation, but Mr Mair deputed that work to Mr Dukeson. The unemployed men were not cutting firewood. Mr Simpson said he had heard that one farmer was selling wood cut by unemployed. He was pleased to hear this was not so. The chairman said the unemployed men had been used for stumping, but not for cutting firewood, which was an entirely different question. Air Jones said stumping was quite suitable work, and all members of the committee were quite satisfied that everything was quite in order. Allotting Men The chairman said he thought Sunday night was too late to allot the men for Monday morning work. Last week Mr Dukeson only received the list on Sunday night. Air Boyne explained that last week the allotment of funds arrived on Friday, usually it was known earlier. He put tho list in the county box on Saturday morning. Air Dukes-on could have rang up and enquired. Air Boyne reported that £26 was available for next week, and that would permit all men receiving full work.