THE SPARROW NUISANCE.— A REMEDY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1801, 22 January 1884, Page 2

THE SPARROW NUISANCE.— A REMEDY.

At the meeting of the Cambridge Road Board held on Saturday last, Mr James Forrest brought under notice the matter of the road boards taking in hand the settling of the sparrow nuisance. As they were all aware he had been in the past a waim advocate of the .sparrows being introduced into New Zealand. He believed in some particulars the sparrows were a very good institution, but there was such a thing as having too much of a good thing. He noticed Mr Jno. Arnold had a crop of about ten acres of wheat which was altogether ruined by the pest. This was one thing in which he wished to see the vaiious road boards combine ; for unless they took united action in the matter all attempts in the direction of destroying the sparrows would be futile. Considering to what evtent the settlers were concerned in this matter it was the duty of the road boards to see that something definite was done, and done at once. He would suggest that the clerk write to the various boards, laying the matter before them and soliciting their earnest co-operation. The .surfacemen could be supplied with the necessary quantity of poisoned wheat, and on the day fixed for the purpose scatter it simultaneously on all the roads throughout the district. The best time for doing the work wasbefoie the sowing, &,iy in the early part of July. — Mr Allwill supported the movement, and recounted his experience in the matter. In Canterbury the county councils had taken the work in hand, and had not succeeded, nor had the efforts of the sparrow clubs been successful. The road boards had taken the task in hand, and in the way referred to by Mr Forrest had succeeded. A special rate could be levied to defray the expense, which, considering the benefit to be derived, was comparatively small. The surfacemen of the boards so co-operating could take, say two days for the work, and go through the entire district.— lt was unanimously agreed to give effect to Mr Forrest's suggestion.