RABBIT BOARDS.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18944, 15 May 1933, Page 9

RABBIT BOARDS.

MATAMATA COUNTY. AMALGAMATION PROPOSAL. OPPOSED AT PRESENT. Opposition to the amalgamation of any of their districts was voiced at a meeting of rabbit boards held at Tirau. At ttie same time, it was. decided to urge tiie Government to appoint a commission to investigate the position throughout the oountvy. Mr J. W. Anderson (Malamata County Council) was in the chair. • The meeting was called to discuss possibilities of amalgamation of local rabbit authorities. Mr Alien (East Waikato) said that his board had considered the matter and was of opinion that nothing would be gained by amalgamation at present as the various rabbit districts were in different stages of cleanliness. It was also considered that his board’s district was large enough at present. Mr Campbell (Tokoroa) stated that Tokoroa and East Waikato districts should not amalgamate at present. After seven years’ operations only one man was now required to keep their area clean. Mr Lopdell (East Waikato), considered that when his hoard's district was fairly clear the question of atnal-

gamatlon could be investigated, and was of opinion that ultimately the whole of the Waikato district might be controlled by one board. , Mr Payze (Perla) said that his board had taken in more territory at Richmond Downs and would be willing to extend Its boundaries up the Uinuera Valley if the remainder of the “no man’s land” wore taken control of by another hoard. His board was not willing to take in any portion of the Taotaoroa district. The Perla Board considered tiiat no reduction in administration expenses could be effected by amalgamation and that at presont impaired service would result. Mr Rollelt (Peria) supported Mr Payze’s remarks. The chairman suggested that differential rating would overcome the question of fairly clean and infested areas being amalgamated. Loosening of Control. Mr Jeans (Whitehall) said that his board did not wish to extend its boundaries and tiiat amalgamation would tend to loosen control if brought into effect at present. The uncontrolled area would be a tough proposition for any board to handle. Mr Payze said that Mr J. L. Morris had stated that seniors in the Taotaoroa and Karapiro districts were opposed to inclusion in a rabbit district. but that local control was very necessary Hiere. Mr Jeans staled that some of the Whitehall district was stilt fairly badly infested, lie agreed that the neighbouring area should be controlled. Mr Payze said that Peria district was fairly clean at present.

The chairman suggested that it was obvious that the hoards were opposed to any amalgamation at present. Mr Rollett pointed out that no saving could bo effected by amalgamation of districts. Mr Allen (East Waikato) stated that uncontrolled country would always give trouble to neighbouring boards. ' It was decided that, while the delegates present were against amalgamation of any of their districts at present, the Government he urged to appoint a commission to investigate the position throughout’ the country. It was also decided that Mr Bruce be asked to call a meeting of Taotaoroa and Karapiro ratepayers to discuss the advisability of the formation of a new board to control these areas or to have them included in the areas of existing hoards and that Mr Munro of Hie Agriculture Department bo asked to address the ratepayers on the subject of "abbit extermination.