THE SPARROW QUESTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 339, 9 May 1881, Page 2

THE SPARROW QUESTION.

To the Editor. Sir, —Please allow me a small space in your valuable paper to comment on our Waterton half-crown Sparrow Club. I certainly was defeated in my proposition at the meeting, but, at the same time, I am not ashamed for what I said to be published. I proposed that every farmer should pay a half-penny per acre over twenty-four acres, and a charge of two shillings for anything under, and the poisoned wheat to bo given free according to the size of the farm ; also a proportion to go to pay the boys for the eggs and young birds. I think it is fair that every fanner should give according to the size of his farm. For instance, has any man a right to pay for a thousand acres if he has only fifty ? Not likely. The Club has made a charge of two and sixpence, and members and non-members get poisoned wheat at cost price, and I have already heard a farmer say that if he could get wheat the same as the members they would get no half-crown out of him, and he will not be the only one. The way it is now, there will be plenty who will neither pay nor poison, and the expense and trouble will fall on a few, and others will get the benefit all the same. Hoping lam not taking up too much space, I am, &c., Jonh Barr. Springside Farm, Waterton.