WHO PAYS FOR SMALL BIRDS' EGGS?

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2321, 6 January 1890, Page 2

WHO PAYS FOR SMALL BIRDS' EGGS?

TO THE EDITOR.. Sib, —I will feel greatly obliged if you can give an answer publicly to the above query. My reason for troubling you is this: I have a boy who spent several days last week, col* looting both eggs and young birds, and obtained a considerable number. He first took them to Mr Mainwaring, at the Council Chambers, who (rightly no doubt) referred him to Messrs 0. E. Fooks . and Son. Thither the boy want, and was adyifled ut their offloe to take them to Mr Bell at the Court House, who. also in turn denied having any authority to purchase anon a thing, and bo the matter stands. Now, sir, I distinctly recollect the Mesßra Fooks advertising, about two months sgo, that they wen empowered by the Oouaty Ooanoil or certain Road Boards (I am not sure which) to pay two shillings per hundred , for eggs and heads, acid as the order, as far as lam aware, has not been cancelled, there is rarely carelessness oi 1 apathy shown somewhere in reference to the purchase of eggs. From all directions comes the wail of the farmers, that small birds are more numerous i and destructive tibia season than ever they have been before. But there is not muoh encouragement for industrious lads to assist in destroying them, when they ate refused payment for their labor.—l am etc,

Pabent. Hampatead, January 4th. [The County Council grants a subsidy to looal bodies on the amounts "paid by the latter for egga oolleat'ed in their respective districts. In thif case the eggs appear to have been colleoted in Hamystead town dietriot, and consequently Mesira Fooka and Son (offioers for Wakanui Road Board) would not buy them.' Hampatead Town Board is the proper body to apply to—but possibly it does not bay egga. The Cjumy Council does not do so in any case, only giving a subsidy to the minor looal bodies.