SHEEP WORRYING

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 122, 27 June 1941, Page 5

SHEEP WORRYING

COMPLAINT OF FARMERS I COUNCIL'S CONSIDERATION At this week's meeting of thr Whakatane County Council C'r T G. H. Cawte reported a number ol cases where Maori sheep dogs had been worrying sheep and suggested that these animals should not be permitted to be registered as cattle dogs at the fee of 2/8. He considered that if a higher fee was charged then many of the dogs would nol be kept by the natives. Continuing he stated that he had information- from one farmer who had lost many sheep that he had recently shot eight dogs, none of which was wearing a collar. The county clerk reported that to date the ranger had registered 1200 flogs and a further 300 collars had been ordered. Cr H. G. McCready stated that the; dog registration was a farce and he was of the opinion that when all expenses were taken into consideration the council would be on the wrong side of the ledger. Many dogs which Avere registered did not wear the collars, and if they l dul the collars would not last long. "The number plate on tham fallsi off at the first bark, anyhow," he said. The clerk replied that the balance sheet showed at lenst a £3 per week profit from the registration of dogs while other members considered that the ranger had done; good work and more Maori dogs than usuai were now registered. However, it was generally thought that the native dog problem was one wliieh was very difficult to control and no definite solution was arrived at.