SMALL CHARGE IS TO BE MADE FOR KILLING WASPS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 16, 29 March 1950, Page 5

SMALL CHARGE IS TO BE MADE FOR KILLING WASPS

Although the Whakatane County Council is going to allow its staff to kill wasps and destroy nests <sh private property those people who ask to have the nests attended to are to be charged travelling expenses. This was decided at the monthly meeting of the Council held at Whakatane yesterday. It was felt that although there was a possibility of some people playing on a free service there was more likelihood of the insects being destroyed and kept in check if some service was available for the county. Cr W. Hunter said that if there was any charge there was a possibility that some people might not bother with the pests.

Disagreement with the 'opinion was voiced by Cr R. F. Wardlaw, who contended that wasps should be treated in a manner similar to noxious weeds in the county. If the Council let the people have the free use of staff for 'killing wasps they would become very busy men. If nests were found on roads it was a different matter.

The chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett, pointed out that it was not everyone who would go and destroy a nest.

Cr A. F. McGougan agreed but suggested that if county staff were to be made available farmers and other landowners should be shown how to destroy the insects and the time might come when the problem could be left to the people to deal with.

A suggestion to keep staff available for 12 months was made by Cr D. C. Butler.

The problem should be left*- in the hands of the Beekeepers’ Association, Cr L. W. Luxton, contended.