Correspondence.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 24, 1 July 1867, Page 153

Correspondence.

*** We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by correspondents. * m *

TO THB EDITOB OT THB TIMES,

I f ee i compelled to take up my pen to attack the draft Thistle Act, which appeared in the Herald a short time ago. as a letter appeared in Tuesday s issue of that paper, urging that a very few people, or even one individual , should have the power of inflicting a nuisance on the neighbourhood. / think if such an Act is passed it ought not to be put in force unless threefourths at least of the resident occupiers of the land are in favour of it. Again, that letter states, that thistle seed does not travel far with the wind, but he does not attempt to explain how they could have spread over so many square miles in a short space of time by any other agency.

The Act in question is very unjust as to its boundai ies. It takes in the Meanee Flat as far as the hills, a few chains of which are to be cleared as a border; but beyond that there are acres of thistles, and farmers will be compelled to keep their lands clear, and pay for clearing other peoples', while every westerly wind brings them a new sowing from Mr Tiffens reserves. I think the Act should stipulate for two miles, at least, to be kept clear as a margin.

Farmers, and small holders of land, will suffer great expense and annoy ance, without any benefit. Any one who cultivates his land, or has it laid down in paddocks, can keep it clear of thistles, and has every motive to do so; and those who have land which is never cvltivated or used, are themselves as great a hindrance to the welfare of the province as the thistles; and it is for their benefit alone that this Act is to be passed. If people have land in danger of being spoiled, let them work it; or, if they do ,not like that, they can sell it to those who will. The Act in question encourages land speculation, for it enacts that lands of absentees shall be cleared by Government . The value of property will be still further depreciated by it. Farm produce now , when it has paid its expenses , leaves very little, if any, profit for the farmer; and when he has to bear the cost of clearing highways and river beds, and heavy taxes for inspectors' salary, and clearing absentees' lands, in addition to his present expenses, he will not get any thing for his labour, and land to him would be worthless.

The Act is very cautious with regard to lands in the hands of natives; no doubt the Government feels that it is not strong enough to enforce it amongst them: I contend that we ought not to be degraded by paying penalties for offences for which they are exempt. This Act must be partially inoperative, and therefore unjust; and again I contend that three years profit of all the lands in the district would not suffice to cut down all the thistles for one season; and it is easy to predict its operation. The inspector of thistles being appointed by the Gavernment, which represents the large holders and land speculators, would not see thistles on their lands , except where they wanted him to do so ; if he fined any of them, he would soon be dismissed ; his business would be confined to small holders, and their neighbourhood; if any of these should happen to be opposed to the powers that be, he had better not grow thistles, for he would constantly have the inspector looking out for a chance to fine him. If the members of the Town of Napier are favourable to the measure , I would suggest that the experiment of stopping the growth of thistles by law

be tried on Scinde Island; its isolated position is more favourable for success than anywhere else in the province. The promoters of the measure would

then have in its success a valid argu ment for the extension of the district. I believe they have now no evidence to show that a Thistle Act has ever been a benefit. There is no argument against the experiment , except that in the meantime thistles would spread over the plains; but I think there are now so many in the district , a few extra millions would make little difference to the practical working of the Act. Lastly , would not such an Act make the-leases on the Papakura Block invalid. The leaseholder and landlord agree to* fulfil certain-conditions; and now if the. landlord says you shall keep

your land clear of thistles, which is no? implied in the contract, leaseholders’can say this new condition affects the value of the land, and because it is law it must be obeyed; you have broken your part of the contract, therefore ws are not bound to fulfil ours; and an action against the landlord would I think be good for damages and improvements.

Isaac R. Sutton.

Meanee Flat.