NO RIFLES

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3288, 14 July 1943, Page 4

NO RIFLES

SHOOTING OF WILD PIGS PRODUCTION COUNdIL THAMES DISTRICT MEMBERS The monthly meeting of the Thames District Council of Primary Production was held at the Thames Borough Council Chambers, Thames, on Thursday, July 1. Present: Messrs S. E. Hall (chairman), D. Courtney, iH. S. Curtis, W. Hamilton, C. W. Schultz, E. W. Harris, W. A. Jeffris and W. H. Cheale (members), R. W. Chappell (representing the National Service Department, Paeroa), and Mr Allo (instructor, Department of Agriculture, Thames). Apology for unavoidable absence was received from 1 Mr J. Thorn, M.P. The secretary gave details and particulars of applications for' employment of Land Girls and the reports obtained and forwarded to the National Service Department, Wellington. Mr Chappell stated that his office had the services of a lady officer who dealt with add reported on these cases as required and who conferred with this council when necessary. of Land Girls It was moved by Mr W. H. Cheale, seconded by Mr H. S. Curtis, that the secretary write the Natiqnal Service Department, Wellington asking for full details of the duties and hours of work per day or per week that she is expected to work and the full conditions and details governing her employment for the benefit of council members and their committeemen.

The chairman, Mr Hall, gave full de.tails of much information recently obtained by him on 'the question of rehabilitation of returned men and as to committees that were being set up, that such committees could if they desired apply to the council for information or advice but that as.far as he could see production councils could not take any direct or leading part in he rehabilitation as had already been notified by the National Council, Wellington. Destruction of Wild Pigs Mr H. S. Curtis reported that ammunition for shooting wild pigs had been readily obtainable by the farmers of the Coromandel Peninsula on the conditions set out in the Hon. Ministei' of Internal Affairs’ letter to the council but that the rifles which he said could be obtained and for which application had been made had. not yet been ■ supplied which was very disappointing. Mr Curtis moved and Mr E. W. Harris seconded that the secretary get in touch with the Army Department, Paeroa., as to the release of rifles for farmers for shooting wild pigs and ask if the release of these could be facilitated as notified in the Minister’s letter. The memorandum received from the National Council as its recommendations to the Hon. Minister on the constitution and election of members and committees to district councils was read. It was moved by Mr Allo and seconded by Mr Hamilton that the question of the constitution and election of district councils be held over until next meeting and that the Hon. Minister be written to for further instructions on the matter.

The secretary reported on three urgent appeals dealt with during the month for reservists ordered to camp and hearing 'before Armed. 1 Forces Appeal Board when the three appeals were granted. Armed Forces Appeal Board The secretary gave a statement of account of receipts and payments of the council for the past 11 months showing a credit balance of £152 Is 5d and gave an estimate of accounts to be paid to the end of the council’s year, which woasii finish up with an approximate credit balance of £B6. Mr E. W. Harris moved and Mr C. W® Schultz seconded that the council vote the secretary a further £lB in accordance with the approval given in the letter from the Hon. Minister, this bringing the salary of the secretary up to £4 per week from the date of his engagement in September last to date. The secretary returned thanks for the increased remuneration. Members asked that publicity be z given to the letter received from the Commissioner of Supply, Wellington in response to the council’s effort to get molasses .»o!d through local storekeepers in small quantities for medicinal purposes, the reply being that molasses had been in very short supply for seme time, <but that fairly large quantities were being obtained from Australia after mroh negotiation and would'be available for farmers through the usual channels.