PAPARIMU

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 443, 21 January 1919, Page 3

PAPARIMU

THE BABBIT PEST. "These unoccupied lands are a curse to the neighbourhood in which they are situated," remarked Mr J E Wilson, B.M, last Thu.sday, in roflxtin* on Herbert Francis, the owner of a section at Paparimu, near Clevedon, a fine of £5 and 9s costs, for failing to take active steps to clear his land of rabbits. Mr Brittain, the Inspector, said that the section was one of three or four unoccupied properties held by defend ant, and that most of the settlers in the district kept the rabbits down, but were hampered by the pest being harboured on unoccupied lands. He pointed out that if an ownor did not take diligent steps to clear the land after having been fined he could be charged within a month, and would be liable to a fioe of £IOO. James 8. Palmer admitted that he had failed to comply with an order to destroy rabbits on his property at Paparimu. He had purchased'the land for his son, who h.d g me to the front and had not yet returned. He had intimated to the Fields Inspector that he had airangnm r>nts with a trapper to destroy the rabbits. His agent had a man to do the work but later he found that it was not being done. He then wrote to a neighbour asking him if he could assist him in the matter. The neighbour arranged with another man to do tho trapping He had lately sold the property, and hid arranged for the work to be c n tinued -The Magistrate fc aid he was satisfied the defendant hid endeavoured to take the necessary steps to promote the destruction of rabbits, and under the circumstances tho information would 'be dismissed.-The Fields Inspector gave notice of