RURAL INTERESTS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 598, 11 January 1921, Page 4

RURAL INTERESTS.

LEGISLATION DURING 1920. (By T. D. H. Hall, Head Office, Department of Agriculture). Tlic session of 1920 was not Marked by any outstanding agricultural legislation, but the following summary sets out provisions which arc of 'interest to the farming community . Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Act. Part 11. of the Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1908, deals with the constitution of rabbit districts on tbe peilion of the majority of stockowners therein. The qualification of a “stockowner’' for this purpose is tiic ownership of 500 sheep or 100 head reckoned as five head of sheep), and these stockowners are the sole voters and raepayers in any constituted district. Closer settlement and dairying have necessitated a change, and the stockowner’s qualification is fixed by tbe Amendment Act at 100 sheep or 20 head of cattle. Rabbit districts may also be constituted at the instance of ratepayers. The principal Act provides that in such districts the rate leviable for rabbit-destruction purposes shall be leviable on the rateable value of the land in the district. In certain classes of country this militates against the successful establishment or working of a district Provision is therefore made for an alternative system of rating on an acreage basis. The rating system to be adopted is to be determined by a poll. Power is conferred on Rabbit Boards to borrow by way of overdraft on the security of the revenue receivable by them, i The Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Act, 1918, gave extended powers to Rabbit Boards, constituted under Part 111. of the principal Act., in the matter of the erection of rabbitproof fencing. The lights and liabilities of the Boards as owners of the fences are now laid down by incorporating similar provisions to those already existing in the case of rabbit-proof’ fencing districts. The Governor-General in Council may authorise Rabbit Boards in districts constituted under Part 11. of the Rabbit Nuisance Act (stockowners) to take the necessary steps for destroying rabbits on land without first serving notice on the owners of the land.

I Power is given to make regulations prescribing the means to be adopted for destroying rabbits, regulating trapping, regulating purchase and sale of rabbits and skins, and regulating the export of rabbits and skins. Orchard and Garden Diseases Amendment Act. This amendment provides power to regulate the sale of fruit affected with black-spot. ] Apiaries Amendment Act. I Power is given in this amendment to provide for a registration fee for apiaries. The revenue is to be devoted to the furtherance of the industry. Agricultural and Pastoral Societies” Amendment Act. 1 Before a society incorporated under the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies’ Act can sell or exchange any land derived by it from the Crown the precedent consent of the Governor-General in Council is now necessary. Companies’ Amendment A el. When a company formed tor a particular purpose desires to engage in operations not provided for in its memorandum or articles f association, a special procedure is j. ;cssary to amend the memorandum or aril--1 cles. Relief is provided now in the I case of companies formed wholly or in part for the manufacture of butler or cheese. Such companies may, without alteration in the memorandum or articles of association, engage in the manufacture of rennet, casein, sugar of milk, butter boxes, cheese crates, and other articles subsidiary to their main purpose, or may acquire shares in any company carrying out such manufacture, or formed to undertake the export and marketing of dairy produce, or to erect and carry on cool stores and freezing works. Land and income Tax Amendment Act.

The exemption from income tax enjoyed by co-operative butter and cheese factories has been removed, but it is provided that in calculating the amount of income of such a factory there shall be deducted from the total receipts of the factories the amounts paid to suppliers in so far as such amounts are apporioned on the basis of the milk (or cream) supplied. Counties’ Act. County Councils are now given given powers to erect cattle-dips, and to make by-laws and fix fees for their use. County Councils are also empowered to purchase and sell rabbit-proof wire-netting on suitable terms.