Ruatiti vandalism disappoints

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 1, 3 June 1987, Page 6

Ruatiti vandalism disappoints

At last week's council meeting concern and disappointment was expressed by members of the Waimarino County Council about a recent spate of vandalism in the Ruatiti domain. Councillors heard from county overseer Don Satler that a chainsaw was used to cut the legs off a picnic table situated in the

camping area. The domain caretaker's house was unoccupied at the time of the incident. "This sort of thing is very disappointing. We spend money and time doing the work and then someone comes along and straight out vandalises it," said Cr Ian McCoubrie. Councillors shared the view that the majority of local people are looking after the amenity. "I would like to think that the domain has the support of the locals," said Cr Doug Bennett. Hydatids Two recent incidents of Tenniucollis, or 'False Hydatids' - a condition in lambs, have been reported to the County's Hydatids Control Officer, Harold Wise. Mr Wise informed the Waimarino County Council in his monthly report, that a freezing works had reported cases of 80% infection of lambs from iwo separate properues m the area. "Although lambs cannot have true hydatids they can contract false hydatids (identified by spots on the animal's liver). This is caused through dogs having been fed raw offal only," said Mr Wise. "It appears some dog owners do not seem to care whether we have a return of True Hydatids or not, because feeding raw offal to dogs is the only way to do it."

Council expressed concern over the high rate of infection but admitted there was no direct recourse open to them. Chairman Con Heinold said Mr Wise had effectively managed to combat the problem in the past. "What our officer has done in the past is, if there have been bad reports about lambs from a certain area, he has held strip dosing in that area," he said. "That could now be used to catch up with the farmers who are not doing things right." Overseer's report The County overseer's report for the month of April 1987 stated that 171 millimetres of rain has fallen in the area this year to date, compared to 85mm for the same period last year. Don Satler reported that the last of the seal repairs on the Ohakune Mountain Road have been completed for the year and no more work will be carried out on the road until October/November, unless problems arise during the winter months. The southern end of Turakina Valley Road has been extensively metalled and some small slips cleared. Along with recent culvert cleaning and water tabling having been done, the road is in good condition for winter.