Original Correspondence

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 437, 28 September 1880, Page 2

Original Correspondence

RABBIT NUISANCE,

To the Editor.

[We are at all times ready to give expression to every shade of opinion, but in no case do we hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]

Sm—ln a local of the 21st inst. you drew tho public's attention to the above, and as it is a subject of such vital importance to the Peninsula, I think it will not be out of place to state what I have heard so that those who turn out rabbits must not think they can do so without it being known, and also without risk of penalty to themselves. I will not mention names, but merely localities, as no doubt the cap will fit those who have committed them selves. There is one in Robinson's Bay, one on the Okain's Road, one between Robinson's Bay and German Bay, and one in Akaroa—the last a well knswn gunner, but, unfortunately for him, without any stake in the country, but who evidently intends to stay amongst us, as he has brought a doe rabbit heavy with young, and now make's his boast that sheiß turned out in a nice quiet place, nnd in a year or two he will have plenty of sport.

Now, sir, I feel we are not sufficiently alive to our own interests, or we would t'ako steps to prevent the locating of this vermin, which will depopulate the whole Peninsula by starving every cow and

' sheep upon it, and it should be the endoavor of every pettier to destroy all rabbits upon his holding, as one killed now will be equivalent to one hundred in a year or two. Some of the smaller holders have an idea they can keep the rabbits off, but I wish to disabuse their minds of their ability to do so, from the fact the rabbit - feeds mostly at night, and by their shepherding well during the day their grass will naturally be more fresh than those with larger holdings, which are mostly used for sheep grazing, who however willing are by natural consequences prevented from disturbing their flocks at certain seasons of the year, so tbat this pest will have one season of preserve. Further grass grazed by sheep is shorter and more dirty, so that the smaller freeholder is only offering a dainty feed to bunny, who will swarm at night from their temporary preserved warrens to commit their depredations. Sir, Ido not wish to be called an alarmist, but hope that every settler will use his utmost endeavors to stamp.out this coining ruin, for if the rabbit once gets thoroughly established all other taxation will be reduced to a minimum compared to this—l may say self-imposed one —caused either by the neglect of some to destroy in time, or by others who either wilfully or thoughtlesslj turned them out. —I am, etc.,

HENRY PIPER.