THE RABBIT PEST.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 238, 8 October 1928, Page 8

THE RABBIT PEST.

STATION OWNER SUED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) DARGAVILLE, this day. For failure to comply with from the Stock Department-to deal with rabbits on his property, R. J. Bell, owner of Te Karaka station, Tangowahine Valley, was proceeded against in the Magistrate's Court before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M. The inspector, Mr. A. W. Christie, stated that, in company with the stock inspector for the Whangarei district and his assistant, he had inspected a portion of the property comprising 16,000 acres. During the morning they had counted 93 rabbits, and during the afternoon 217. The defendant had been notified to deal with the pests, and his manager had promised to take action, but subsequent inspections had shown no recent evidence of any efforts to comply with the notices. The defendant said he himself was only too willing to take steps to eliminate the pest, as he Was aware of the menace rabbits were to the country. He had, he said, been cross with his manager for neglecting to act, and was now endeavouring to secure a suitable man to conduct a campaign against the rabbits. 1 On defendant undertaking to comply with the inspector's requirements the case was adjourned for two months.