RABBIT CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 15, 15 October 1943, Page 5

RABBIT CONTROL

PONGAKAWA BOARD MEETS

POSSPBLE NEW COASTAL STRIP

All members were present at the September meeting of the Pongakawa Rabbit Board when a letter was read, from the Department of Agriculture advising that a grant of £218 had been made to the Board, additional] to the subsidy on rates. A letter of thanks and ajjpreclation is being forwarded to the Department. In accordance with arrangements made at the previous meeting the caravan had been advertised for sale and the chairman reported that it had since been sold, for £80, the. amount that had been paid for it twelve months ago. Rangitaiki Areas' Mr French reported that the Rangitaiki petition had been finalised with a very substantial majority. It with the Manawahc petition have been sent to Wellington and the way was 1 now clear for these areas to be added to the Rabbit District. Later a discussion took place regarding .starting work as soon as possible in the Manawahc. district Avhere the rabbits are increasing. As the rate has already been struck and most of it collected on the existing area, there would appear to be difficulties attached to collecting a rate for the current year from the new area. It was suggested that part of the spccial Government grant of £248 might be- used on the Manawahc area. The secretary reported that pei* cent, of the current, year's rates had already been collected. Large Areas Treated The inspector reported that since the previous meeting 3500 acres had been poisoned and 4400" acres fumigated. The broken weather had considerably hindered the work. He was authorised to engage two additional men. The end of September completes twelve months work by the Board. It was decided to cany out a general inspection of the. whole area and also Manawahc by all the members 6f the Board, an application for benzine for the purpose to be made to the Te Puke Fuel Controller. The New Proposal A discussion took place regarding the extension of the district, to the north and west. In the absence of any move so far to effect the large extension discussctl in Te. Puke some months ago it was decided, to circulate a petition dealing with the area between the Old Coach Road from Paengaroa to Otamarakau and the sea and westward to the Kaituna River. The. chairman, Air J. N. Blaymires, and. Mr J. T. Reid were appointed a committee to deal with this matter.