RABBIT CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 48, 1 March 1946, Page 2

RABBIT CONTROL

PONGAKAWA BOARD MEETS

INSPECTOR’S REPORT The monthly meeting of the Pongakawa Rabbit Board took place last week, Messrs. J. N. Blaynnres (chairman), T. Bali, R. E. Black, D. J. Dennehy, A. H. Jarmeson and the secretary being present. The inspector’s (Mr C. H. Davis) report was presented as under: — “Since the last meeting we have worked on a number of private properties, Crown lands in Valley Road, Tarawera, Rerewhakaitu, Murupara, and Rotoma areas, and Native lands in Rerewhakaitu, Murupara, Rotoma,. Awakaponga,' Lakes and Tarawera areas. “We have poisoned 17,700 acres and fumigated 15.900 acres using 13591b5. Phosphorised Pollard and 811bs Cyanogas. Results have been from fair to good and in a few places we have had to miss with poison but have been able to obtain results in these places by a followup poisoning.. On account of the long dry spell, I have 4 found it necessary to use twice the amount of Molasses to each mixing. This tends to keep the moisture and prevent the Pohsphorus from burning out before the rabbits take the baits.

“We intend working over the Whakatane Paper Mills property where there is an odd rabbit showing up as soon as we have a change in the weather.”

The ' secretary reported that 81 per cent, of the rates had been collected and that the total outstanding amounted to £309. Accounts totalling £73 8s Id were passed for payment. The secretary was directed to make application to the Agriculture Department to increase the Government grant for the year ended March, 1946, by an additional £SO for Crown lands and £SO for Native land as the present grant would be fully expended by the end of February and the additional grant was required owing to the fact that the cost of work on the Crown and Native land had been increased by circumstances beyond the control of the Board, through the increased award rates of pay which were back-dated to the Ist April, 1945.