RABBIT CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 90, 24 June 1946, Page 8

RABBIT CONTROL

PONGAKAWA BOARD \, ' MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Pongakawa Rabbit Board took place recently, those members present being Messrs. J. N. Blaymires, R. F. Black, A. H. Jamieson and M. B. MacKenzie. Apologies were tendered .'on behalf of Messrs. T. Ball and D. J. Dennehy. A decision was made to make application to the North Island Rabbit Boards Association, the subscription being £1 15s. - A letter was received from the -Hurunui Rabbit Board, opposing the policy of "killer boards," and members agreed, after the communication had been read, that they were not ?n agreement with this representation. A letter received from a ratepayer which commented on the destruction of rabbits on his property, and asked for particulars of the actual work done by the Board's employees. The Inspector's report on this area was read, and attention was drawn particularly to the fact that unless ratepayers were prepared to move their livestock so tha.t poison could be laid in the paddocks, the work of the Board was considerably handicapped. It was resolved that public notice

be given of the Board's intention to enforce the Rabbit Destruction Regulations in the Matata Riding of the Whakatane County, for a further period of six months. The Secretary reported that approximately 99 per cent, of the rates levied for the year ended March, 1946, had been paid. Direction was made for the Secretary to write to the Wheat Controller, Auckland, making application for a permit to purchase two sacks of either wheatmeal or pollard per month for the next 12 months, the wheatmeal to be pure without any grit. Accounts totalling £55 18s lOd were passed for payment. Attention was drawn to the fact that a deputation had waited on the Board last April, and presented a petition signed by 20 ratepayers in the original area of the Board's district, recommending that the Board increase the rates in that area and engage additional labour on the destruction of rabbits, and in view of these representations, it was considered advisable to increase the rate for the original area to 3d per acre for the current year.