RABBIT CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 28, 23 September 1946, Page 7

RABBIT CONTROL

PONGAKAWA BOARD MEETS The monthly meeting of the Pongakawa Rabbit Board was held recently. Messrs. J. N. Blaymires (chairman), A. H. Jamieson, D. J. Denehy, M. B. MacKenzie, R. F. Black, C. H. Davis and the secretary, were present. The Inspector (Mr C. H. Davis) reported that he had contacted Messrs. Boon, Sullivan and Luke Ltd., who were prepared to construct a hut according to requirements, sixe 16 x 8, provided the Boai-d obtained the necessary permit from the Building Controller. The secretary’s letter to the Building Controller, making application for this permit was read and approved. It was mentioned that Messrs. Boon, Sullivan and Luke’s price was £64 17s, and the floor would be constructed of pine. Mr Davis reported that he had interviewed a carrier who would cart this to the job for £6 to £7. Resolved that it be left to the Inspector to give the floor a coat of redlead if considered advisable. Crown and Native Land

The secretary’s letter to the North Island Rabbit Boards’ Association, relative to (1) the Lands and Survey Department paying rates and (2) submitting that the Agriculture Department should stand a portion of administrative and overhead costs, was tabled and approved. The Association replied expressing agreement with the submissions and stating that these were in accord with the principles enunciated by the Select Committee on Local Government, as far as rating was concerned. The Association suggested . that the matter be allowed to stand down on the grounds that no good purpose would be served by pressing the case at present. It was resolved that the secretary reply, suggesting that submissions be made to the appropriate quarter, making representations that permission be granted to Rabbit Boards to add a percentage to cover administration and overhead costs, to the quarterly claims for the refund of expenditure on Crown and Native land.

It was pointed out that the Department of Agriculture was charged for material used and direct labour, on the extermination of rabbits on Crown and Native land, but ihe Department did not refund any portion of the Inspector’s salary or the cost of administration.

The opinion was expressed that this was likely to prejudice the expansion of Rabbit Board districts and particularly the inclusion of additional Crown and Native land, unless the Crown stood part of the cost of. administration. Payment of Rates The secretary reported that in the case of the Reporoa Rabbit Board, the Department had agreed, to pay the demands for rates on Strathmore and Mihi blocks, particularly as the Board had already levied rates for the current year, assuming that the Department would meet its obligations on similar lines to previous years. He reported further, that a letter had been sent from this Board, asking for treatment on the same basis as the Reporoa Rabbit Board. Removal of Livestock The Inspector reported that in many parts of the district, the rabbit pest had been greatly reduced, with the result that considerably less damage was being done to pastures. The effect of this was, that in some cases, the ratepayers were reluctant to remove their stock and had suggested that the rabbits be destroyed by fumigation. He pointed out that Phosphorised Pollard poisoning was more effective and it was a much cheaper process, but the co-operation of ratepayers was essential, as the livestock must be removed before poison could be laid. In view of the size of the Board’s district—46o,ooo acres—it would be quite impossible to control the pest over such a large area by fumigation methods and further, it would be necessary to increase the rates. For this reason, a special appeal to ratepayers was necessary. It was resolved that the Inspector’s report be adopted that he be authorised to take whatever steps were necessary to see that ratepaypoisoning.

The secretary was requested to ask the newspapers to publish this appeal to ratepayers, when reporting extracts from the Inspector’s report. Accounts totalling £65 16s 5d were passed for payment.