RABBIT PEST.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18237, 22 November 1924, Page 7

RABBIT PEST.

GOVERNMENTS WORK REVIEWED.

RABBIT BOARDS SUCCESSFUL. (SFZCML TO "TSZ FSSSi.'') WELLINGTON, November 21. In "The Press" of September 2nd' there was printed an article on the rabbit pest which appeared in the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association's journal. At the request of the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. \Y_ Nosworthy), the responsible officer of the Department has submitted an account of the activities of the Department under four main heads. Supervision and Direction of Efforts. Under this heading it is stated that the Department is always ready to consider suggestions. The Department has given much attention to finding mora effective poisons, and to improving the methods of using those now in use, but nothing very definite has resulted in j either direction.

• Administration of the Act. Inspectors keep up an active campaign, working with farmers as far as possible, but using coercive measures where neglect is shown. A prosecution is not undertaken, - however, until several warnings have been given. It is a question whether better results would not be obtained if fewer warnings were given. Unfortunately, landowners do not always carry out systematic poisoning, so that the best results are not obtained. The inspectors also keep in touch with the Kabbit Boards with a view to setting them effectively to carry out their duties. Inspectors and Babbit Boards should not be looked upon as being antagonistic to tho farmer,' but unfortunately the commercial spirit, particularly iu the south, has crept in, and both inspectors and Boards aro in many cases looked upon in anything but a friendly light. The settler carries out the work of eradication under strict coercion, and often does no more than will save him from prosecution.

Babbit Boards and Simultaneous Action. This is considered absolutely necessary, and the Department favours the formation of Boards. Aroas of 2000acres can now be constituted Babbit Board Districts. Previcus to 1918 tho area was not less than 200,000 acres. There are now 21 ratepayers' Rabbit Boards in existence, 17 being in the North Island and four in Otago and Southland. The North Island Boards have done excollent work. In all case's where the desire to control tho pest is honest, and not half-hearted, there havo been excellent results. These Boards have been subsidised by tho Government to the extent of £7OOO. .The commercial element is not acting to the same extent in tho North Island as in tho Soutli. Owing to tho high value of the skins, the present methods of control in,'tho South havo been largely without result in regard to any niarked reduction in tho pest, t/ntii the South Island landowners co-operate wholo-heartedly rabbits will remain a serious menace there. In tho North a very different Btate of affairs obtains.

Sale of Poisons. . For some) years -phosphorised pollard and oats have been, sold to propertyowners' at- a' reasonable pride—for- several years'actually below the cost''-'.of manufacture; The' manufacture of poisoned pollard and oats at the Government depots has steadily increased, especially during recent years. Last year the quantity was 225 tons. In addition, large quantities of carbon bisulphide (for fumigating) and strychnine have been imported by the Government, and sold to landowners at the lowest possible cost. Phosphorised pollard- is sold at 3d per lb in quantities of 1401b and over, and at slightly higher rates for lesser quantities, railage being paid to the nfiarfest station. Phosphorus can be obtained at 3s 6d per lb, carbon bisulphide iat £3 »per 5-gallon drum,,, and strychnine at 4s 6d per oz—prices that are considerably lower than those ruling before the Department took action. Carbon bisulphide is excellent for fumigating warrens, arid is in great favour in the North Island, where excellent results have been obtained. In recent years strychnine has come largely into use, as rabbits" arc more' easily found when destroyed with it than with phosphorus. It is the favourite poison with professional rabbiters when winter skins are ' sought. The one drawback' to its use is that unpoisoned baits have to be laid for two or three days before putting .down those treated with Btrychnine, so that often the whole of a property is not worked, the tendency being to poison the most infected parts, and leave those where the rajpbits are not numerous undealt wifih, the reason being that it' does not pay the rabbiters to Work the unpayable ground. Thus the pest is liable to become as numerous as before by the time the following breeding season comes to an end.

lin 1, Clare Cusdin; 2. Vase native flowers (2): Misa Ruby Churchill 1, lan Kay 2. FLOWERS. Sii roses: Mis 31. Newton 1, Bxs W. Parkinson 2. Three roses, for those who had not won at previous show: W. E. Cook 1, Miss M. lo Lievro 2. Six roses, for those who have not won at a previous show: W. B. Cook 1, Mrs Humphreys 2. Six hybrid tea roses: Miss I. Newton 1. Six roses, most distinct varieties: Miss X. Newton 1, Mrs Marshall 2. Twelve roses: Miss I. Newton 1, Miss E. Jacobsen 2. Six buttonhole roses: Mrs T. L. 3>uxberry 3. Premier rose in show: Miss I. Newton 1, Mrs T. -k. Duxberry 2. Three varieties ten weeks stocks: Mrs W. Parkinson 1, Miss McLaughlin 2. Tlireo varieties geraniums: Miss Haylock 1, lira P. Hammond 2. Throe varieties pelargoniums : Miss Haylock 1, Mrs A. Donovan 2. Six varieties panics: Mrs T. Craw 1, M. Craw 2. Twelve varieties pansies: Mrs T. Craw 1, Mrs G. Mould 2. Six varieties hardy 'outdoor flowers: Miss M. Jacobsen 1, J. Craw 2. Six galliardias: J. Craw 1, Miss M. Jacobsen 2. Two vases cut flowers: Mrs Crockett 1, Miso Thelma Wright 2. Collection flowering climbera: Mrs, Humphreys 1. Collection flowering ehrabs: Mrs Humphreys 1. Collection rhododendrons: Miss Noela Mason 1, J. Craw 2. ' Lady's spray: Mis Crockett 1, Miss I. Newton aid Mrs Crockett (equal) 2. Gentlemen's buttonholes: Miss I. Xewton 1, Mrs Thelma Wright 2. Six varieties sweet peas: Mrs Crockett 1, Miss N. Cuninghatn 2. Six varieties carnations: Mrs G. Hammond i. Collection sweet peas: Mrs E. Priest 1.

The Banks Peninsula (Litle River) show will bo held at Little River on Tuesday. An excursion t.Tain is being run from Christchurch, and townsfolk will find the .trip a very pleasant break,, as the'.; grounds and surroundings are about the most picturesque in the province. An attraction; of an unusual nature is to be provided by" the exhibition of the champion thoroughbred l stallion, Martian, now in his 25th year. Martian's stock haa won about a quarter if a. million of money, , a record that ia scarcely likely to be exceeded in this country, at least for many yeara to come, and as. in the nature of things he must soon enter the equine Valhalla, his appearance will be keenly welcomed fcy horse lovers. . . . v:

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