RABBITS FOR BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24913, 28 June 1946, Page 9

RABBITS FOR BRITAIN

Sir,—“Rabbiter” (Culverden) says "Set traps and see what you get. 9 I say, “You’re telling me.” For experience we get a line of traps set occasionally, our latest being in May, 1946. The trap operator was an experienced trapper and poisoner. On this line results were: several ferrets, one cat, one weasel, and two rabbits. See what you get is right—Yours, etc., V. F. RENAUD, Chief Inspector, Hurunui Rabbit Board. Culverden, June 25, 1946.

Sir,—-Replying to Mr Renaud, those “92,000” were not destroyed with “phosphorised pollard.” Pollard poison, and traps kill each other, and are worse than useless, while strychnine and traps alternately give the best of results. The simple explanation of more does escaping from traps than bucks is that the flesh and tendons of does is very much tenderer than that of the bucks, especially when breeding. Every trapper knows this. By “trapping under licence,” I go further and suggest the board should be the licensing authority Licences should be issued for only limited periods to proved trappers, and only on presentation of written permission from the occupier of rabbit-infested land. Fumigation of burrows kills more of the enemy than all trappers and subsidies ever did.— Yours, etc..

C. S. BROOKER. Hanmer, June 26, 1946.

Sir,—Would it not. be better if the rabbiter were the authority instead of the board? We at least work for every rabbit we get. Rabbits are definitely poison-shy in North Canterbury. I have just finished poisoning one farm, with disappointing results and expense to the farmer. I would like to get about 100 traps and give it a good clean-up. I would not let one rabbit go, but I know what I’d get from the farmer’s wife if I let a ferret or stoat go. Like many others, she has had her poultry yard raided too often by the brutes. Hitler would perhaps be alive to-day had he taken "Live and let live” for his motto.— Yours, etc., RABBITER No. 2, June 26, 1946.

Sir, —It is interesting to note how keen some of your correspondents are to trap rabbits for Britain, since it wag reported in “The Press” some weeks agb that large amounts of money were being made by Southland trappers. It makes one wonder if their keenness is caused by a desire to help the hungry or their own monetary benefit. I agree with Mr Renaud that trapping would destroy the natural enemies of the rabbits all of whom do their full share of hunting. Your correspondent, “Farmer,” says: “Why not abolish this stupid ban on trapping?” I think the word “humane" would be more fitting. Let some of these anxious helpers turn their attention of trappine eels. If tons were sent to Britain, not frozen or tinned, but smoked, there would be less fear of any starving.—Yours, etc., TRY IT. June 27, 1946. [“Farmer” may, if he wishes, briefly reply; otherwise, this correspondence is closed.—Ed., “The Press,”]