Do Not Want To Lose Hare Drives

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31117, 21 July 1966, Page 14

Do Not Want To Lose Hare Drives

Hare drives were the most efficient method of keeping the animals in check: they were a good source of revenue for district organisations; and they were good fun, the provincial executive of North Canterbury Federated Farmers was told yesterday.

Mr R. Oliver, of Hororata, made these comments when opposing a move made at the annual conference of the South Island Rabbit Boards’ Association, to have hares devalued.

Seconded by Mr A. E. G. Eyttle, who described Mr Oliver’s view as “sound common sense,” Mr Oliver’s motion was carried unanimously. Mr Oliver said hares were not a problem in his area, and they were quite a source of income for district organisations. If hares were devalued, the rabbit boards would have to increase their staffs to control them. Hares did not take readily to baits, as they were selective feeders. The only way to control them was to shoot them.

Rabbit boards would not be able to do this any more efficiently than local hare drives did at present. “By organised drives, we can cope very well, and we can have a lot of fun," Mr Oliver said. “The hare drives are also much better for the young chaps in the district. They can go and have something to shoot at, instead of using road signs and telephone insulators.” “What Mr Oliver says is sound common sense,” said Mr Lyttle. “The hare is in a different category to the rabbit. First, the hare doesn’t burrow, and they have very small litters. I have never found more than two leverets in a nest. “You have all heard of the saying, ‘as mad as a March hare,' well, the hare is really mad in September in this country. You can shoot at them and they will turn round to see where the bullet came from.” Mr Lyttle agreed that organised drives were a most efficient method of dealing with the hare population. “Yes, let’s keep our hair as long as we can,” said. a member when the motion was passed unanimously.