WILD RABBITS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3092, 26 May 1881, Page 3

WILD RABBITS.

("To the Editob of the Daily Telegbaph.] Sin, —Is it given you to say what amount of evidence, or what description of evidence, the Rabbit Commissioners require to satisfy them that it is full time to take action in regard to these wretched animals? I think it may safely be wagered not one of them is aware there are more rabbits in the midst of us than there should be, and few conscious of the terrible scourge awaiting us by the march northward along the coast and Fortymile Bush of the Wairarapa wild rabbit. The Commissioners appear to be of those sceptics who will not believe a statement or statements of a fact, unless practical demonstration brings it home to them. As shown by a correspondent in your issue of the 21st instant they have been appointed for some considerable time, and as far as the public at large are aware have remained inactive—nay, they have gone so far as to throw cold water on the efforts of the Wainui settlers, cold water, inasmuch as no apparent steps have been takpn to give effect to their urgent resolutions and pressing requests. If any one of them wishes to hear of rabbits near at home, let him enquire from whence the wild rabbits came which were seen last Queen's birthday (24th May) hanging on the saddle of a sportsman's horse. The useless idle question is being discussed, with some warmth,-whether the rabbits known to be on several runs are tame or wild. No one who has passed a few hours in a public-house of an evening but will have heard, in the one or the other, the fact asserted that wild rabbits have been brought into the province by swagsmeo, men wbo had sworn to bring them and who it is believed have done so. A rabbit is a rabbit, and whether wild or tame should be exterminated. In the Wairarapa there is a heavy fine for keeping live rabbit?. At Kaikoura they are kept and let loose. There is, Sir, a report abroad that the chairman of the Rabbit Commissioners is to be nominated to the Upper House for eminent services. There is a growing belief the whole of the Commissioners are entitled to be relegated to the Legislative Council for eminent supineness.—l am, &c, A Traveller. May 25, 1881.