The Daily Telegraph. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1883.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3784, 31 August 1883, Page 2

The Daily Telegraph. FRIDAY, AUGUST 31, 1883.

It is rather more than three years ago since Mr Ashton St. Hill, of Porangahau, first drew the attention of Hawke's Buy settlers to the necessity of taking measures to avert the rabbit plague. A meeting of sheepfarmers was held about that period at Wainui, at which resolutions were passed recognising the impending danger, and expressing the hope that in a common cause all the settlors would unite for the weal of the whole community. The rabbits had not crossed the Akiteo river at that time. They had swarmed over the Wairarnpa plains; they had crossed the Ituamahanga, the Wharehnma, the Mataikuna, and the Ohonga rivers, preferring the more hospitable country to the forest covered ranges of the Ruahinc. Three years ago the invaders appeared to have experienced a check at the Akiteo river. But it was only apparently so ; the whole time they were working back, and up the river, in order to cross it at the easier fords. Tho impending evil seemed far enough off then, and Mr St. Hill altogether failed to arouse in the minds of settlers any sense of danger. And now, when tho enemy is at our very doors, there are not a few who are inclined to think that individual exertion will be sufficient to cope with the curse when their own estates are attacked. It is an idle task to convince people against their will, and we shall not try. They will find their error when their runs are blasted and themselves are ruined ; the misfortune will be that in their ruin others also will fall. Happily the meeting of settlers yesterday showed that there arc many who do thoroughly realise the position of affairs, and who could not but have appreciated tho able reports from the Ilawke's Bay and Porangahau committees that were laid before them. The one report affirmed the urgent necessity of erecting a barrier between this district and the invading army of rabbits, and the other pointed out the best direction in which the fence should be taken. Both reports were adopted, and the two committees, with a few names added, wore formed into one committee to carry out the objects of tho meeting , . At tho outset difficulties prcsontecl themselves in two directions. Tho first was tho line along which the fence should be erected. There were two alternative lines, namely, tho artificial boundary between this and the Wellington district, which is recognised by the Government in the survey of the Crown lands to bo opened for sale shortly, and the lino recommended by the Poraugahau committee. This latter line is within the boundary of tho province, and observing the leading features of the country would take the fence along a practicable route, and one which with ordinary caro could be made thoroughly rabbit proof. It is doubtful whether by any amount of care this could be done with the other proposed route. It was thought that the Government might interpose a difficulty, however, if the fence were carried along any other way, and it was to meet this that Mr G. P. Donnelly proposed the formation of a land settlement company to buy up all the land from the Crown so as to allow the fence to be erected wherever it was thought it would be most effectual. Mr Donnelly's proposal fell through, but it possesses much to recommend it. Wo are afraid, however, such a scheme comes too late. The rabbits will be through and through those Crown lands before the company could be floated, and tho land bought and occupied by settlers. The route for the fence was thus the first difficulty relegated to the committee to deal with. The second was " ways and means." It is proposed to carry tho fence, in extension of that already erected, twelve miles in the direction of Woodville, the estimated cost of which is £3000. Some weeks ago the Government was sounded in order to ascertain if any assistance could be obtained, but the reply was unfavorable. For this year at all events, the settlers must rely upon themselves. To this end a considerable number of them have agreed to subscribe to the fund for the erection of the fence to the extent of one farthing per head of sheep as per returns of May last. But wo would point out that, if every owner of sheep in the provincial district paid that assessment, the sum required would not be obtained. We think it a pit}' that tho farthing assessment was agreed to ; in tho face of the Government withholding assistance a halfpenny rate would not have been too much to do" what is wanted. In Australia, where the rabbit plague is better understood, and therefore more dreaded than it is in Ilawke's Bay, the Government regard it as a duty to assist the settlers; New South Wales grants a subsidy of £3 to £1 expended in rabbit suppression. It is to be hoped that some concession will be wrung from our own Government next year. To meet the monetary difficulty the committee has drafted a circular to bo sent to all owners of sheep, and in which will be enclosed a promissory note filled up for the amount of assessment. If willing to subscribe .the sheepfarmer will sign the promissory note and forward it to Mr Dobson, the hon. secretary and treasurer to the committee. By this arrangement the committee will be able to ascertain tho amount of assistance to bo expected, and will be ablo to shape their course accordingly. And here wo must take the opportunity of congratulating the committee on securing such an able secretary as Mr R. Dobson. That gentleman is not only ablo and energetic, but, representing

the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, an institution that is deeply interested _in maintaining the prosperity of this district, he is peculiarly the right man m the right place.