RABBIT CONTROL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20116, 9 December 1939, Page 14

RABBIT CONTROL

MEETING OF BOARD NORTHERN CONDITIONS INSPECTOR SATISFIED “During November I inspected n good portion of my district and found conditions very satisfactory,’’ stated Mr. H. A. Burgess, inspector, in reporting on the northern section of the East Coast Rabbit Board’s territory to yesterday afternoon’s meeting of the board. Those present were Messrs. E. M. Hutchinson, chairman, M. T. TrafYord, C. G. Holdsworth, E. M. Monckton and M. L. Holden. Payments totalling £457 18s Kiel were, confirmed. In his report from Whakatans, Mr. Burgess also stated: —

"On looking over the Ngahuinga. Heruwi and Whirinaki Crown lands I found no indication of rabbits. The portion of Te Whaiti country I inspected, Pounaua and Matera, carried no signs. The Galatea estate and the foothills at Tawhiuau had no fresh indications, nor were any signs found on Te Houhi, Kopuriki, the foothills at Hikurangi, and Opoutea native lands.

"I inspected Owfiakatoro country and the clearings towards Waiohau and Te Teko, but could find no indications. Since the rabbits were caught on Pakinaki property Edgecombe, there have been no fresh signs.

"No signs were found on any portion of the sandhills between Thornton and Whakatane and no further traces have been seen on Hill Crest, Whakatane. Poison was laid on the high spur along the Horbmangn River banks, where an odd sign had been found. The country is not easy of access for .trapping and since the poison was laid no fresh traces have been discovered. “Rabbits were killed at the following places in November: —Galatea estate 3, Edgecumbe 4; total 7.’’ Southern District Mr. T. R. England, sub-inspector. Wairoa, reported as follows on the board's southern district:— “During the month the following places have been worked. —Mr. D. Glynan’s property (Te Waikopiro), Mr. W. Mogford’s property, and Mr. B. Chambers’ property (Potutu), and no signs were found. Mr, O’Grady’s country was clean, though two rabbits were caught on the Moliaka native country adjoining Mr. O’Grady’s land. The Putere and Mohaka Crown lands were worked and except for Mr. Horne’s lower block, where one rabbit was caught, the country was clean.

“The top end- of the Tutaekuri block. Messrs. A. McKinnon, Jackson and S. Ruawai, was found clean, but one rabbit was killed on Mr. P. Sainsbury’s property. Since then no further indications have been found there. Otoi land is now clean, for no additional fresh signs have been found.

“Parts of Waireka block have been ra bhit was caught on the Bald Hills and a few fresh traces were discovered near the edge of the bush. Mr. J. R. Murphy’s land and Meessrs. Fraser and Son’s property (Run 38), were clean. On Mr. R. Andrew’s estate (Te Hoe) two rabbits were killed, but so far no more signs have been found, on Ngatapa country. . "I travelled to Ngatapa and inspected that country and the adjoining land. I was accompanied by a rabbiter and we caught two rabbits on Mr. Andrew’s land, but found no signs on Ngatapa. Mr. Mouhu Apiata’s land and Waitara native land.

“I also inspected portions of the Putere block and saw no indications on the properties of Messrs. Wells. Mathieson, and Sharron. On Mr. Horne’s lower block signs of a Tabbit were discovered and the rabbit had since been caught. I went over to Waireka and searched a good portion of that country. On the first Bald Hill I found old signs of a rabbit that had been caught a few days previously, but no further fresh signs were visible. There were no indications on the second Bald Hill. Around the edge of the bush a few fresh signs were found and the rabbiter is working that country at present.

“I returned along the edge of the rough block, through Whinnunui and along the river faces to the homestead' and found no traces. T was not able to visit the clearing in the rough block as the track was covered over The rabbiter is clearing the tracks in the locality and I shall go through to them on my next visit. “The summary of kills for the month was: —Mohaka native land 2, Waireka 1. Mr. P. Sainsbury’s property 1, Te Hoe, 2, Mr. P. Horne’s land i; total 7."