THE RABBIT QUESTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2138, 22 July 1907, Page 2

THE RABBIT QUESTION.

CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS. At the meeting of the Gisborne branch of the Farmers’ Union on Saturday, tlio chairman submitted ioveral Departmental reports on the rabbit question, which the Hon. J. Carroll had assisted him in _procuring and correspondence received. The Wairoa, District A. and P. Soeietv forwarded a resolution passed ■it a recent meeting, pointing out that, according to the stock and rabbit inspectors’ reports, there are no rabbits in Wairpa County north of Moliaka River, and J that the statement in the Gisborne branch’s letter was false so far as regarded that district. - The clerk of the Wairoa County Council wrote:—“l am directed to acknowledge receipt _of . your letter isking' that some action should be taken to prevent the spread of rabbits from Opotiki on tbe one side and the -,outliern portion of the county! on the other. • In reply I have to inform yon that the information supplied to you is incorrect, as the Council is informal that there is no immediate danger from this direction. At the same time if your Union will. co-operate this Council will approach the Govarnmeut on the question, and have the matter attended to.” The secretary of the Opotiki A. and P. Association notified that a subcommittee had been appointed to go thoroughly into the, matter. The Association quite recognised the peril tj the district should the rabbits become a nuisance, and would do their best to assist in the movement to check them. The Opotiki County Council, in acknowledging the resolution submitted, stated that the position had been brought under the notioe of the Stock Department. The Chairman said that the Wairoa people were under a misapprehension. The Gisborne branch had never made the statement that there were rabbits north of the Mohalia River. What they did say was that there were rabbits on the south side of tho river, and they wanted steps .akon to prevent them spreading across.

!- Inspector Miller, in charge of the s (fishorne district, reported that it s could confidently be assumed there r were no rabbits at present within the r boundaries of this district, and no 3 special inspection was necessary. In- ■> ’Pector Thomson, who knew tlie Opotilu district well, was of opinion , that any serious increase rabbits - there would mean an invasion of - rabbits into this district, as there ? was free access along a grassy route. 3 inspector Duncan reported on an inspection at Opotiki, in company with Inspector Burkill. They found that rabbits were practically confined t ) the sandhills, a narrow strip alon E > ■.be coast, some six miles long, be- ’ Opotiki and the mouth of the - U aihou River. Traces of rabbits 5 were to be found .all the way, but \ y appeared to be less numerous 1 . ; . llan ago. They saw only two > 'ivo rabbits. Several settlers on the i tablelands adjoining stated that there" s were no rabbits inland of the coast' sandhills. They saw no traces of > rabbits along the Motu track, nor 1 had rabbits been seen on the east' i side of the AVaihou River. ; Inspector Ross, of Napier, submit- ’ ted a report on the Maungataniwha 1 block and lands in the Mohaka ba-• ' sin. There were no rabbits on'Man n- ! gataniwha nor on the north side of the Moliaka. He was convinced there 1 was no present necessity for a fence ‘At present,” he added, “the northern hank of the Mohaka could only bo invaded by rabbits crossing the river. There will be no danger jintil it is spanned by bridges.” “ • Inspector Aymes, of -the Hawke’s Bay Rabbit Board, reported positively : “Rabbits are not to be found one vard further north than thev were two years ago.” In the course of discussion the Chairman said tho reports .practically supported the branch’s statements. I’here wore rabbits on the southern •■ide of the Mohaka River, and they lever knew the day they would be brought across, so constant vigilance was necessary. As to Opotiki, only teii rabbits had boon seen, and the ■ oflicials anticipated they would not cross the AYaihou River. But lie was credibly informed this was only a very small stream in summer, and* the danger of crossing was apparent, win Ist as the Motu was opened up the passage would be rendered easier Mr Liddle suggested that there should be a report from the inspector on this sido at .frequent periods. Visitors to Opotiki could see that directly the country was opened up tliei'e would be a passage for the rabbits. If only ten rabbits were seen why should steps not bo taken to exterminate them ? „ Tim Chairman said a committee at Opotiki would be a good step: The branch eoukl ask for another report in six months. After further discussion it was resolved,—“That copies of the-reports bo sent to the AVairoa County CouncH and this branch would suggest that the question of asking the Government to acquire a strip of bush fiom the Mohaka River to TFaikaremoana Lake, to he kept as a reserve to chock the spread of the rabbits should they cross the Mohaka. River be considered.” 1 >