THE RABBIT PEST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2521, 7 June 1909, Page 6

THE RABBIT PEST.

MEETING !N GISBORNE.

RABBIT BOARD TO BE FORMED

The adjourned meeting of farmers and landowners held at the Farmers’ Union Club room on Saturday to discuss the means to check the rabbit pest was largely attended. Mr. W. D. Lysnar occupied the, chair. The Chairman said that after the last meeting he had sent the following letter to- Mr. E. Clifton. Chief Inspector of St-oc'k: “The Gisborne Farmers’ Union have been investigating the question of the spread of the rabbits in this district, and of late have had serious occasion to fear this danger was increasing considerably, and at the request of the Union, your inspector for Hawke’s Bay (Mr. floss) had a conference here, when he confirmed this information that there was danger, and it was unanimously decided by a representative meeting to form a Itabbit Board and to construct, a :-abbit-oroof fence. We would be glad if you would instruct Mr. Ross to locate a suitable line near the Mohaka River and Galatea for the fence, and to supply an estimate of the cost, and also instruct Inspector Miller, of Gisborne, to proceed and similarly report regarding Motu side. We have every reason for saying we are threatened from the localities mentioned, and I trust jeu will see' jour way to assist this district by giving instructions for the -above information to be supplied to us.” To which Mr. Clifton replied that he had noted with pleasure that the Association had held a conference with Inspector Ross, of Napier, regarding the threatened invasion of the Poverty Bay district by rabbits, and that it was intended to form a Rabbit Board, and to construct rabbit-proof fences for the control of the pest.' As to the request that Inspectors Ross (Napier) and Miller (Gisborne) should locate suitable lines for the fence, he thought it should hardly be left to these officers to indicate such lines, for it was placing on their shoulders a responsibility which he did ,not consider desirable they should be asked to bear. On the other hand, if the Union appointed representatives for the purpose of making a careful investigation of the country, he would be happy to instruct the officers to render every possible assistance. Mr. A. P. Durrant, clerk of the Waiapu County Council, wrote stating that they fully recognised the danger through the spread of rabbits, and were in sympathy with the movement, but they desired further time to consider the proposals before committing themselves to any definite course. The Council was very doubtful as to the efficacy of fencing. The Chairman also read telegrams sent to the Wairoa and Waiapu County Councils, and said the Wairoa Council had not yet replied. Mr. Lysnar, Continuing, said the meeting had been adjourned to see if the County Councils had any objections to the proposed boundaries of the rabbit-proof 'fence. While a fence might not be an absolute bar to rabbits it would be ,a base from which, the rabbitors could work and it would keep the nest down. If a Rabbit- Board was formed stock could be rated up to Id per sheep, cattle to count as 5 sheep, and the Government subsidy would be £ for £ on tile rates collected. The fence between Wairarapa and Hawke’s Bay districts-had kept the-Napier side from being swarmed with rabbits, and a fence would go a long way to keep the rabbits off the Poverty Bay lands. He thought the meeting should confirm the proposal that a Rabbit Board bo established and a committee appointed to circulate a petition among the farmers for, signature. He moved that the committee be Messrs. 0. Gray, J. C. Field, J. C. Parker, J. Clark,, J. C. Murphy. A. J. Cameron, W. R. Bruce, E. M. Hutchinson, and himself (Mr. Lysnar). Mr. W. Graham seconded the motion which was carried. The meeting then adjourned and the committee remained to discuss what future action would be taken' when it was, decided that a : Rabbit Board should be set up by the sheepowners of the district. The Act provides for three classes of Boards. The Committee decided that thb Board for this district should be set up under part 11. of the Act; also to communicate with the Opotiki County Council suggesting to it that- Opotiki should, be included in the area, and that this district should act in. conjunction with Opotiki district to eradicate the rabbits in the: latter district as they ire at present confined to a small locality. It was also decided that the Government be requested to at once put on men to check the spread of rabbits on the Galatea side, from which this district is at present threatened.