THE RABBIT PEST

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 148, 8 June 1935, Page 8

THE RABBIT PEST

Greater Measure of Control NEW BOARD MEETS At the first meeting of the newlyeleeted Hawke’s Bay Rabbit Board there were present Messrs. J. B. Campbell, T. E. Crosse, L. M. Monckton, E. Averill, H. E. Allen and Chief Inspector D. Scott. Leave of absence was granted Mr M. Greenwood. After receiving the returning officer’s report of the election, the board unani niously re-elected Mr T. E. Crosse as chairman, eulogistic references to his long service to the board being made by all members. The chairman’s report for the twelve months just passed was read and adopted. Mr Crosse reported to the board on an unofficial conference which was held between himself and certain members of the Hawke’s Bay County Council to discuss the question of noxious weeds control, and a sub-committee consisting of the chairman and Messrs Averill and Allen was appointed to confer with the County Council regarding this matter, the committee to report back to the board. Accounts amounting to £412 were passed for payment. General correspondence was dealt with, and the inspectors’ reports were read, members considering that the position as shown by them was more satisfactory than it had been for at least twelve months. The secretary reported that rates were coming in in a very satisfactory manner, over £7OO having been received during the latter half of May. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. ' The chairman's report was as fol lows:— “I have to report as follows I for the year. The period under review Ims been a most unfortunate one for the board. Our old friend, Chief Inspector Amyes, who for over 40 years has given the board and the ratepayers the utmost satisfaction, had to ask for the termination of his engagement, owing to continued ill health. This

was done with the greatest reluctance three months ago. “The board’s secretary, the late Mr J. W. Findlay, passed away some months ago. He had been suffering from a severe illness for a long time, but in spite of that he continued, with the help of his daughter, to carefully administer the financial affairs of your board. “Members will remember that during the general slump the board made every effort to ease the burden of rates on behalf of the farmers, no rate being collected one year, while in another year only half the usual rate was collected. Many of our ratepayers found difficulty in employing sufficient labour to thoroughly cope with the rabbit pest and the conditions generally became unsatisfactory. The board was unanimous in deciding to force increased measures for dealing with the situation, and I am quite satisfied that during the last six months considerable improvement has taken place. FINANCIAL POSITION. “The financial position of the board has been strained during the last three months, this condition being principally brought about by causes referred to above, and also owing to an alteration in the date for payment of rates. The position is now improving, however, and rates are coming in in a very satisfactory manner. “Mr Kelly, our secretary, has, since his appointment, completely revised the ratepayers’ roll, this being rendered necessary to meet the requirements for postal voting. In addition he is opening a new set of books, which will simplify the work and make it safer, as members will realise that the Government Auditor is continually inventing some additional requirements. “Mr Scott, who was appointed to the position of chief inspector a short while ago, has carefully inspected the weak est portions of our district since on’ last meeting, and reports the great majority of holdings to., be in a very much improved condition. The use o pollard poison during the Reason has given very satisfactory results. W. have used it considerably more than usual, and on a greater variety of country, the results being fairly similar right from Porangahau to Mohaka. “The thanks of the board are due to the Press for the careful reporting of i our inspectors’ monthly movements.’’