The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, March 24, 1910. THE RABBIT TRADE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 818, 24 March 1910, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Thursday, March 24, 1910. THE RABBIT TRADE.

Tiik vast increase of the rabbit pest in the South this year is not regarded as altogether an uumixed evil. The trapping season is just now commencing, and as areas nearer the centres of population than have been available for some years will pay handsomely for clearing, it is likely that the army of trappers will be substantially augumented. The industry is worked on somewhat peculiar lines. The landholder takes no part in the business, but merely allows competent men to camp upon and work over his ground, allotting them blocks for the purpose. In some cases where the rabbits are very thick and easily caught, the owner demands a royalty on the catches ; but this is not very often done. Although it cannot be claimed that the results compensate for the depredations of the pest, still the trade is a very lucrative one. Several millions of frozen rabbits are exported every season, and as each carcase represents a net return of something over twopence to the trapper, it will be seen that the rabbit is at least made to pay for some part of his keep. With the growth of the system of trapping for export, the business of exporting the skins alone has languished. No fewer than 17,000,000 skins, of a value of ,£138,952, were exported in 1893, as against 5,500,00 c, valued at ,£52,757, in 1907. Eately news has come to hand from Home that rabbit pelts, after being scientifically treated, are entering, with rubber, exclusively into the manufacture of motor tyres. This new departure has enormously increased the demand for rabbitskins —a demand, which, it may be noted in passing, the southern portions of this island should be delighted to cater for, as the pest there has not been so widespread for years. It is questioned, however, whether the skins of frozen rabbits will be suitable for the purpose referred to, in which case the old system of thorough summer poisoning and winter trapping for skins only will require to be resorted to. In any case, in view of the shortage of fur at Horae, and the good prices ruling for the frozen carcases. Brer Rabbit will need to lie lower than ever before if he desires to perpetuate his species in anything like the abundance to be noted at present.