MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2790, 27 September 1924, Page 3

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the above Board was held at the Board office on Thursday. Present: Messrs B. G Gower (chairman), Gloyne, Grammar, Rnikes, McKelvie, W. E. Bar- , R. Boswell and the inspector t Barron) and secretary (Mr Ro- - Rnngiheuea). INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

“The country over which I have travelled since the beginning of this month has been mainly the northeastern portion of the district from Oroua Downs up, and also the country below the Rangiotn Road from Bainesse to Rangiotn. The majority of this country is not so badly infested with rabbits as that visited last month, although in places where no systematic work has been carried out, the rabbits are very prevalent and with the increasing number of young rabbits about, unless strict measures are taken, the rabbits will be as numerous as they were before the winter.

“One of the worst harbours for ■abbits in this district is the country adjacent to the Rangitikei River bed, and something must he done by the persons responsible for this land, in order to clear the land adjacent to the river.

“Very little poisoning lias been done on the .country below the Bain-esse-Rangiotu Road adjoining the northern side of the property owned by . Mr Edward Barber. A lot of this country lias been trapped continually with ery poor results. ‘A number of owners whom 1 ;ive called upon seem to be satisid with what has been done on theproperties by professional rabiters and are content to settle down ,ain until such time as they can ■ ve their rabbiting done for noting. From now on until the end : >f .January is the most important time for owners to get to work, and each owner must be prepared to spend a certain amount of money in cleaning his property. A few scattered owners of land in this district are doing good work in trying t-o keep their rabbits down, and their efforts will be futile unless every man does his share in clearing his property. I am more convinced than aver, that a general systematic poisoning, such as I in my last report, is necessary. I have noticed a great number of black rabbits about the country and this fact in itself is a sure sign of rabbits being much too numerous. “Although it has been a difficult matter to secure good, sound carrots for delivery qext month, I have been successful in obtaining an op-

tiou over six tons and I would suggest that the Board purchase these and 2>lace them in equal quantities at Messrs Pond’s, Baiiies.se; Mills’ store, Oroua Downs; and the remainder at the Board’s office, in Foxton, payment cash on delivery, so that each owner of land in the Board's area will have no difficulty in obtaining carrots for carrying out his poisoning. I have also arranged with Mr Pond to have the strychnine paste made up ready for using at a charge of 5/- per bottle, one bottle being sufficient for 200 acres.

“I would strongly recommend the Board to adopt this method immediately and I have no doubt as to results. “The demonstration in the use of bi-sulphide fumigation in country such as that which exists in this district, has been entirely successful T carried out two experiments in fumigating at a property at Oroua Downs on sandy country, and in both cases the best results have lieen obtained, and no holes have been opened. Under these circumstances, there is no possible doubt that on a great area of this country —subsequent to a good poisoning—-bi-sulphide' fumigation is undoubtedly the best inethod to adopt, “I would suggest that a demonstration in fumigation he given at a later date on the properties of Messrs Glovn, Boswell and Gramma.]-, whose properties would serve the different parts of the district. “I intend sending out the Statutory rabbit notices at tbe beginning of October and would at the same time circularise each owner of land re tbe general poisoning and also enclose a copy of the Board regulations as gazetted. “It will he necessary for the Board to obtain a permit from Wellington to sell poison and the Government will provide books for each receiver of strychnine to sign.”—Adopled. Correspondence was read from Mr E. D. Barber, asking whether tbe Boaul would exempt areas totally enclosed with wire-netting fences and slating that a number of farmers bad adopted this means of fighting the rabbit pest. —On tbe motion of Messrs Glovn and Boswell, it was decided to inform Air Barber that the Board has no authority to exempt owners from paying rates. Tt was decided to procure six tons of carrots, to be distributed at suitable localities throughout the district by the inspector. The question of dealing with the infested and breeding area on the Rangitikei river was discussed. Mr McKelvie said this area was Government property and was a prolific. breeding ground. On tbe motion of Messrs Barber and Grammar, the inspector was authorised to ascertain the ownership of this area and to take the necessary steps to enforce the Board’s powers under the Act. The secretary was instructed to obtain the necessary permit from the Government for the sale of poison and to procure the necessary books for signature. —Messrs Pond and Mills were also appointed to sell poison on behalf of the board. Tbe Board’s regulations as amended were authorised to be gazetted, and settlers to be supplied with copies of same. Accounts amounting to £6l 13/4 were passed for payment.