MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2817, 29 November 1924, Page 2

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board was held in the Board’s office on Thursday, presided over by Mr B. G. Gower (chairman. There were also present: Trustees \Y. E. Barber, McKelvie, Raikes, Fleming, Grammar and the secretary (Mr Roore Rangiheuea). Mr D. R. Barron (Rabbit Inspector) was also in attendance. Apologies for absence were received from Trustees Boswell and Gloyn. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows; From the Director-General re draft regulations.—Resolved to ap prove of the Principal District In spec tor’s recommendations to modify the Board’s proposed regulations in the direction as suggested in the D i rec tor-General’s letter.

From Manawatu Herald re notice of overdue rates. —Resolved to send out final notices to ratepayers notifying them that if rates are not paid on or before 10th pros, proceedings for recovery will be taken immediately.

From Mr H. Akers, enclosing rates under protest, and setting out his reasons for protest. —Received. From the Principal District Inspector, covering mounted plans of the Manawatu Rabbit Board district. —Received.

From Mr A. McKenzie, jiiul Mr Leu. -McKclvie, pointing out- that the Rangitikei Riverbed land is owned by the Crown. —Resolved to instruct tire secretary to forward Trustee Fleming copies of the above letters, in order to enable his Department to confer with the Crown Lands Department as to the question of ownership, destruction of rabbits, and payment of rates. From Registrar of Poisons, advising that every servant of the Board who sells poisons must make per sonal application for registration as a vendor of poisons.—Resolved to forward by way of a remit to the next annual conference of Rabbit Boards that such boards be given exemption in the matter of making returns as specified under the Poisons Act. Resolved to draw the attention of I lie Manawatu County Council to the alarming - increase of lupins whicln doubtless, harbour rabbits and to urge that body to take the necessary steps for the provision of means to eradicate and control same. Accounts totalling £(i7 3/6 were passed for payment. It was decided that the next meeting of the Board be held on Wednesday, 17th prox. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The Inspector (Mr D. R. Barron) reported as follows: — “I completed my inspection of the remaining pajrt of the district towards the latter end of the last month, and have since been occupied in following up by inspection the notices sent out by me on the 10th October. In a great majority of cases poisoning has been carried out with good results, especially in some parts of the district, notably Bainesse and parts of Taikorea, while in other parts results have not been rpiite so satisfactory. On several places visited so far, no work has been .done, while in some eases promises of work have been made. In instances where no r tiling lias been done and no interest or means taken for the destruction of rabbits, I have sent out warning notices and unless these notices are complied with, 1 intend to have joint inspections made of such properties, and prosecutions will follow, as 1 intend to fully protect the owner who is doing his share from the man who at present is doing his best to evade his responsibilities. “I have so far conducted fumiga--1 ion demonstrations in the use of bisulplhde at Glen Oroua, Rangiotu, Baines-.;-, and on Mr Renton’s property at Himatangi, but the attendances at these demonstrations, with the except ion of Glen Oroua, have not been as good as 1 desired. I have fifteen fmnigators on order and these can lie obtained from the Board at J.T) 15/- each. At all the demonstrations (lie bi-sulphide has had the desired effect and has done good work, and has proved that it is by far the best and quickest means that can be employed in the destruction of rabbits in country on which there is not too much cover.

“1 have made further enquiries in regard to the land adjacent to the Rangitikei River and find that some of this land has been sold by the Government and is now a portion of the freehold portion of the land adjoining, while in other ea'ses the river bed areas have been leased for periods of from one to five years, lii some cases the land does hot belong to anyone, but in all cases it is in the interests of the owner, whose land adjoins the river bed, to keep the rabbits down on the river bed area. At this time of the year, when feed is plentiful on the river bed areas, there is not the trouble on the land adjoining, but later on, when the feed is dried up, the rabbits will make inroad into the adjoining heavier country. It would be a good policy on the part of the Lands Department if they were to offer river bed areas to adjacent land owners, free of rent, provided they cleared the area of gorse and rabbits and kept it so cleared. “I intend this coming month, to carry out one more fumigation demonstration and to follow up with personal inspection the notices already sent out, and see that each owner of land is carrying out the work required of him.”-—Adopted.