THE RABBIT PEST.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2838, 27 January 1925, Page 3

THE RABBIT PEST.

“The large number of rabbits to be seen about the sandy country in the region of Bainesse and Himatangi is never more apparent than when travelling between those settlements by road early on a fine morning (says the Wairarapa News). They are met with by hundreds squatting along the road apparently sunning themselves. The passage of vehicles disturbs them only for a moment, and they quickly come out again from the lupins on the highway. Not infrequently a passing car takes toll, especially in the late afternoon or at night when the startled quadrapeds are dazzled by powerful headlights.” It is an exaggeration to say that rabbits are to be seen on .the roadside in hundreds. Certainly there are a few to be seen, but since the formation of the Rabbit Board there has been a considerable diminution, and if settlers carry out the Board’s policy in regard to poisoning a great clearance will be effected. The poor land in the Himatangi locality is covered with lupin and other growth which affords ideal shelter for breeding purposes and special attention must be given to such localities. As was pointed out by the Magistrate when dealing with the subject last week, to rely oil professional trapping is futile and settlers must lie prepared to deal with the pest in a more comprehensive wav. It is satisfactory to note that since the formation of the Board considerable work has been done by settlers in combating the pest, with satisfactory results, but unless all co-operate in the scheme of destruction, much of the work will he nullified.