MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2840, 31 January 1925, Page 2

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

INSPECTOR’S REPORT. At Thursday’s meeting of the Manawatu Rabbit Board the Inspector (Mr Barron) reported as follows: — “During the past, month I have been engaged in the inspection of properties in various parts of the district. In three instances I have instituted proceedings against farmers for failing to destroy rabbits, and in each case Ihe Magistrate has entered a conviction and each defendant was fined £5 and costs. Summaries of cases are attached to this report. T think that farmers are beginning to realise that the Board is in earnest on the question of rabbit destruction and more interest is being taken in the work of destroying rabbits. “Farmers in the Mangawhata and part of tlu* Glen Oroua district have been persuaded to go in for bi-sul-phide fumigation and there is no doubt that this country can be effectively cleaned by this method. It is onlv a matter of time, I am sure, that all farmers in these two localities will see the benefits their neighbours have derived through the use of bi-sulphide. Wherever a man goes in systematically for this method of destruction, it will be encumbent on his neighbours to carry on a similar work, so that the Board's policy of protecting the man who is dealing efficiently with Ihe ialihits may la* carried out. “During the month I sent out statutory notices to destroy rabbits, together with a now draft of regulations prohibiting trapping in any shape or form for a period of three months from date of service of notice. I also sent out a circular giving particulars of a systematic pollard poisoning to be commenced between Ihe oth and ISili of February. This poisoning concerns those properties which are not being fumigated. Much will depend on this late summer poisoning, which, if properly carried out will be very effective and help to preserve the autumn feed for farmers and consequently make the period of winter feeding shorter. “During the coming month I intend to carry out personal inspections of the various parts of the district to see that the Board’s instructions are carried out.” The inspector’s report was adopted on the motion of Messrs Raikes and Grammar. It was decided to inform Mr C. Watkins that the Board has the power to alter its boundary to except his property from area. * AN APPRECIATION. In referring to the work of the Board since its inception, the chairman (Mr B. G. Gower) paid a compliment to the clerk, Mr R. Rangiheuea. In doing so, he said the clerk was “the right man in the right place” and had discharged his duties with utmost satisfaction. Other members of the Board endorsee the chairman’s eulogy of the clerk’s s vices.