RABBIT BOARD CONFERENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2863, 26 March 1925, Page 3

RABBIT BOARD CONFERENCE.

A conference of delegates representing the Rabbit Boards *on the West coast of the Wellington province was held at Feilding, on Tuesday. The chairman of the Kiwitea Rabbit Board (Trustee A. P_. Francis) presided and there were also present the following delegates:— W. L. Grice (Kiwitea), A. Campbell and B. N. Sandilands (Oroua), Gower and Raikes (Manawatu), Smart and Caldwell (Eastern Pohnngina), Knight (Umutoi), Craine and Stewart (Apiti and Pohangina) Munro (Wangaehu) Conway and Johnston (Cheltenham), Dalziell and McNair (Hunterville), Wilson and Gray (Rangitoto), Smith and Strachan (Patea), and Messrs Wright (Principal Government Inspector for the Wellington District) and 0. Mackley (stock inspector, Feilding).

Mr Jas. Penney was appointed secretary pro tern and the executive was empowered to appoint a permanent secretary. A letter was received from the Minister of Agriculture, stating that it was not considered desirable to establish rabbit poison depots in various parts of the Wellington province as requested by the last conference. Some delay had taken place in forwarding supplies from the Frankton depot, due to Wie increased demand, but difficulties in this connection had now been overcome.

Considerable discussion took place in reference to the quality of poison, and damaged tins. Air Wright stated that Government inspectors were under instructions to report all cases of inferior poison, but it happened that some farmers did not bother to lake any action. The Government did not wish to send out inferior or old poison. Trustee Wilson remarked that Ins Board had had a tin sent to the Government analyst, and it was found io contain not 10 per cent, of poison! (Laughter). The conference agreed to the suggestions re-spec-ting damaged tins and inferior poisons, which were embodied in a resolution and carried. In dseussing the matter of the life of poison, Trustee Munro stated that it was true that the power of phosphorus in sealed tins would not deteriorate, but the pollard was likely to become mouldy and would therefore not serve as a bait.

Trustee Wilson agreed and expressed the opinion that old poisoned pollard should not be allowed to be retailed.

Trustee Gower’s remit re exempting Bonds from making returns of poison sold as specified under the “Sale of Poisons Act,” was not endorsed by the conference. Trustee Gower’s remit that the Government be asked-to indent wire netting through the Association; this was seconded by Trustee Raikes and carried. . Trustee Knight moved the following remit on behalf of the Umutoi Board: “That no ratepayers be prosecuted without the consent of the Board and that no prosecution take place unless the property concerned has been first inspected by three members of the Board.” In support of the remit, the mover said that the present positioin had led to a great deal of dissatisfaction and ill-feeling. Trustee Stewart seconded. Trustee Grice considered it was an internal matter, and was not a subject for the conference. Trustee Wright considered that the Board should have the right to investigate the reports of the inspectors before the latter’s recommendations were given effect to. Trustee Gower considered that the proposal savoured of political influence, and was a step in the wrong direction. Boards should have sufficient confidence in their inspectors to see that the right thing was done. The remit was lost on the voices. Trustee Grice moved, and the chairman seconded: “That Section 82, Sub-sectiorf I of the Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1908, be amended by deleting the word “ten” and substituting therefore the word “fourteen” (days). The suggested amendment concerns the length of public notice required to be given for the purpose of levying rates Carried.

Moved by Trustee Smith: “That the Rabbit Nuisance Act be amended to empower Boards to raise by loan and utilise funds for the purpose of acquiring or building accommodation for employees’ houses.” Trustee Straehan seconded the remit, which was carried. It was resolved to recommend to the Government that 'the Act be amended to provide that the secretary of a Board also act as treasurer, as that official already performed the duties of treasurer. It was also resolved that the Act be further amended to provide for signing of cheques by two members of Rabbit Boards and the secretary. Trustee Smith moved in relation to Section 40 that an obligation be placed on all stock-owners within a rabbit district to furnish annually to rabbit boards a return of their stock. At present the Board had to seek the information and it was possible for the name of a stock owner to be missed. Seconded by Trustee Munro and carried. Decided to communicate with all boards throughout the Dominion, suggesting a Dominion Conference. OTHER BUSINESS. Trustee Sandilauds moved as a recommendation to the executive that the Act provide for the registration of factories manufacturing and selling poison for rabbits. Such a provision would put a check on

those manufacturing any inferior poison. Air Jas. Penny was appointed secretary to the conference at a salary of £25 per annum. The following executive was elected for the ensuing year: Messrs K W. Dalrymjple, A. P. Francis, C. E. Johnston, W. H. Smart and F. C. Raikes.