MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2929, 29 August 1925, Page 2

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Maim wafu Rabbit Board was held in the secretary’s office on Thursday, presided over by the Chairman (Mr. B. G. Gower). Also present were: Trustees W. E. Barber, Boswell, McKelvie, and the secretary (Mr. fioore Rnngiheuea). Mr. D. R. Barron (Board Inspector) was also in attendance. Apologies for absence were received from Trustees Flemming, Gloyn, Raikes,' and Grammar CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows : From the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, conveying to the Board its appreciation of the work done to destroy rabbits in the Manawatu Rabbit district. —Received. From Messrs. Wright and Stephenson and Co., circularising the Board re Cyanogas. —Received. It was decided to purchase ten chairs for use in the office. The chairman’s action in authorising the poisoning of highways in the Board’s district was endorsed. It was resolved to take out an E.L. Policy for £3OO to cover casual rabbit ers. Decided to write the Minister of Agriculture asking him to effect the protection of hawks within the rabbit infested districts. Mr. Roore Rnngiheuea was appointed the Board's Returning Officer. Accounts amounting to £IOO 10s 5d were passed for payment. INSPECTOR’S REPORT.

The Board Inspector reported a follows:

During the past month I have been engaged in the general inspection of properties in the Board area. On the majority of places good work has been done, but further work must he carried out, til present, as breeding is going on apace in all localities, and it is at this time of the year that the most important work is done. During the month demonstrations in the use of eyamidc. were given in two localities in the Board’s area, and both were very successful it going to show the rapid and deadly nature of this means of rabbit destruction. The blower purchased by the Board is now to band, and I have engaged men to carry out the work in certain localities. beginnig on the Ist September. Tam quite sure that when farmers see for themselves the result of this definite work in the cleaning of properties by means of ( ' anide, they will take up the work in earnest, and so save continual poisonings on land which can he suitably cleaned by means of this svslcm.

I understand that the different

Acclimatisation Societies are at pre-cut inlying (id per pair for hawk’s feet, and as it is a wellknown fm-t that hawks are respon-

-ible for the destruction of many rabbit-. 1 would strongly recommend tiic Hoard to request the societies to discontinue the killing of hawks, and even further, I consider that in rabbit infested areas, hawks should he protected. Too much at present is being done in New Zealand in make a productive country into a so-called paradise for sportsmen.

During the past month 1 had occasion to prosecute a landowner for failing to destroy rabbits, and after lengthy evidence had been given, the Magistrate entered a conviction, and defendant was lined £5 and costs totalling £4 Is

On the 18th insf. I sent out circulars to all land-owners in the

Board area, requesting them to carry out during the last week in August, cither a phospliorised pollard and strychnined carrot poisoning in furrows. If the poisoning is successfully and conceitedly carried out, it will do much to minimise the breeding of young rabbits, which is now at its height. I have received a report from the Solicitor-General re the matter of wire netting certain blocks in the Board's area, and 1 trust the board will go fully into this matter. During the coming month, 1 will follow up with personal inspection the general poisoning circular seat out on the 18th inst., and also further extend the work of fumigation. —Adopted.