MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2965, 21 November 1925, Page 2

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

The first meeting of the newly elected Board was held in the secretary’s office on Thursday morning. All the sitting members were reelected at the poll and there were present at the meeting Messrs. W. E. Barber, R. Boswell, J.' Gloyn, B. G. Gower, J. F. McKelvie and F. C. Raikes. Mr. D, Barron, Board Inspector was also in attendance. On the motion of Trustee Gloyn and McKelvie Mr. B. G. Gower was unanimously re-elected as chairman. In returning thanks for hi.s reelection to the chair, Mr Gower congratulated his co-trustees on their re-election to the Board. He also referred to the good work done by the Board during the first twelve months and hoped they would have another successful term of office this year. . Mr. W. Barber was re-elected treasurer. CORRESPONDENCE was read arid dealt with as follows : From Mr. J. Davey, Himatangi, complaining that he lias' received a notice to destrby rabbits where-# as he had just finished work in This connection.

The Inspector elucidated the position and it was decided that the mattep be left in the hands of the Inspector. From Messrs Andrew and Sons, Palmerston North re office chairs, stating that since quoting for “Douglas” chairs they have not been able to supply the articles and offering the Board another chair at a different figure. Members where of opinios that the firm should'not have quoted for the chairs if they could not supply them. Their offer had been accepted.

It was decided to request the firm to supply the chair originally quoted for.

From K. W. Dalrymple, of Bulls, complaining about the highness of the Board’s rates and the steps taken by the Board to. eradicate rabbits. Also requesting for a copy of the Board’s balance-sheet.

Objection was taken to Mr. Dalrymple’s allegations in connection with the rabbits and it was decided to forward him a copy of the balance-sheet, as published. From the New Zealand Railways, acknowledging receipt of letter re eradication of gorse and lupins on the Foxton-Rangiotu road.—Received. 1

Accounts amounting to £BS 8s 2d were passed for payment.

INSPECTOR’S REPORT,

The Inspector’s Report was read as follows:—

During the past month I have been engaged in the general inspection of properties in the Board area. In the majority of eases where poisoning was neeessary the same has been carried out, although in some cases it has been too protracted, due to a great extent on the inability to put the work in hand owing to pressure of other duties. It is most essential at this time of the year, that farmers should realize the necessity of intensive rabbit destruction on account of the rapid natural increase through breeding. A great number of fanners, having completed a poisoning are too content to rest on their oars, and assume that their places are clean, whereas, were this poisoning followed up with other neeessary work, they might later on have the satisfaction of knowing that their places are actually clean as regard the presence of rabbits. On a fair percentage of properties at present, young rabbits are fairly numerous. Unless strict precautions are taken from now on the pest will materially increase, and I would strongly urge farmers to realize that the work of rabbit destruction is as important as any other work on the farm, and owners must, lie prepared to contribute a certain amount of cash towards the eradication of the pest. Fumigation on a number of properties is being proceeded with and 1 have placed three more cyanide fumigators in the district during the past month. At the end of the present month I will send out the usual Statutory Notices as required under the Raffs hit Act, and it will be for the Board to say whether the regulations regarding trapping shall be enforced. Personally lam of the opinion that trapping at the mouths of burrows, which have been opened after being filled in, should 'be allowed, but indiscriminate scrape trapping, except under exceptional circumstances, should be prohibited. —Adopted.