MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3568, 27 November 1926, Page 3

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting -of the Manawatu 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, Fleming, Gloyn and the secretary (Mr R. Ragniheuea). The inspector (Mr D. R. Barron) was| also present. Apologies for absence were received from Trustees Grammar and McKelvie. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows: From the Rabbit Boards Association, suggesting that a conference of all Rabbit Inspectors be held. — Decided to adopt, the suggestion, it being suggested that any recommendations or minutes arising out of such conference be referred to the various Boards by its secretary before submitting same to the Association. Such conference to be held in the month of January in eachl’and every year. From same, asking the Board to vary or accept the proposed title and rules of the Association. —Adopted subject to rule 5 being varied in so far as it applies to the question of annual subscription, and it was decided to recommend that all contribut'ories be levied on a flat rate basis in lieu of the proposed sliding scale, as each body is only entitled to one, delegate under the proposed rule. Mr Watkins, of Rongotea, waited on the Board for the purpose of having his property excluded from the Manawatu Rabbit district, or exempted from paying rates to the Board. After hearing Mr Watkins, the Board advised him to approach Mr Linklater, who would place his case before the Minister in charge of Rabbit Boards, and “The Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1908.” INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The Inspector (Mr Barron) reported as follows: The weather during the past month has been much more favourable for the work of rabbit destruction, and on a number of properties the work advised by circular has been and is being carried out. During the past three weeks, a noticeable fact has been the increase of young rabbits and it is with these, for the most part, that the farmer will have to deal with from now on. As previously adivsed, it is imperative that the destruction of these rabbits must be taken in hand immediately if present conditions are to obtain in the district.

On certain road lines in the district, rabbits are in evidence and under the “Rabbt Nuisance Act” it is necessary for farmers to keep the side of the road adjacent to their properties clear of the pest. Taken all over, the district is not in as good order as it was two months ago, and this bears out the fact which I have stressed so strongly, that in the spring time farmers have a false idea as to the number of rabbits on their properties, until they see the young ones resulting from perhaps only half a dozen does left on their properties after the winter work. I would strongly advise all those property owners in the “clear” country to either fumigate or trap burrows immediately. Granular cyanide can now be obtained from the Board for fummigation of burrows, and as no machine is necessary for the use of granular cyanide, I would advise farmers to make a trial of this on their properties. During the past month, I sent out the statutory notices required under the Act, to all'owners or occupiers of land in the Board area, including the native portion, and during the coming month I will follow these up with a personal inspection.—Adopted., Accounts amounting to £54 9/9 were passed for payment.