MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3592, 29 January 1927, 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, D. Fleming, T. A. Grammar, F. C. •Raikes, and the secretary (Mr. Roore Rangiheuea). Apologies for absence were received from Trustees J. F. McKelvie, and R. Boswell. It was decided to dispose of the Board’s remaining supply of wirenetting to Mr. W. 11. B. Smith for 15/6. Trustees Barber and Fleming were authorised to sign the itito book on behalf of the Board, for the venr 1926. RATE FOR 3927. Tt was unanimously decided that the Manawatu Rabbit. Board, make and levy a rate of three farthings per acre on all rateable property in the Manawatu Rabbit District. Such rate to be for. a period of one year from the first day of January, 1927, to the thirty-first day of December, 1927. and shall become due and payable hi one sum at the Board’s Office, Fox ton, on the first day of April, 1927, and that a discount of 2 1 per centum be allowed off all such rates (save on minimums or rates of 1/-) paid in full on or before the 2nd day of May, 1927, and further that ten per centum be added to all such rates as may be outstanding for the year if not paid on or before the 15th day of October, 1927. Accounts amounting,.to £SB 6s 5d were passed for payment. , INSPECTOR’S REPORT. During the past month 1 have been engaged in following up with inspection, the statutory notices sent, out in November. Owing to pressure of work in regard to haymaking et»., at this season of the year, rabbit destruction work has been held up to a certain extent, but notwithstanding this fact, the district as a whole, is in very fair condition for this time of the year. On a number of properties, .trapping at burrows and filling in has been, carried out, while fumigation has also been taking place in certain areas. Since last meeting I have had occasion to prosecute two farmers in the Board area for failing to destroy rabbits and in both cases convictions were recorded and finc3 indicted.

A supply of the new granular .cyanide has come to hand /and in experiments so far carried out, results have been very satisfactory. The great benefit of this particular form of cyanide is that no machine is necessary, a dessertspoonful of the grains being placed as far as possible with the arm into the “leads” of each burrow. On the majority of properties fumigation could be carried out with this method for half the cost of the machine required in most forms of fumigation.

I would recommend that a circular be sent out at the beginning of the coming month, requesting that a simultaneous pollard poisoning take place as near as possible to the 15th February on all properties in which fumigation or trapping at burrows is not being carried out Adopted.