MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3875, 24 November 1928, Page 3

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

FIRST MEETING OF NEW BOARD. The first meeting of the newly elected trustees of the Manawatu Rabbit Board was held in the Board’s Office on Thursday, when there were present: Trs. B. G. Gower, A. Cook, R. Boswell, T. A. Grammar, F. 'C. Raikes, J. Gloyn and the secretary (Mr. R. Rangiheuea). Mr. D. R. Barron (inspector) was also in attendance. Apologies for absence were received from Trs. W. E. Barber and J. F. MeKelvie. Gazetted list, of trustees. —The Returning Officer (Mr. Roore Rangiheuea) presided and after reading the list of persons duly elected as trustees of the Board called for nominations for the position of chairman. Chairman. —It was resolved on the motion of Messrs Gloyn and Grammer to re-elect Tr. B. G. Gower to the position of chairman for the ensuing term. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE was read and dealt with as follows :

From Rangitoto Rabbit Board, asking whether the Board has considered the question of taking over the control of noxious weeds in the

Manawatu Rabbit area. — Held

over. From Department of Internal Affairs, advising that in view of the occupiers of property whose property is being damaged by hares being able to obtain permission to destroy the animals on such property it was not considered desirable to remove the protection on hares in the Manawatu Rabbit area. —Resolved to refer the question of asking the Department to have the protection on hares removed to the member for the district. From Manawatu County Council, supporting the Board’s endeavour to have the protection on hares removed. —'Received. From Treasury, forwarding voucher for tines re failure to destroy rabbits. —Received. From Manawatu County Council, enclosing list of alterations to the County Rate Roll for the month. — Received. Accounts amounting to £Bl 15s 5d were passed for payment. December meeting. —It was decided to cancel the December meeting of -the Board. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The inspector’s report was read and adopted as follows: — During the past month I have been engaged in the general inspection of properties in the Board area and have also followed up with personal inspection the letters sent to landowners whose properties were in need of fumigation being carried out. In the latter case the requests for this necessary work have been complied with, and good results have been obtained. Heavy rains have delayed rabbit destruction work to a certain, extent during the month, but at present there seems to be every appearance of a dry summer being experienced, and if this should be the case stricter attention will have to be paid to the eradication of rabbits more especially at the present time if the district is to be improved to any extent.

Taken all over, the district at the present time is in very fair order, and I think in a much better condition than it was this time last year. : . A great amount of this improvement is due to the use of granular cyanide fumigation being carried out on almost the majority of properties in the Board area where cover does not exist to any great extent. The area which is at present giving the most trouble is the land adjoining the Rangitikei river for a distance of some miles down from the northern end of the district. Owing to the amount of cover on the islands and river-bed in this area, there has not been the same headway made as in the other parts of the district, and particular attention from now on will have to lie paid to the area in question. I may say it presents a number of difficulties which are not found in other parts of the district, but the spreading of the rabbits on to the good ground can quite easily be prevented. A large amount of cover is also to be found in the southern part of the district, but this is in very good order at present, and the eradication of rabbits has been very successful, and in this area some of the cleanest land in the district is to be found. The other area to which greater attention might be paid is situated in the centre of the district, but I am glad to say this is gradually being improved, and should not cause any great trouble if proper attention is paid to it during the next twelve months. This remark also applies to the first area in question but the improvement in regard to it may take longer.

During the coming month I shall send out the usual statutory notices required under the Act to all landowners in, the Board area and shall carry out general inspection work. The chairman commented upon this work of the Board which, he thought, had done good work in the control of the rabbit pest, although some farmers were unfortunately inclined to ignore their obligations in its eradication. However, steps would be taken to make .these individuals fall into line with the greater number of settlers whose properties were reasonably free from the pest. During the month pressure had been brought to bear on several farmers who had not taken steps to control the nuisance, and without exception, these had promised to remedy the position as quickly as possible.