MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 40041, 19 December 1929, Page 3

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Manawatu Babbit Boai'd was held in the Board office this afternoon, presided over ibv Mr B. G. Gower (chairman). Also present were Trustees W. E. Barber, R. Boswell, J. F. McKelvie, T. A. Gran/mar, F. C. Raikes, J. Gloyn, and the secretary (Mi* R? Rangiheuea). Mr. D. R. Barron (inspector) was also in attendance. A letter was received from C. M. Torstonson, enclosing notice of sale. —Received.

The Manawatu County Council fojwarded a list of alterations to the rate roll. —Received. FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The financial statement was read and 'adopted as follows: — Receipts: Balance 1/1/29 £6O 18/8; rates: current £226 16/2, arrears £lO Is 2d; penalties, £1 9/10; Government subsidy, £2O-3 12/6; poisons, £6B 19/6; miscellaneous, 3/11; P.O. /withdrawals £150; a total of £720 Is 9d. -

Expenditure:— Salaries, £482 3/4; printing, stationery and advertising, £22 11s 2d; office expenses, £l2 3s 2d; poisons, £l2l 8s 8d; ’phone charges, £l3 10/-; miscellaneous, £33 14/11; 'balance, £34 10/6; a total of £720 Is 9d. Accounts amounting to £96 10/7 were passed for payment. INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The following report was submitted by the Board’s inspector:— (During the past month I have been engaged in general inspection work and in following up requests for necessary work on various properties. Wet weather has held up tlie work of rabbit destruction to a certain extent hut the land is now in splendid condition for anyfumigation work required. The busy season of the farming year is now at hand and free advantage should be taken to have any necessary fumigation carried out, immediately, while conditions are so favourable. The district on the whole is in very fair order at, present although on a majority of properties inspected odd burrows can be found and farmers are not all taking all possible steps to keep their properties free frpin the pest. As I have so often remarked they consider that they have not enough rabbits ito v otrry about and it 'is this odd few remaining which help to 'keep the breed thriving, although perhaps only to a small extent. On a great majority of properties if an hour or two were spent &ay once a fortnight rabbits would be a thing of the past on a great number of properties. I would therefore advise all owners to keep a more constant watch on their properties and save themselves not only work hut also a certain amount of expense. Although this is the busy season rabbit destruction is quite as important -as any other farm work and must be carried out and the pest kept under control. I have been able to procure the services of a man for carrying out rabbit destruction work on the Crown Lands of the Rangitikei River area and lie will start work immediately after the' holidays are over.

During the month I sent out the usual Statutory Notices required under the Act to all landowners in the Board area,, including Native owners, and these notices will be followed up with personal inspection during the coming month.