MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4444, 26 April 1930, Page 2

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

—— -♦ .WANTAD MEKTI X<!. The annual meeting of the MMuawntu Rabbit Hoard was ludd in the Hoard’s office on Thursday, presided over by Mr. H. (!. (tower (chairman,). Also present svere Truslees .1. (tloyn, W. H. Barber, p. C. li’aikes, .). P. McKelvie, (Irani, li. Hoswell nnd the seerelary (.Mr. I(. I.’.ingiheiiea). Mr. I). li, P.arron (inspector) was also in attendance.

AXXCAE REPORT. The ehairm.iii's .•inniiul reporl (as previnusly published) svas read and adopted. The balance-sheet was also read and adopted subject to audit. The hillei showed a very satisPirlory stale id affairs, Trustee F. P. |(,uikes remarking that il was very sal islYietory to find all the rales except Cl I had been paid up. I.'AXGITIKEI RIVER HKD POISOXIXG. Trustee F. ('. Ritikes said I lie best pari of the chairman's report was the reference Id I Ik* Rangitikei liiver lied poisoning. Rabbits, he

said, had been on the riverbed from time immemorial.

Truslee McKelvie said that the rabbi! s were first introduced into ibis dist riel by being pineed on the Rangitikei River bed. Trn-tee R’aikes: And it’s been a hut bed ever since. Tin" chairman remarked that the poisoning had been verv successful.

Tiusiee (iloyu said ilia! the year had witnessed good eradication work. Tin- inspector reported that uiueiv per coni', of the raid tils had l.- iii destroyed, lie though! that il would lie verv diliicnlt to find rabbits on some properties to-day.

llob'OW lIF.XFA R.VHHTT DISTRICT. Trustee W. F. Harher asked how i lie settlers in the Tlorowhenua dis- ; rii-! were getting on with the formation of n Rabbit Hoard in that •i t of the district. The seerelary said that a enn>uss was still being made of properly owners for signatures for lhe necessary petition. There was nothing to reporl exeepl that llie matter was slill in hand. XOXiors WEEDS.

A letler was received from the Principal Inspector, Department

\grieiiil lire, Wellington, forwarding a lisi of Rulihil Hoards whose in - -jieciors had been gazetted as noxious weeds inspectors. They were a- follows:- -lliintervillo Board, J. inspector; Knvitea. two; Apili-Po-I'angina Hoard, one; Eastern Pohniigina Hoard, one; Cheltenham Hoard, one; Oroiia Hoard, three; Ai oa wha ngo Hoard, one and Ptlkeo-kahu-Tnoroa Hoard, one. Tlte.se ii!s|ie."lors. lhe Principal inspector -1 a led, had been nppninfed at the n-ipiesl of (heir I'Csped iVe hoards ■ml had all the powers of a (luvi iii'iieiil Inspector williia llie respective areas for whieh they had a. i n appoinied, but that did not affect llie powers of the (lovernmenl I uspreior. who slid would supervise ihe dist riel as regarded noxious weeds and had full power to at any lime lake action against any dofa uI 1 ei's. Where t'oiirl action was iiecessa ry in regard io the above Ihe usual procedure was for the (b>\'eminent Inspector to lake the proceedings alter Ihe Hoard’s insjieeho' had served tile notices. The Inspector stated, in conclusion, lliai Ihe appointment of Hoards (.Hirers as inspectors, was working vrr\ salisj'aclorilv and much good

work had been done. The chairman intimated that the in fiii'iiiation contained in the letter * 1 11 It! prov e useful when the Hoard discussed the mallei' after the eoni crem-e on .1 line 71th. Trustee W. IT Hnrlier considered i lie Hoard would have to increase its rate if it intended taking over the control of noxious weeds as well as rabbits. There were large areas the Inspector did not inspect for rabbits such as swamps, which nitit require inspection from a noxious weeds point of view.

Trustee (Irani said that lie thought both works would combine quite well. Both inspections could lie done at the same ■time. The rabbits bad now been reduced by ninety per cent, and would not prove a serious menace in the fix - t u re.

’Plie matter was not. discussed Surthcr, it being decided to hold the matter over until after the conference. IXSPFCTOR'R RHPOKT.

Mr. D. K. Barron (inspector) reported as follows: — During' the mouth the district has g.eally benefited by the recent lain and I would advise all pro-perty-owners to carry out fumigation immediately wherever rabbits are in evidence as tin* land is in splendid order at present for Unsatisfactory carrying out of sneti work and any work done now will save lime and greater expense later in the season. As pointed out on a previous occasion, breeding has never slopped since the spring and the carrying out of fumigation is most necessary on n great number of properties. During the month 1 had occasion to have a joint: inspection made of a property in the Hoard's area which resulted in my having to lay an information against a landowner for failing to destroy rabbits on his property and the matter will he dealt with by the Court next month. During the coming month 1 shall be engaged in general inspection work. The report was adopted. ■GENERAL.

Accounts amounting to £73 14/S •.yen: passed for payment. Trustees F. C. Radios, and .1. F. MeKelvie were authorised to sign the rate book.