MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 118, 17 April 1940, Page 10

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, April 16. At the monthly meeting' of ihe Manawatu Rabbit Board Trustee B. G. Gower presided. It was decided to support the executive in its desire to lodge an appeal with the Arbitration Court a'guinst tbe current award. The inspector (Mr D. R. Barron) reported:— Area 1, bounded by Shannon Road. Manawatu River, to Rangiotu, Fox ton-11 iirialangi-Rangiotu Highway ; The clear from “cover” country in tin's area is very free from rabbits at present. ’ On certain “cover” area however, there is more evidence of rabbits. Area 2, bounded by main jlimatangi-Rangiotu highway, Sanson highway, Taikorea and Main Drain Road: This area also contains a large amount of “cover” country which is not in such good order as that in Area 1. This part of tho board’s district lias always been the most troublesome. The majority of the clear area is in good order and can be classed as satisfactory, 'but the amount of “cover” in this portion will always make it hard to keep the clear country in good order. Area 3, bounded by Sanson Highway, 1 aikorca Road, Rongotoa Siding Road and Couplers Line: There is only a comparatively small amount of “cover” in this area, and it is in the same condition as that in Area 2, and requires _an early strychnine poisoning. W ere this cover removed there would not lie anv trouble in keeping down tho pest. Ihe clear country is in very fair order Area 4, bounded by Beach Road, coastline, Koputara Road and Foxton-llimatangi Road: This consists mostly of “cover country and sandhills with only a sma 1 area o clear country which is i n good order a present Area 5, hounded by Koputara Road, Sanson highway, coastline and Campion’s Line: This, apart from Inc coastal portion, consists of dear courury which is in good order at present. Area 6, bounded by Campion’s Line, Rangitikei River to the Bulls bridge, recklington’s Line and Taylor’s Line; This if very easily kept free from rabbits and as usual, is in good order. The sixteenth annual meeting of the board was held at the conclusion of the above meeting. Tho chairman, m Ins annual report, stated that tho past summer had been Hie wettest experienced in the history of the board. Owing to the existence i>f rabbits in the “cover” country a phosphorised pollard poisoning was advised and this was carried out on at “cover” country and should bo successful in keeping down the natural increase until such time as it was opportune to carry out tho winter poisonings. Strychnine and carrot poisoning was carried out on all “cover” areas during the winter, and on the majority of properties a second poisoning was put in hand with very beneficial results. Fumigation has been general. In the administration of the Noxious Weeds Act, tho board had done its share in assisting the department to copo with the contorl of ragwort m the area Tho percentage of rates collected over those levied up to tho end of March was 95 per cent— a very satisfactory state of affairs. , Tho statement of accounts was also read and, together with the report was adopted. Trustee Gower was re-elected chairman. It was decided to strike a rate on the same lines as last year, viz., ljd per acre.