RABBIT ISLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 7 May 1925, Page 4

RABBIT ISLAND

REPORT ON TREE PLANTATIONS

An inspection of the Rabbit Island plantations was made recently n, the City Engineer and the chairman ot Hie VViiimea. -County Council. Reporting to-day Che Engineer stated that the plantation adjacent to the old cottage i s showing very good growth the trees ore now from 4ft. to 10ft. high and look vii-v healthy. The first trees planted at Urn west- end of the Island also appear to he doing well : also the younger trees purchased from Mr Kingslaud snow good growth, whore the rabbits have lint interfered with them. Ibe g 11 '! 1 trees, in places, are doing fairly well, but apparently this species is not suitable for the Island, as it was noticed in manv plants the centre stem was dead, apparently having been a fleeted bv frost. There is an item on the proposed estimates for further planting._ and also for the killing of rabbits. The- latter should he carried nut before further planting is done. If further planting G to be gone on with, it- was recommended that it be carried out under the supervison of an officer of the l'oi'cstiv Department. The Engineer further stated that, gum trees on Best s Island were showing good growth; but they bad been planted rather close together. _ lie recommended that, additional varieties of gum trees be tried on the island. The Chairman said the gum trees on Best’s Island were planted about 31 years ago, and some of them were now--80 feet in height. They were originally brought from 88 Valley. So far as lie knew the timber was very suitable for bridge work. The rabbits were at present the trouble. Cosideration was deferred until the Estimates.