THE PETARURU PRESS. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1929. RABBITS AND RAGWORT.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 304, 5 September 1929, Page 4

THE PETARURU PRESS.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1929. RABBITS AND RAGWORT.

Phone 28 - - - P.O. Box 44 Office - - - - Oxford Place

TWO matters of the utmost importance not only to the farmers but to the town of Putaruru were before the last meeting of the Putaruru branch of the Farmers’ Union. We refer to the alleged neglect of several settlers in failing to keep their farms free (or as free as is humanly possible) from rabbits and noxious weeds, especially ragwort. The general opinion that a rabbit board was necessary brought from the president the statement that the wholehearted endeavour made by the Putaruru branch some time ago to have such a board formed was turned down because a few settlers thought it would mean an increase in rates. This is a penny wise and pound foolish attitude to adopt, for every

farmer must know that anything (preventable) tkat prevents the maximum return from the land not only affects his own economic position but that of the country as a, whole. The Tokoroa Rabbit Board has been successful in .its operations, and if there is need for such a body m Putaruru the farmers are foolish m not having such a board. The spread of ragwort is also apparently alarming, and again the settler who refuses to try and combat this menace is doing untold harm to his own pocket and the district. M r . A. T. Morris is to be commended for his advocacy of the appointment of an extra inspector, and it is to be hoped that the Matamata County Council will support Mr. Morris and the Farmers’ Union in their

request. We commend the question of the formation of a rabbit board to the farmers for their earnest reconsideration, for apparently the need exists.