RABBIT NUISANCE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 164, 11 April 1916, Page 3

RABBIT NUISANCE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY.

A conference convened by the Bama Eama branch of the Farmers' Uuion was held in the Drury Hall, on Thursday evening, March 30th, to condider the adoption of more effective means in coping with the rabbit pest in Franklin County. Delegates from the local committees in the following districts were present, viz: Pokeno Valley, Bama Bama, Ararimu, Karaka and Prury. Mr Bowan, Government Fields Inspector also attended. Mr Flanagan, Chairman of the Franklin County Council was elected chairman, and in introducing the business of the meeting referred to the alarming increase of rabbits in the county and the urgent necessity for devising some means of checking them. He favoured the establishment of a Babbit Board which would have power to levy rates over a given area, and to appoint Inspectors to enforce all measures taken for the suppression of the pest. Mr Batty, Karaka, also thought a Babbit Board the surest way of dealing with the nuisance, as Inspectors appointed by the Board would have power to prosecute and compel negligent property owners to clear their land of rabbits. At present, he said, the Government Inspector was hampered by the restrictions which required him to get the consent of the Minister before prosecuting. Most of the other delegates considered that if the Agricultural Department removed the absurd restrictions and allowed the Fields Inspector a free hand it would still be possible to avoid the expenses of a Babbit Board.

Inspector Bowan expressed the opiuion that given a free hand to deal with persistent defaulters and absentee owners he could exterminate the rabbits.

Eventually it was decided on the motion of Mr Hille, Pokeno, seconded by Mr Markham, Ararimu, " That the Minister for Agriculture be approached with the request to have restrictions removed and allow full power to the Fields Inspector to deal with all owners in Franklin County who neglect to clear their land of rabbits." This was supported unanimously by the meeting, but a very general opinion was expressed that shoald the appeal to the Minister fail the only thing left would be to take steps towards establishing a Babbit Board in the County. It was left for the chairman to send the request to the Minister through the County Council, the secretaries of the various district committees also tu write supporting the same.