RABBIT PEST

Southland Times, Issue 18831, 26 May 1920, Page 2

RABBIT PEST

A FARMER FINED. At the Wyudham .magistrate's Court on Monday, before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., R. Sutherland, of Brydone, was charged with failing to destroy rabbits on his property. Mr C. E. Davcy appeared for defendant, who pleaded guilty under special circumstances. R. D. Munro, Inspector of Stock, gave evidence that he inspected the property on October 21, and saw a good many rabbits. On October 25 he served notice. On December 15 he again inspected the place, and found rabbits still numerous, and saw indications of trapping round the crop. He spoke to defendant, and warned him to have more work done, which was promised. On March 8, in company with Stock Inspector Graham, he inspected the property, finding rabbits very numerous. There had been recent trapping, but very little work had been done. He saw defendant, who was trapping adjoining property, which ’was by no means so badly infested as his own. Inspector Graham gave corroborative evidence as to pabbits being numerous. By Mr Davey; There was no sign of poisoning (in October and December) at-the time of his visit on March 8.

Mr Davey said that defendant was a hardworking farmer, who had done his best to destroy the rabbits. He had been recommended to lay.GOlb of poison, and had used sClb as it was. Defendant had taken steps (hat he considered reasonable. In fact, if the law had been a? it formerly teas, what had been done would have been a sufficient defence.

Defendant in hi? evidence produced account .sales showing that he had sold skins to Kirk and Co., 800 lo 1000; W. Shields, 1424; Dalgety, 240 —ail taken off his own ground. He was working on another man’s place on the day the inspector called, but went hack to his own place next day, being only one day absent therefrom. Inspector Munro told him he would have to do something, and suggested the laying of 601b of poison. He actually laid uClb, and reckoned he had done all he reasonably could to abate the nuisance. In cross-examination witness admitted that he had laid three tins of poison in October and the rest in December, most of it having been laid before the inspector spoke to him. He had asked for the rabbiting of other places, but not after March 8. To the Court; There were 40 sheep on the place and a cow or two. He got 2d per rabbitskin for some and Is for others. Defendant was fined £3, with costs 13s.