BAD FOR BUNNY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10001, 23 March 1910, Page 4

BAD FOR BUNNY.

The vast increase of the rabbit pest in the South this year is not regarded as altogether an unmixed evil. The trapping season is just now commenc ing, and as areas nearer the centres of populatioo than have been availj able for some years will pay handJ somely for clearing it is likely that : the army of trappers will be substantially augmented. The industry iis worked on somewhat peculiar j lines. The landholder takes no part !in the business, but merely allows competent men to camp upon and work over his ground, allotting them blocks for the purpose. In some cases where the rabbits are very thick and easily caught, the owner demands a royalty on the catches; but this is not very often done. Although it cannot be claimed that the results compensate for the depredations of the pest, still the trade is a very lucrative one. Several millions of frozen rabbits are exported every season, and as each carcase represents a net return of something over twopence to the trapper, it will be seen* that the rabbit is at least made to pay for some part of his keep. With the growth of the system of trapping for export, the business of exporting the skins alone has languished. No fewer than 17,000,000 skins, of a value of £138,952, were exported in 1893, as against 5,500,000, valued at £52,757, in 1907. Lately news has come to hand from Home that rabbit pelts, after being scientifically treated, are entering, with rubber, exclusively into the manufacture of motor tyres. This new departure has enormously increased the demand for rabbitskins —a demand, which, it may b«3 noted in passing, the southern portions of this island should be delighted to cater for, as the pest there has not been so widespread for years. t.lt is questioned, however, whether the skins of frozen rabbits will be suitable for the purpose referred to, in which case the old system cf thorough summer poisoning and winter trapping for skins only will require to be resorted to. In any case, in view of the shortage of fur at Home, and the good price ruling for the frozen carcases, Brer Rabbit will need to lie lower than ever before if he desires to perpetuate his species in anything like the abundance to be noted at present. _____ "