MASTERTON RABBIT DISTRICT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 676, 26 January 1881, Page 3

MASTERTON RABBIT DISTRICT.

A JIEETINO of the Trustees of the above district was held on Saturday last. Present-Messrs Stuokey (Chairman), Holmes, and Hood. • The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Applications were received from Messrs Vallance, Everett, Tuck, Rhodes Donald, Robert Allen, and A. Mutrie, sen., for certificates in respeot of dogs kept by them respectively for the purpose of destroying rabbits. The Trustees being of opinion, Ist, That with regard to dogs kept within the Borough of Masterton they had no to interfere in any way; and 2nd, witt regard to those outside the Municipfl boundaries, as the County Council lifl decided not to appoint Registrars of Dofl it was unnecessary to grant any cerlificafl for rabbit dogs. ,H The Secretary was directed to reply! the applications accordingly, H Regarding the application to Mr Tfl for payment of expenses incurred in ling rabbits on land belonging to liim,H Chairman explained that he had seen H Tuck on the subject, and the latter jH expressed his opinion the charge was excessive, On discußßion, it was resolved that'll Secretary inform Mr Tuck that the tees did not feel justified in furtherHf during the amount. |H The Secretary was instructed to n|BH to the Carterton Rabbit Trustees' for mU half the expenses of laying puisnnß| rabbits on the Waingawa River, to pay Mr Campbell the balance of s—due to him, ■■ The Inspector's report was then JB9 as follows: "~Q| Masterton, January 22nd, 1881. | To the Chairman Masterton Rabbit Trustees.

Sra,— I have the honor fo submit a report or my tour of inspection this month. I visited the whole of the properties on the Opaki, and fourd that all settlers were working hard to eradicate the rabbit pest • both Messrs Everet and D. McPhee are busy cutting scrub, as per request of the Truetees.

I visited the whole of the properties in the Forty mile Bush. Stars aw also bejng. taken. m that quarter to destroy rabbrt^ I beg to draw yourattenHpMoaquautity of Government land lying between tne' Kopuaranga river and Grey's hill, where tie rabbits -are very numerous. This land naturally contributes rabbi e to adjoining properties, where 6ettlers endeavor to keep them down. Have also been through the Eangitumau block. I found that upon all properties excepting that owned by Mr Hare % necessary steps are being taken to keen down rabbits.

I visited the district between the Kupuaranga and Buamahunga.- I found that the rabbits in this quarter are kopt well in check bv hunting with dogs, &c. The only two properties in this direction on which the 'raboita are numerous, are those of Mr Morrison and Mr Cripps, Served a notice upon Mr Morrison, who has promised to put a man on his property to kill rabbits. Mr Cnppi is making arrangements with Mr Bruce to have the rabbits killed on his land. I visited Wairiri, Moroa, and Alfredton, I found a few rabbits upon Mr C. Clap, ham's land, which is unoccupied, nor has any 6teps been taken to kill any. Did not see any rabbits, or any traces of any about Wairiri and Alfredfon, . Also visited Lower Taueru, including Hadfield's run, where I found the rabbits very numerous. Mr Eadfield has one man employed killing with dogs, and promised to put on another.

Next vißitod Livingstone's run, where I rindUisheremployedin killing, Hghas killed upwards of 4,500 in 7 weeks. Visited Campbell's, where they are kept in check, ■ ■

Upoa Mr MooroV proporty a man is employed hunting and killing, Upon Mr Bennett's property a man and a pack of dogs are kept hunting and killing, Also visited the properties of Cave, Peroy; T, L.Thompson, O'Malley, and W. lorns, all of whom are keeping the rabb.ts under, Have not yet had time to visit the Tewhiti property, but will attend to that district before the next meeting, I am, &c, Henri Bannister. The Inspector's report having been read,

It was resolved, on diacussiori—That it be an instruction to the Inspector to take proceedings forthwith against Messrs W. T, Olapham and 11, Hare, under the 18th section of the Act.

Mr R. Wilsone, having consented to act, was appointed Returning Officer for the district.

The Secretary was instructed to wrjte to the Government, askin? that an auditor be appointed, as provided by the Act, • The meeting then adjourned till Saturday, sth February next, at 11 a,m,