FERRETS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1736, 15 July 1884, Page 2

FERRETS.

. .TO THE BMTOR, Sir,—" We think ferrets are best rabbit remedy," is the reply to a telegram of mine to Mr Escourt Parsons, a farmer in the Kaikoura district, asking for the opinion of tjie small farmers there on the. ferret ques u tion. Some of your correspondents would surely bo wise to bear this in mind before proceeding further in condemning tho ferrets (whose advocates are only adopting the simple plan of " choosing the least of two evils.") My knowledge of the Kaikoura district extends as far back as six or seven years, The farmers, of whom a large number own from 50 to 100 acres, were greatly, opposed to Mr Bullen and othors introducing ferrets, Time has proved" to them tliat they were in the wrong. It will do the same with some of your correspondents Your correspondent, Mr A, Mo. Donald, has made soma sensible remarks on the rabbit question, Hs app jars, however, to overlook the impossibility of the rabbits on Messrs Bullcns' run lioing c!e ired or evea largely reduced by half a dozen or more raDbitars without extensive poisoning or some other remedy. Awin, Mr Staoe, after turning out 400 ferrets, " tallies" 311,(p skins, I presume by poisoning, trapping or other such mains. These statistics are not oonwlote without " the tallies" of tn< ferret ll killed, A Lower Valley settler within the last few mon hs, caught some 60 ferrets on his run, aud is very anxious to avoid these ''tallies" in future. Your correspondent's other injudicious statement that the welfare of the Wairarapa district is in the lauds of the rabbiters, affords one consolation. It is not true The welfare of the district lies in the hands of the settlers and i&hibitants generally, The geu.'ral opinion is that the bulk of the rabbiti on land similar to the Wairarapa country should be well poisoned before trusting to ferrtts. I also think a trustworthy man as rabhiter (uot one of the genus larrikin) is decidedly useful in looking after the ferrets and keeping the rabbits down. I feel in a position to write with some authority on this subject, sir, having kept the Huangaiua run practically cleared of rabbits for over two years, Trusting that you will be able to find space for this letter, 1 am, <&c., J. Martin, junr,

To the Editor Wauukapa Daily. Sir,—ln your report of the meeting held by Mr Beetham at the Theatre Royal, Masterton, on the 4th instant, Mr Sutton is reported to' have made certain statements which I cannot allow tq go anooatradioted. I um very sorry to see that by his allowing himself to be made a ' political tool,' he has placed himself in a false position, and will compell myself, amongst others, to' rake up' past unpleasantness which I truly hoped had been for ever buried, I sincerely sympathise with Mr Sutton on aocount of the difficulties he has had to struggle against since his retirement from office of Sheep Inspector. But ho is altogether wrong in trying to place the blame for his loss of office on the shoulders of Messis Beetlmm and Buchanan, In reverting to the past unpleasantness, I wish if possible, to avoid making any remarks that may hurt •Mr Sutton's : feelings, but I oan't remain silent when my personal friends aae unjustly blamed, one especially, who very recently travelled nearly a thousand miles to keep a promise made to me. Mr Sutton has hie indiscreet discharge of his official duties to blame for his being removed from the Wairarapa district. Among various cases giving causes for dissatisfaction with him in his oliicial capacity, there are three, any ono of which would at least entail removal from the district, if the most merciful views were taken of them, These among other cases were complained of to Messrs Buchanan and Beetham as the representatives of the district, and that doubtless caused them to request that the Superintending Inspector (Mr Bailey) should make inquiries into Mr Sutton's'administration of the Sheep Act, Judging from what I saw and heard myself, Mr Bailey is I believe inoro to blame than the Government for any unpleasantness that may have been caused to Mr Sutton. Mr Sutton is reported to have said, the only reason he could imagine for his removal was tlie faot that he had opened up the norihern districts. I must give that statement the most unqualified denial. The northern district was never closed. There was not a singlo instince of a floek uf theep being refused a permit until the day Mr Sutton took office: and again, that he had frequently. and uiiaueees-jfully applied for assist inoa in his work. In face of that assertion I must state that at the end of thren months from the time ol hm taking office, Mr Sutton informed me that he didnot require me any longer, as he found that with the assistance of Mr Drummond he he could do all tho work him-elf. Also, that since leaving the Department he had been hounded by tha Drummond clique, and pressure broouht to bear to oust him from his billet with tho Gear Company. Cud Mr Suiton not recollect any indiscreet aotion on his part that may have induced the Gear to dispense with his services, Hifl allusion to Mr Drummond might well

have been spared, considering what passed between them when he (Mr Sutton) first came to tho district. In conclusion I acknowledge that Mr Sutton has aright to ask particulars of the casss I allude to; if he does so, I will be glad to see that they are made more public than they have been, lain, &o„ THOS, W. Tslfobd. ' . Tinui, 10th July, 1884. .