BADGERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1848, 25 November 1884, Page 2

BADGERS.

m • .- The Otaraia and. East Coast Rabbit Board having very properly objected, reports the Standard,- to the turning out in this district of a very useless animal-the badger—the following letter may prove interesting. On all sides the evidence that the. ferret is doing vast good in destroying the young rabbits is overwhelming. Let us confine the natural enemy to. the ferret tribe, and ' not essay badgers, foxes, mongoose, or the like. Herein the Otaraia Rabbit Board has taken a "sensible and moderate" position. We cannot be too careful against introducing wild animals of any kind into New Zealand, as we do • not know what harm they may do :

• Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, Nov. 12, 1834. : Sir.—l have tha honor to acknowledge the receipt of your,letter of the 6th ultimo, calling attention to the fact that a pair of badgers has been turned out iu the Wairarapa East County. In reply I am directed to inform you that it appears that a pair of badgers were taken to lea Station by the owner and confined there in a hutch. iJnfortunately ono escaped and has not yet been caught, but steps are being taken to recapture it, I have &c, G, S. Cooper. C. Philips Esq., Chairman Otaraia and East Coast Rabbit Committee Martinborongh, Wairarapa.