RABBIT BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3687, 14 August 1890, Page 2

RABBIT BOARD.

:. The ordinary meeting of the Waiwrapa North Babbit Board was held yesterday'.-'. Present—Messrß Wi H. Beethaui (Chairman), Maunsell, Groves, Murray and F, Moore, The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. - Communications were read from Meßsra Kebbell, Holmes Warren, Buchanan, and flitchings, asking for fullef.particulars regarding rates.

The Clerk was instructed to reply to Mr Eebtell's letter, and call his attention to section 34 of the Babbit Nuisance Act, 1682, It was decided that all correspondence having reference to differential rating be replied to, stating that the Board had considered the matter, and no alteration oould bB made in respect of same. '

The Clerk was instructed to inform Mr Buchanan in reply to hie letter

that the stockowners' list had been supplied by the Board on which to strike a rate, and that the Board could not make any alteration to the same, as the list had been lodged at the B.M. Court for a fortnight and Mr Buchanan had failed to make 'any objections. • ,

The Board went into Committeo on the Inspector's report, which was read as follows and adopted : Masterton, August 13th, 1890,

Sm.—ln compliance with your instructions I have made an inspection of the greater part of thej district under the Board's jurisdiction, the portions not visited being small areas in the Alfrcdton,'Tiraumea, and Pahoa districts. The continuous wet weather last month,' and the: l»vge extent of.ootmtry to travel over prevented my making so close in inspection as I should have wished. I beg to hand you my report and diary

showing the result of eachdayß work. Poisoning ha.3 been completed on nearly nil properties, The bad weather retarded operations and militated against the effect of the poison, large quantities of grain laid down rendered quite ÜBeless. Taking into

account these circumstances, the result of the work is fairly satisfactory and the pest generally is well kept il'iuVr, but at the same time I must state that on several properties rabbits still exist in far too great numbers, and should owners fail to follow poisoning by other measures of a thoroughly efficient nature, I cannot but think that the pest may again assume serious proportions during the summer and autumn season, especially ub labbitsaiu breeding both early and rapidly. On some warm dry country there has been little or no cessation of breeding during the winter. I regret to say that poisoning has not been carried out in anything like a simultaneous rasuner, and it is noticeable as a result that on many boundaries of properties which are not wire netted rabbits are moro or less numerous on both sides of the fences. Jt is also apparent that a great deal of grain is improperly mixed, and put down in a careless manner. In several instances nmiill holes wcie dug in which the grain was placed, to be spoilt by the first heavy shower of rain covering it with water, or particles of earth.' This, plan of poisoning may be admirable in tho summer months, but is of wry doubtful utility in wet weather. Poisoning has been started too late in a great many cases, and it will probably be found that May instead of June will be best as the time to commence simultaneous action. With respect to tho mode of laying poison, two systems, are in vogue, viz, placing in heaps on the grasa, and on a sod of earth turned by spado or plough, Both plans have their advocates, but from what I can see the best work as a tule has been effected by the latter plan, particularly where feed isplentiful and rabbits scarce. The work of keoping the pest under on Crown Lands is ■ being done, between Pakowaiand Glencqe (Three Kings Country) by a rabbiler beiug located on the Waiuakn Creek, whose .duty it it to hunt and superintend the poisoning. The rough block of land to the north of Kaiwhata Hivor has boon poisoned by the Stock Department, but I am not aware what stepß, if any, are being taken to follow up this work. Lands held by Natives and absentees are not dealt with in a satisfactory manner, the efforts to keep the pest down being spasmodic, and in nearly every instanco where I havo gono over such land the pest is numerous. The country upon which,l have noticed rabbits in the greatest quantity are those runs upon which in the past the pest has ken neglected and allowed to form burrows and warrens, those having sandy sea frontages, rivers or streams with dry sandy banks and under ground water courses. Gorse, which is increasing 1 on some runs, is also a I great harbor and breeding ground, Tho use of ferrets and nets on land that haa been burrowed is found very effective, and much quicker than digging out. Trapping is generally being given up as destructive to the natural enemy, but on some ground such as that covored with scrub, burnt logs, rocks, and underground water courses, owners find there is a difficulty in dispensing with them, Thero is an increase •iu the quantity of wire netting fencing in th«. district, and it is found, to bo a valuablo adjunct in dealing with the pest, and obviates neighbours blaming eich other for the increase of rabbits. I regret to state that there are instances of what appears to be wilful damage to netting with the object of letting rabbitß trom infested to comparatively clear ground, Ferrets, floats, and weasels are said to be increasing and aiding in the work of destruction, Cats are aluo numerous in some localities but numbers ere killed by poison, It is very difficult to obtain accurate information as to the effect of tho natural enemy, Contract rabhiters aro naturally reticent in a subject that may interfore with their means of livelihood, while owners as a rule know little from actual experience, Still I think there is evidence enough to show that rabbits are being destroyed by them. That ferrets have increased and thrive is beyond doubt

as shown by tho number of healthy -specimens caught by trappers, There is an impression, and probably n comet

ouo that stoats and weasels are migrating towards the forest country, and if so the result may still be for good, as the land on the verge of the bush is a fruitful source of annoyance to

owners as a harbor for rabbits, With regard to the distribution of the next shipment of the natural enemy, I would suggest that a number bo turned out on the sandy, coast line where rabbits have burrowed badly,

and another-lot about the rocky country known as the Taipo-forma-tion and which runs iff itlmoßt ■ a direct line through the centra of th'o district,; Small lots might bo turned adrift op push places as the block of semi cleared busk on the ridges between trjo.Mw?»|akoli» am) Ifaaora

there' is not.BUicieut power under . the existing-Babbit. Act to enforce j it such power Bhould be given by ; further legislation. : t 2, That to\ avoid badly mixed poison being used.'depftts for mixing j he established in suitable centres, \ under proper supervision, and grain j supplied to lnnd owners at cost price, j 3,; That during tho general | poisoning season competent over- j seers be employed to supervise and such like'localities which are, noted breeding grounds and on which , it is difficult to deal with the pest, j I would respeotfully beg to offer for your consideration the following , suggestions as a means of dealing more , effectively with the Babbit Nuisance: j —That simultaneous action "' in | poisoning should be insisted.on and ] the laying of poisoned grain, on blocks of land consisting .of several pro- | perries according to size and situation. | i. That groups of small owners t whoso properties adjoin be induced to , employ a gang of men for poisoning , jointly between.them. ! 5, TUat trapping,being destructive ( to the natural enemy it be discour- , aged as far as circumstances will \ permit. ' | J, That large packs of dogs be j done away with as they spread the rabbits over large surfaces of. ground, , while quite as effective work is done . by small, well-conditioned packs] • 7. That the spread of tjorse be prevented as far as possible, . ! 8.. That the Board give a Bubsidy ! out of rates to owners who breed;'. andturn out ferrets, Such feirets to be earmarked by an inspector before ' being turned at larger . ' 9. That the Government be requested to offer facilities to settlers to enable them to procure wiro r netting at a cheap rate, and that | owners or groups of them'be allowed to pay off the cost in a similar manner as mon&y borrowed under the , Loans to Local Bodies Act for road I purposes is repaid. , With regard to tho proposal to have \ extra supervision during tho poison--

log, l nave long leu mat cms la raoac essential, Simultaneous action,and ike proper mixing and laying of poison would result from it, while the expeiiss would not be great compared with benefits.that would accrue. It is

ueyoud douot iliac poison is ids mosi effective known means of keeping the rabbit nuisance within bounds. Such being the caße it follows that the work should be done in the host and most systematic manner possible, for upon this mom than anvthins else denends

the chance of tho natural enemy getting | ahead |of the pest he conservation of feed for stock, the avoiding of the use of traps, and a great deal of labor hitherto entailed to check the breeding of rabbits; Encouragement to owners to breed and turn out ferrets having them, in readiness about the Ist .September to placo on pieces of country where rabbits have congregated, and

burrows are numerous, would result in great good. In conclusion I think good would result if the Board call a meeting of settle is in the rabbit distriot At an early d.nte to discuss the above proposal, and other mutters in connection with the rabbit nuisance,—l have, &c, Thos. Mackay, Inspector.' The Inspector was instructed to issue notices to such persons as he thinks proper, and lay informations where he considers necessary, It was resolved that a subsidy of JOs per pair be paid to any ratepayer in the district" who-may turn out ferretß under the supervision of the Inspeotor between the Ist October and 31et January, the ferrets to be fed on rabbits and water. Accounts amounting to £515 8s 3d were passed for payment, The meet' ing then adjourned,