RABBIT BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3752, 12 March 1891, Page 2

RABBIT BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the North Wairarapa Babbit Board was held yesterday, therebeing present Messrs W. H. Beetham (chairman), Moore, Maunsell, Groves, Murray, and Inspector Drummond, The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Treasurer reported a credit at the Bank of £606 18s, with subsidy due of about £ 100.

Messrs M. Caselberg and Co wrote, offering to supply the Board with phosphorus. The Clerk stated that Mr Mason had offered to supply a quantity of phosphorus at cost price in Welling* ton. Accounts amounting to £728 18s were passed for payment. It was decided that the next ship-, ment of the natural enemy, which is expected in a few weeks, be distributed in the place of the shipment which had proved a failure. Inspector Mackay read a quantity of correspondence with reference to rates and the steps taken for the destruction of rabbits. The report of Inspector Mackay was read and adopted. The minutes of the meeting of the Otaraia and East Coast Rabbit Board" were read and the suggestions made discussed at considerable length. The contract system for killing rabbits, which is now practiced to a great extent throaghout the district, was condemned in strong terms by

he Board. Mr Maunsell said it would be desirable for the Inspector to particularise cases where stoats- or weasels have been seen actually killing rabbits, as settlers were com • plaining that the animals were migrating to other parts.

A number of instances were cited by members where stoats and weasels have of late been seen destroying rabbits. The question of fixing a date as the latest on which poisoning should be commenced was discussed by the Board, The Chairman considered it would be difficult to fix any particular date for poisoning every year owing to the difference in the seasons.

The following resolution was, after some discussion, carried, on the motion of the Chairman:—That in the opinion of this Board winter poisoning should commence not later than the Ist day of June, 1891; th.it it be an instruction to the Inspector to notify all land owners in the North Wairarapa district to this effect; and that should any owner neglect to comply with such notice an information be laid forthwith under section 9 of the Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1891.

Inspectors Drummond and Mackay were authorised to employ four assistant inspectors, ata remuneration of 12s per day, to see that simultaneous action is taken in poisoning. It was resolved that the next meet, ing of the board be held on the 18th of May; that the Chairman and any two members form a committee with power to pass accounts; thpfc the Inspector send in his monthly report' to the Chairman, and if there is anything urgent requiring attention a special meeting be called. The answer of the Minister for Lands to a deputation of farmers in the South, in which it was stated that the introduction of stoats and pole cats would be discouraged, * was brought before the Board. The Chairman stated that Ministers' promises were like piecrusts, made to be broken. Some discussion took place on the matter, but no action was taken.

Tbe diary of the Inspector was then ead, and the meeting adjourned.