RABBIT BOARD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3754, 14 March 1891, Page 2

RABBIT BOARD.

INSPECTOR'S REPORT,

The fallowing report of the Inspector vas presented at the meeting of the North Wairarapa Rabbit Board on Thursday : Sir,—Herewith I hand you my report tnd diary for the past month. On the properties visited by me during that period I do not consider that the pest has increased to any great extent, and in many instances owners are making strenuous efforts to reduce it. I regret to state that a great deal of trapping is being done, and I fear theie will be a difficulty to put a stop to me practice on rough country, so lorg as settlers will not co-operate in poisoning; take more effective measures to reduce the pest to the lowest possible minimum during the winter and early spring months, and breed and turn out ferrets in quantities at ihe commencement of the season when rabbits are beginning to breed. Many landowners do not appear to realise that it is more economical to Mil one rabbit in young, in say August, than ten or a dozen a few months later. In mentioning trapping it may interest settlers to know that almost every witness who was examined by the Royal Commission which met in Sydney to inquire into schemes for exterminating rabbits in Australia, and who had experience of the effect of trapping, spoke most unfavorably of the practice as being not only destructive to the natural enemy but also as spreading the rabbits ovei wide areas of country, and that coupled with the system of payment by per scalp or skin the rabbits bad steadily increased. It is also given in evidence that more bucks than does are caught in the traps. I am pleased to report that the following gentlemen have bred and turned out ferrets, viz: Messrs Cockburn-Hood 40, W. H. Levin 36, F. Moore CO, E. Meredith 8. Total 144. The animals were all in good liealthy condition, and reared in accordance with the conditions laid down by the Board. Several other settlers inform me that that they intend to start breeding establishments. I have been requested to bring under your notice the desirability of increasing the bonus offered for ferrets bred by ratepayers, it being the opinion of some settlers that it' is better to encourage ferret breeding than go to the expense of further shipments of stoats and weasels, especially as there is so much risk in the transit of these animals from England.

Several instances have occurred recently of stoats and weasels having been seen killing rabbits, while ferrets are reported to be increasing in some parts of the district. I must again urge the Board to consider and deal with the question of fixing the latest date upon which the general winter poisoning should commence, and also what amountof assistance will be allowed me in supervising the work.

In carrying out the work of poisoning I would suggest that oertain groups of settlers should co-operate and take simultaneous action on the boundaries of their properties, in every case where such boundaries are not wire netted, or where rivers are not of sufficient check to prevent the rabbits travelling to and fro. Sines last. meeting of the Board one prosecution has taken place and a conviction obtained. 1 have also issued notices under Seotion 8 of the " Rabbit Nuisanoa Aot, 1882," to j over thirty owners. I also propose, ! should the Board agrea to my suggestions re poisoning, to serve notices on every owner of land in the Board district in order that, should any owner fail to be in readiness and commence the work of poisoning on the date fixed, the law can immediately be set in motion.—l am, &c, Thomas Mackay, Master ton.

P.S.—Since writing the above report I have seen a copy of the proceedings of the Otaria flabbit Board, and I think the resolutions passed at that meeting are quite worth the attention of this Board. I hand newspaper report herewith,

PAHIATiIA. (From Our Own Correspondent). Mr Leslie is building a substantial residence upon the section ately purchased from Mr Gomm.

The want of a cheese and butter factory hore is becoming more apparent every day. Now that the winter is coming on the. difficulty will not be felt so much, but the promiscuous manufacture of butter by all and sundry settlers in the district simply gluts the market in the summer. The advantages to be derived through a well managed company are many, and it is ho'jed by many of the settlers that they will shortly enjoy tlif>m. The spectacle of a Maori willing —nay anxious—to register his dog is somewhat a novelty. That such a being exists 1 can, however, positively assure you for I met him yesterday. At last the happy and intelligent native is being brought to a becoming sense of his position as a citizen, and shortly wo may look for a diminution of the "kuri" nuisance at a Maori pah. The difficulty that the tax collector has hitherto been confronted with has been the discovery of the owner. The Salvation Army gave a concert here on Thursday evening. There was a large audience and from a pecuniary point of view it was a decided success. A lassies' band was in attendance and delighted the hearts of the amorous swains present with the dulcet strains of their instruments.

SECOND EDITION

A complimentary benpfit is to be extended by some friends to Mr Hausmann on Thursday next. The following tenders have been received by the Masterton Road Board, for Contract No 1, Fernridge road . Dawson and Creedy, £4B 4s 5d (provisionally aocepted); L. Allen, £4B 9s lOd, The annual Ram and Ewe Fair in connection with the North Otajjo Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held yesterday. There was a good attendance of buyers, and competition wps spirited. The bulk of the exhibits were Border Leicesters, the average price obtaining from four to six guineas, Lincolns were in poor demand. There was a large number of entries. The annual temperance picnic in connection with the Phoenix Lodge, 1.0. G.T., is to be he'd in Mr Jameß Wrigley's paddock on Tuesday next (St. Patrick's Day). A special telegram to a Wellington paper says : " Ex-King Milan charges M. ttaraschanine, a prominent politician, with complicity in the strangling of two women. The latter will probably be prosecuted." The idea of prosecuting a couple of strangled women ia ra.th.er good. v

The annual roeetlngof the Mastorton Football Club will be held in the Club Hotel on Saturday evening next. In the final draft of stations by tho Wesleyan Conference, the Rev. J. Dukes is appointed to Masterton, the Rev. W. Kowse to Greytown, and the Rev. .1. Dellow to Gisborne. Mr E. Collier fishmonger, hai found that owin? to increasing business it has become necessary to move into larger premises .and he has therefore taken the commodious shop recently occupied by Mr Redman where oysters, fresh and smoked fish, fresh daily can be obtained. Another trotting matoh has been arranged for Easter Monday between Mr Yates' Rocket aud Mr Nees' Clara, Rocket conceding 30 sees in two miles. As there is nothing else of importance on in Masterton on Easter Monday, these matches should attract a goodly number of sports. Messrs. A. de B. Brandon and John Young have been nominated for tho vacancy on the Board of Wellington College Governors caused by the death of Mr. Henry Bunny. At a meeting of the Executive yester. day, the death sentence on the Flanagans— mother and daughter for child murder, was commuted to imprisonment for life. We are informed on reliable authority that a number of youths of this town were chased yesterday by Chinamen with drawn knives. Such an occurrence is not at all to be wondered at, as tho Chinamen of this town are continually molested. As one of the Chinese residents is supposed to have taken part in the Hutt affray, precocious youths should take warning and annoy the Celestials no further. The police will probably inquire into tho cir-.j cumstancea of the case referred to. •

Special nctico is directed .to Messrs L. J. Hooper & Cos Olothine and Gentlemen's Mercory department. Men's and Boys' Colonial made Tweed Suits made up in the Latest styles and equal to Tailor made at Factory prices. Mens' Shirts, Hats, Ties, Braces, Socks, Pants offered in endless variety. Special Bargains while the sale is on. Special bargains are offered this week at Hooper & Uo's Bon Marohe sale. Dress Goods, Ladies and Childrens' Jackets, Millinery and Corsets, Umbrel • las and Parasols, Sheeting and Shirting, Blankets aud Flannels, Hosiery and Gloves, Ribbons and Laces, Prints and Ginghams, White and Grey Calicoes, Counterpanes and Toilet Covers, Oretone and Art Muslins, Plusches" and Velveteens, Towels, Prints, Muslins, Curtains and Blinds, Sileeias, and Hollands &c. &c. Call early and have first choice as every line must be sold to make room for goods to arrive at the Noted Cheap Drapery and Clothing Warehouse, Tho Bon Marohe, L. J. Hooper & Co., vendors. A large consignment of Linoleums and Floorcloths arrived in Masterton on Saturday, consigned to Messrs L. J. Hooper & Co. We are informed these goods will be offered to tho public at Wholesalo Prices at the Bon Marohe. Anyone wanting a bargain in these clases of goods should call early and get the first choice of patterns.