THE MAKURI WILDS

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5135, 20 September 1895, Page 3

THE MAKURI WILDS

RABBITS OX CROWN LANDS. )y From Our Own Correspondent. The report of the officers of the Stock Department to the effect that, with tho exception of one property, tho country is quite clear of rabbits, is causing a good deal of uneasiness. Nearly everyone thinks his own property tho one referred to, and is sure rabbits are more numerous on his neighbour's property than on his »own. Settlers did good work by trapping and poisoning during the winter, and there is a decrease of these pests on the reserves around tho township; not so on Crown Lands, where the steps taken are anything but satisfactory. Early in the winter a well-known and highly respected Alfralton settler undertook a fencing contract for a resident whose property joins Crown Lauds. The contractor with live or six men pitched the camp close to § Crown Lands. About a week r the work was started, report came to the township that rabbils wore in greater numbers on Crown ) Lands than on any of the Makuri sections. This report was in due courso forwarded to the proper authorities, but for three months no notice was taken except to doubt the contractor's word. On Friday, Gth ■\ September, which was a pouring wet day, the rain driving in sheets so that it wnsimpossible to see a chain ahead, two half-drowned, wholly drenched officers of the Stock Department camo up to investigate the matter; the track was long,steep and muddy, | and takes an experienced bushman two hours to climb. They started at half past ten a.m. spent one hour and a half at the fencers' camp, and had returned at four o'clock. No one doubts their word when they say they saw no rabbits on Crown Lands. The fencers are still on the spot and are not afraid of their opinion. A most nnnsnal spell of dry weather has been experienced, (here t been e ' evcn consecutive hue ' dip. A settler who is keen on burning the bush and scrub on his section started a fire a day or two ago, and although the sky was not darkened for miles, he expressed himself well pleased with the result. On Monday, Messrs Couborne and Narby held a saccessfnl dance in Mr Dunning's wool-shed. Invitar tions were sent out to settlers at Pongaroa, Ngaturi, Kohinoor and Makuri. Everyone responded gratefully, and nearly lifty people put in i an appearance, taxing tho portion of | the shed set apart for dancing, to 1 the utmost. Dancing was kept up 1 until daybreak, then the lights were ( blown out and the last waltz danced, ( just as the sun rose over the hills, i heralding forth another warn, j balmy, spring day. Settlers are not well pleased at lAfcg to pay a dog-tax of half-a-ct#n each dog, yearly. This is a considerable item where packs of from ten to twelve dogs are kept for i rabbit purposes; fortunately the dog is exempt for the first six months of < its life. The tax gatherer appeared ' on Wednesday last and collected the fees, which were paid unwillingly.