H.—33

1881. NEW ZEALAND

THE RABBIT NUISANCE (CORRESPONDENCE WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA RESPECTING METHODS OF ABATING).

Presented to loth Houses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency.

No. 1. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand, to the Hon. the Chief Secretary, South Australia. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, "Wellington, 9th August, 1880. I should feel much obliged if you would kindly cause me to be furnished with copies of any Acts or Parliamentary Papers, and with such other information as may be in your power bearing upon the action taken by your Government to abate the rabbit nuisance in South Australia. I have, &c, The Hon. the Chief Secretary, South Australia. Thomas Dick.

No. 2. The Hon. the Chief Secretary, South Australia, to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand. Sir,— Chief Secretary's Office, Adelaide, 23rd September, 1880. I have the honor to forward herewith documents containing information respecting the abatement of the rabbit nuisance in South Australia, as requested in your letter of the 9th ultimo. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, New Zealand. "William Morgan.

Enclosure 1 in No. 2. The Deputy-Surveyor-General, Adelaide, to the Secretary for Crown Lands. Sir, — Surveyor-Q-eneral's Office, Adelaide, South Australia, 7th September, 1880. I have the honor to supply the following statement for the information of the Government of New Zealand, as requested by a letter to the Hon. the Chief Secretary, dated 9th August. I have found, after many and careful experiments, that the most effectual mode of destroying the rabbits in their burrows is by means of bisulphide of carbon; and the proper form of apparatus for manufacturing such being now in use, and the right method of its application, no difficulty is experienced in keeping it in working order. The cost of making the bisulphide is about 9d. per pound, and there is now being made about 1,750 Ib. per week. Two methods of using the chemical are adopted by this department: if the bisulphide is pure, a can with measuring-tap may be used ; if in the crude state, the impurities corrode the tap, and a different mode of using is adopted, vide copy of Instructions herewith. In a series of experiments made it was found that the manner of using the bisulphide of carbon indicated in the Instructions was by far the most economical and effectual way of destroying the rabbits in their holes. Private persons have found out the value of the bisulphide, and are supplied by this department at Is. 3d. per lb. In addition to the use of the bisulphide, men are employed with dogs and guns to destroy the surface rabbits. There are at present employed in the destruction of rabbits 1 Inspector, 5 SubInspectors, 163 men, and 7 boys. It is hoped that the work will be completed by July, 1881. Up to the end of June last the operations of the Government parties have extended over 302,614 acres, over which area the pest has, practically speaking, been eradicated or reduced so as to be no longer complained of; this area extends over country about2oo miles long by about 20 miles wide, and