H.—lB.

APPENDIX. A copy of the following circular No. 10 has been forwarded to each of the following Babbit Inspectors : Lewis, Auckland ; Pasley, Napier; Sutton, Masterton ; Orbell, Nelson ; Blundell, Blenheim; Passau,Kaikoura; Macdonald, Timaru ; Fullarton, Oamaru; Johnson, Dunedin; Miles, Naseby; Bees, Clyde; Bourchier, Queenstown; Douglass, Invercargill; Macdonald, Gore; and Hickson, Tapanui. In answer to which the following replies have been received : — (Circular No. 10.) Sie,— Colonial Secretary's Office (Stock Branch), Wellington, 28th April, 1883. I have to request that you will be good enough to furnish answers to the following questions without delay. The last financial year is the period to which these questions relate, i.e., Ist April, 1882, to 31st March, 1883. I have, &c, Benj. P. Bayly, Babbit Inspector, . Superintending Inspector. (1.) What means have been adopted for destroying rabbits ? (2.) Have you any further recommendations to make ? (3.) What progress has there been made? (4.) How many tenders have been accepted ? (5.) What did the whole of them amount to ? (6.) State approximately the total area tendered for? (7.) State the area required to be dealt with by Government this year? (8.) What quantity of phosphorus has there been purchased for use in your district ? (9.) What was its cost ? (10.) What quantity was used for Government purposes ? (11.) What quantity was sold to private individuals? (12.) What was the quantity on hand on the 31st March last ? (13.) Number of skins exported? (14.) Number of prosecutions? (15.) Number of convictions ? (16.) Number of dismissals? (17.) State the names of owners of properties dealt with under section 11 ? General Remarks : From Babbit Inspector Lewis, Auckland. (1.) Guns and dogs. (2.) Materials and utensils should be supplied by the Government, and instructions given to Inspectors to poison, in the winter season, all rabbits found upon Government lands; provided always that Natives and other owners of swine upon those lands should have the option of either destroying the rabbits, or protecting their swine from the evil effects of poison laid by the Inspectors. (3.) A few hundreds have been destroyed at Baglan, Whangaroa, Mongonui, and Alexandra. (4.), (5.), (6.) None. (7.) Say 1,000 acres, comprising bays along the sea-coast, and other small patches of land where rabbits may hereafter be found. (8.), (9.), (10.), (11.), (12.), (13.), (14.), (15.), (16.), (17.) None. General Remarks. —The surface soil of large areas of the Auckland District being of a tenacious character is not suitable for rabbit-burrowing, and the settlers generally do not appear to appreciate Government action for the destruction of rabbits upon private properties, the animals not being sufficiently numerous to be considered a nuisance.

From Babbit Inspector Pasley, Napier. (1.) Hunting with dogs and shooting. (2.) None. (3.) Owners in this district are nearly aU fully alive to the danger of allowing rabbits to increase, and have been steadily taking steps to eradicate the pest. (4.), (5.), (6.), (7.), (8.), (9.), (10.), (11.), (12.), (13.) None. (14.) Three. (15.) Two. (16.) _ One. (17.) None. General Remarks. —The rabbits in this district are confined to the Waipawa and Hawke's Bay Counties, and, though there are rabbits on a good many properties, there are very few on each property, and very often rabbits are seen only at intervals.

Prom Babbit Inspector Sutton, Masterton. (1.) Hunting with dogs, shooting, trapping ; poisoning with phosphorus, arsenic, and bisulphide of carbon. (2.) I would suggest that where rabbits are known to exist on Crown lands the Government should turn out ferrets. (3.) Last winter good work was done by poisoning, and in parts of the district where the settlers worked simultaneously it was very effective, and the rabbits have been kept in check since. (4.) Eighteen. (5.) £494 lis. (6.) 33,320 acres. (7.), (8.), (9.) None. (10.) 101 lb. (11.) 67 lb. (12.) 32 lb. (13.) Unkown. (14.) Thirty-five. (15.) Twenty-three. (16.) Five and seven withdrawn. (17.) John Morrison, Bangituma Block. General Remarks.—Contracting with settlers at so much per annum for the destruction of rabbits on Crown lands adjoining their properties is not a success, Crown lands in the Wairarapa District being mostly bush. The rabbits in any numbers are only to be found on the borders of the bush, where they take shelter from the doghunters. Therefore, I think, if the price paid for these contracts was expended in ferrets, the result would be more effectual. I find that contracts for poisoning only answer best, as the work can be supervised and money not expended unnecessarily.

Fifom Babbit Inspector Oebell, Nelson. (1.) Poison, trapping, shooting, and fencing. (2.) None. (3.) Fair. (4.), (5.), (6.), (7.), (8.), (9.), (10.), (11.), (12.), (13.), (14.), (15.), (16.), (17.) None. General Remarks.-— The rabbits in the Nelson District are more numerous in the Wairoa Gorge and Wakefield than in the outlying districts. Notices to destroy rabbits have been served upon owners of land, and rabbits destroyed. On inquiry at the customhouse I am informed no skins have been exported from the Town of Nelson, but some have been shipped coastwise to Wellington.

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