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they can to eradicate them. Since I have been there we have done everything that is possible to be done. The Inspector told me, "It is not what you are doing, but what should have been done before ; " they keep dogging and bothering us. 535. What are you doing?—We have laid close upon twelve tons of poisoned grain this year ; we have bought all the ferrets we could get, and all the appliances ; we have four rabbiters on just now, and before poisoning we had seven. We have obtained twenty-six miles of netting. 536. You have rabbiters you say? —Yes. 537. And dogs?— Yes. One man has seventy-five dogs; he had seventy-nine. He works these dogs in two packs, one in the forenoon the other in the afternoon. 538. Are you satisfied with their work? —They have killed a great number. 539. Have you ferrets ?—We bought all the Government ferrets. 540. Are you not afraid that the rabbiters and dogs will kill your ferrets ?—We are beginning to have some fear. We have determined to give the ferret a fair trial without putting on rabbiters. 541. Have the Inspectors asked you to put on rabbiters ? —Yes. I have complained that asa whole the Act is not worked fairly, one man is bothered while another is allowed to go on as he pleases ; there is an inquiry being prayed for. 542. Your complaint is that the Act is not put in force equally?— Yes. 543. Have the rabbits decreased since you treated the ground with poison and ferrets?— Yes. 544. You have seen good results ?—-Yes; I could take you over places where they were in thousands, and now you would not see six in a day. 545. What grain did you use ?—Oats and wheat in warm weather. Oats appear to retain the poison longest. 546. Do you use rhodium ?—Yes. 547. What do you use besides rhodium, and in what proportion do you mix the materials? — We use anniseed. The proportion is lib of phosphorus to 801b. of grain. I have known places which were completely overrun, and in two months were comparatively free from rabbits. 548. Will they take it as well in summer as in winter ? —No, unless you turn up the sod. I have ploughed up a furrow for the purpose. That has been successful. They like to follow a turned-up sod. 549. Do you find that sheep eat the poisoned grain ?—They will if you like to risk it. On one occasion I had not time to remove the sheep, and there were four who took it in one day. 550. How do you lay it ?—I lay it in small heaps of about fifty grains. 551. Do you think the Babbit Act has been put in force properly; that it meets all requirements?—lt would meet all requirements if put in force properly. 552. I understand that you do not wish us to deal with any appointments which have been made ?—Yes : I consider a change desirable. 553. Have you any reason to state as to why the Act should have been put in force against some, and not against others ? —The original proprietor and one of the rabbit agents fell out. We had reason to complain of his conduct. . 554. Why do you imagine that other people are treated more leniently ? —I cannot say. 555. Is it political interest ? —I would not like to say. 556. Do you suppose that the Act is being administered partially ? —Yes. 557. Captain Russell!) Do you propose that the Act should be made absolute, without allowing any discretion to the Inspector ?—As it is, the Inspector can read the Act as he likes: he is an irresponsible party. I would leave him as little power as possible. 558. Are there any small settlers in your district ?—Yes, there are a few. 559. Does the Inspector make them do their duty ? —There is no doubt about that. 560. Hon. Mr. Waterhouse!) Have the rabbits materially decreased ?—Yes; they are decreasing. 561. Have you seen any indications of the ferrets ?—Yes; unfortunately several were killed. 562. Have the rabbiters killed any ?—Yes. 563. Do you find that there are certain descriptions of soil which the rabbits like best ?—I know there are certain kinds of soil which they do not care about. They do not care about wet clay soils. 564. Do you breed ferrets ?—Yes; Ne bought the Government ferrets and plant. Mr. is now breeding for us. 565. Mr. J. C. Buckland!) You say that one rabbiter has seventy-five dogs: does he allow them to feed on dead rabbits ?—No; it would give the dogs the mange. 566. Captain Bussed.) You say that you have twenty-six miles of netting : is that for rabbits ? —Yes. 567. The run has been subdivided ? —Yes; and we have a ring fence round the run. 568. Do you not think that a waste of money?—ln scabby districts it has been done for safety. 569. Hon. the Chairman!) What is the cost of netting per mile?—l do not know without looking up my books. It cost about £8 per mile for erection. 570. At the meeting at Whareama it was stated that for rabbiting purposes this netting was strongly advocated. I wish to ascertain from yourself the reasons for this netting being advocated ? —I did not go to that meeting : I only attended two meetings relating to the scab infection. 571. Mr. Buchanan!) You complain of the present management or administration of the Act: Would you advocate local management, or would you prefer to be under the central department ?— With rabbits ? 572. Would you be under trustees, as formerly?— Yes. I do not know why an Inspector should lay an information against any man, or have powers, without first consulting somebody competent to judge of the facts as to whether there is really a case against such a person or not. 753. If you were a trustee, and found yourself compelled to lay an information against yourself upon the recommendation of the Inspector ? —I would certainly assist to carry out the law. 574. And lay an information against yourself ? —Yes; and lay an information against myself.