143

L—6

Mr. Bayly's examination continued. Thuesday, 2nd Octobee. Mr. Bayly : I am instructed to make an explanation with reference to a remark that was made in Mr. Teschemaker's letter in respect to the importation of ferrets and weasels. He wrote at a time when he was not aware of the circumstances that had occurred. He refers to the fact that all the importations of ferrets, stoats, and weasels were not a success. The ferrets, indeed, were not a success, but weasels and stoats were. 575. Hon. the Chairman!) But private individuals, I believe, have imported them successfully. We have had evidence here that Mr. Bullen imported several. Then, I understand you that the importation of ferrets was not a success, but that you were more fortunate with the weasels. We would now ask you for information about the Babbit Department. Are you satisfied with the progress that has been made ?—I am, generally. 576. Speaking of Southland, are the rabbits on the increase or decrease?—On the whole, there has been a very large decrease. There are, however, places where the pest is bad, and will be bad; where the features of the country are such that they cannot be dealt with in the ordinary way. Taken as a whole, however, the reduction in the number of rabbits has been very large. 576 a. Do you think you will bo able to diminish the pest so as to. prevent any material destruction of food in future ?—My opinion of the matter is this : that with our present appliances we can keep them in check, and reduce them rather more than they are reduced now ; but, unless we arrive at some other means of dealing with them, they will be an annual tax upon the country. 577. What progress are you making now? —We are doing rather more than keeping them in check. 578. What are you using ?—We are principally poisoning in winter; that is our sheet-anchor on which the whole thing depends—simultaneous poisoning. 579. By owners? —Yes; when we can get them all together. 580. That is upon the occupied lands ; but in the south there is a great deal of land not occupied ; you reccomend simultaneous action to be taken by owners : what would you indicate as simultaneous action on the part of the Government?— There are so many places of that kind which you cannot get at; they are bounded by gullies or water-courses, so that you cannot get near them. These are the places where the pest breeds. They come again on to ground where you had got rid of them previously; you cannot get near enough to deal with the evil, as much of this country is impassable. 581. Are you now speaking of country that is far back from the occupied lands?— Some of this country abuts on the occupied country. 582. Why cannot you get men ?—The country is so impracticable. 583. Then the owners cannot do much?— They are taking constant precautions. 584. What do you use ? —Phosphorized grain. 584 a. What grain ? —Both wheat and oats. 585. Is there much difference in the result according as you use either of these?—As far as my own experience goes, the oats are best; but I generally find that people for a change use either: wheat is better to use where sheep are liable to get; they do not take wheat so eagerly as they do oats. 586. What other means do you use ? —Fumigators. 587. Is that where there are colonies of rabbits ? —Yes; and where you cannot exterminate them otherwise, along rivers, by railways, in towns. 588. Is that an expensive mode?— Yes, very. 588 a. More so than poisoning ? —Oh, yes ; but it is often questionable whether it is desirable to use it. 589. Hon. Captain Fraser!) What is it?—We use charcoal or sulphur. 590. Hon. the Chairman!) Charcoal only ?—Yes; the effect is produced simply from the fumes of the charcoal. 591. Do you use bellows to send the carbonic acid into the burrow?— Yes; but where the burrows are dense the best way is to stop the holes as the fumes are forced through the burrow; the danger, however, in doing this is that you will kill the ferrets as well. 592. Have you turned out Government ferrets"? —Yes. 592 a. What quantity ?—I could tell: it appears on the return. 593. Do they breed?—-Yes ; I am told that young ones have been seen; but the ferrets are so few comparatively. 594. What else do you use ?—We endeavour to prevent the use of dogs, if possible. I have given decided instructions that dogs shall not be used if it is possible to do without them. 595. There are a good number of rabbiters?—Yes. 595 a. In what position do they stand with regard to the Inspectors ?—I will explain the working of the department. The southern district is divided into so many subdistricts; each connty represents a district; each district is placed in charge of one Inspector; he is authorized by the Act, if it is necessary, to employ agents; they are responsible to him; the Inspectors are responsible to the department; they can dispense with the service of the agents they employ; they can do so at any moment. We do not recognize the agents as Government officers; they are not recognized by the department in any way; they are at the discretion of the Inspector, who shows them the work to be done, and explains the nature of the assistance he requires. 596. Then if any of these agents are persons who are unfit for the work which they are appointed to do, you consider that it is the Inspector of the district who is responsible for that?— Decidedly; he is distinctly responsible. Of course he must submit the name of the man to the department, so that if they knew any reason why he should not be employed he would not be employed. 597. Do you in all cases make inquiries?—l do. There may be one or two appointed whom I have personally known. 24—1. 5.