H.—l3

2

From Sub-Inspector G. S. Cooke, Whangarei. (1.) to (16.) Nil. General Remarks. —Having travelled, since my arrival in this district, from North Cape down to Waiwera, and on both coasts, I have only seen threes rabbits. From all accounts there is only an " odd one" to be seen. Such places as rabbits would be likely to infest are populated, so they have no chance to increase.

From Sub-Inspector H. Oldham, Hamilton. (1.) Trapping, shooting, and digging out burrows. (2.) No. (3.) Crown lands have been well attended to, and settlers have reduced the rabbits very much on their properties. (4.), (5.) Nil. (6.) Eleven, including Native reserves, varying from 15 to 800 acres. None available for grazing. Alexandra town lots not included. (7.), (8.) Nil. (9.) 31b. 20z., also 1 case. (10.) Seven. (11.) Five. (12.) Two. (13.) Messrs. Jackson and Russell, W. Aiken, and A. C. Carter. (14.) Qne. (15.), (16.) Nil. General Remarks. —The destruction of rabbits has been carried on vigorously during the last twelve months, and is still being continued, by which rabbits are not nearly so numerous, lie the King country, lam afraid that, owing to the reduction made in the price of rabbit-skins, the Natives will farm rabbits by allowing them to attain their full growth before killing them, so that they may obtain the extra penny. When paying the Natives at Kihikihi on the 17th ult. I had some difficulty to get them to agree to the price, 2d. for small skins, and they, with one exception, said they would take their skins home again, until persuaded to accept the price.

Napier District. Sib, — Sheep Inspector's Office, Napier, 3rd May, 1889. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual rabbit report of the Napier District for the year ended the 31st March, 1889, together with my replies to the queries referred to in circular. The Hawke's Bay Eabbit Board have, since the formation of the district, carried on the erection of the rabbit-proof fence near the southern boundary. It will be continued to a point near the junction of the Tiraumea and Manawatu Rivers. This fence has undoubtedly proved a great protection to the district, although, of course, rabbits are found on the north side. Babbits are increasing on the south side, where the Board intend to lay poison during the winter. The Board will also turn out ferrets that they have received from the Waimata depot. The Board have two Inspectors, one at the southern end of the district and one at the northern end. There are rabbits over a large portion of the district, though not in any great numbers, but still they require constant attention. As a rule, owners are fully alive to the necessity of getting rid of them. I have, &c, E. 0. Pasley, Inspector. The Hon. the Minister of Lands (Stock Branch), Wellington.

(1.) Hunting with dogs, shooting, poison, and ferrets. (2.) None. (3.) Mr. Crosse, Inspector for the Eabbit Board on the southern boundary, reports that rabbits have been well kept down. Mr. Sheath, another Inspector of the Board, reports that there is a decided decrease in the number of rabbits. Inspector Thomson, of Gisborne, reports a few rabbits at Opotiki. (4.) One—for killing rabbits at Opotiki. (5.) £30. (6.), (7.), (8.), (9.) Nil. (10.) Two—by Mr. Sheath, Inspector of the Board. _ (11.) One. (12.) One. (13.), (14.), (15.) Nil. (16.) The Eabbit Board have lately turned out thirty.

Wellington-West Coast District. Sib, — Sheep Inspector's Office, Wellington, 13th May, 1889. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual rabbit report of the Wellington West Coast District for the year ended the 31st March, 1889, together with replies from myself and Sub-Inspectors to the queries referred to in circular. In South Wairarapa the introduction of the natural enemy of the rabbit has been most encouraging. It is to be regretted that this introduction has not been adopted in Wairarapa North, where the rabbits are very numerous. This increase is no doubt partly due to the exceptionally dry season, but it would also appear that the poisoning last winter was imperfectly carried out. For this season all owners are being advised that early and complete preparations for poisoning are required, and that a permanent and satisfactory reduction of the rabbit nuisance will be insisted on. It is submitted that with our present means —viz., poisoning, rabbit-proof fencing, and the introduction of the natural enemy—the rabbit nuisance need not continue to be a serious tax on the landowner. I beg to recommend that rabbit-proof fencing should be placed on the schedule of legal fences, and that every encouragement should be given by the Government for the introduction of the natural enemy. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Lands (Stock Branch), Wellington. E. Clifton, Inspector.

(1.) Poisoning, shooting? dogging, trapping, using ferrets, clearing scrub, and erection of rabbit-proof fencing. (2.) Every means should be taken to encourage the introduction of the natural enemy, particularly the stoat. (3.) In South Wairarapa the result of introducing and liberating the natural enemy has been most encouraging, but the rabbits are very numerous over a great part of North Wairarapa. (4.) Eighteen. (5.) £240 ss. (6.) Crown Lands, eighty thousand