4

H.—l3

In Amuri, north of the Waiau, the silver-grey rabbits have spread considerably, and had it not been for the natural enemies liberated by the Amuri Babbit Board, and the other means taken, this fine district would have been overrun to a serious extent. At Kaikoura there is a marked decrease in the number of rabbits. During the year about six hundred stoats and weasels, eight hundred ferrets, and four hundred cats have been liberated. About thirty thousand acres of waste lands of the Crown and five thousand acres of reserves have been dealt with by the department. Babbit-fences. South Canterbury .—The completed portion of this fence—about forty-six miles—has proved an effectual check to the advance of the rabbits, and it is now placed beyond all doubt that this fence, the whole of which will be completed in June, will save Canterbury from the Otago rabbits, if jt is carefully supervised. Hurunui Babbit Board's Fence. —This fence is now very near completion, and, it is believed, will also prove an effectual check to the rabbits from the north. Unfortunately, however, during the construction of the fence some rabbits have come through. Steps are now being taken to destroy them, and the fence is under effectual supervision The weak point with both fences is the danger of rabbits getting round the ends, where they terminate in the main range. This difficulty has been to a large extent surmounted in the south by the erection of a wing-fence at Birch Hill. It is believed that these points can be secured by wing-fences and careful supervision. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Lands (Stock Branch), Wellington. E. Fosteb, Inspector. .

(1.) Canterbury is protected from incursions of rabbits in the north by the Hurunui Babbit Board's fence, and in the south by the Government fence. Between these fences only the semi-tame rabbit exists, and in very small numbers. (2.) Strict supervision over both rabbit-fences is all that is required for Canterbury proper. Sub-Inspectors Moore and Thomson will report as to the districts north and south of the rabbit-fences. (3.) Babbits are fewer than last year between the fences. Outside the fences they are more scattered. (4.), (5.) Nil. (6.) No reserves. Hopkins and Dobson Eiver flats and vicinity of Mount Cook, area unknown, may be thirtv thousand acres. At Kaikoura some small reserves. (7.), (8.), (9.), (10.), (11.), (12.), (13.) Nil. (14.) Two. (15.) 191 turned out during the past month to the south of the rabbit-fence. I do not know the results yet. (16.) Nil.

From Sub-Inspector J. Moobe, Kaikoura. (1.) Shootipg, poison, ferrets, and trapping. (2.) That trapping be made illegal wherever the natural enemy has been turned out; that Waimanarara and Hapuku Eeserves be let or sold. (3.) Good work has been done. "With the exception of two properties, the rabbits are fewer in the district than they have been since the pest became established. (4.), (5.) Nil. (6.) About four to five thousand acres, principally rough fern and tutu country or sandy foreshore. About six hundred acres fit for grazing, but poor. (7.) 401b. (8.) 341b." (9.) 71b. (10.) Two. (11.), (12.), (13.) Nil. (14.) Four. (15.) 125. Excellent results wherever they are not in the neighbourhood of farms. (16.) About 500. In all cases where distemper has not appeared results excellent, and on some properties apparently swept by distemper ferrets are now reappearing. General Bemarks. —The natural enemy the only sure means of permanently dealing with pest. This has been put to practical proof by the state of Bullen's country, which is now practically free from rabbits, save on the boundaries, where they cross from adjacent runs. Much harm has been done by injudicious poisoning, and more by trapping, which is one of the great obstacles to the welfare of the ferret, cat, or other enemies of the rabbit. Poison, where it does not affect the natural enemy, is, in my opinion, the real remedy.

From Sub-Inspector H. S. Thomson, Pukaki Ferry. (1.) The use of phosphorized grain in winter; packs of dogs, digging out, and shooting during summer. 789 stoats and weasels were liberated around Lake Ohau, and in the fork between Lake Ohau, Pukaki Lake, and Tasman Eiver. (2.) That ferrets in considerable numbers be liberated on the country situated between the Waitaki Eiver and the line of rabbit-fencing running from the Tekapo to the Waitaki. (3.) A diminution on the lands where rabbits were most numerous, but rabbits gradually spreading over a larger area between Ohau and Pukaki. (4.), (5.) Nil. (6.) Fifty thousand acres, of which twenty thousand may be available for pastoral purposes. (7.) 951b. (8.) Nil. (9.) 1751b. (10.), (11.), (12.), (13.), (14.) Nil. (15.) 183, between Pukaki and Ohau. (16.) Nil.

Otago Distbict. Sib, — Sheep Inspector's Office, Dunedin, Ist May, 1889. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual rabbit report of the Otago District for the year ended the 31st March, 1889, together with replies from myself and Sub-Inspectors to the queries referred to in circular; Having only taken charge of the Otago District last October, I am not in the position to write definitely from my own observation on the decrease of the rabbit, but, judging from both the SubInspectors' reports, and also from general information, the pest each year is getting reduced, and is only really bad in limited areas.