STOATS AND WEASELS.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume L, Issue 7965, 20 April 1922, Page 2

STOATS AND WEASELS.

(To tho Editor). Siiy It is to bo sincerely regretted that alter a number of years wo arc faced with, one of the greatest evils that can befall this district. Stoats and weasels appear to be considerably on the increase, and if allowed to go unchecked will certainly be a serious menace to tlio poultry industry, for which this locality is so admirably adapted. We have known that tor years an odd one has been seen now and then, and it is a, question, now as to whether we are laced with only the- natural increase of the local article, ox whether wc have to contend with the fact that they are coming to us from some other province. This fs the Arst aeasou 1 have been troubled with them in tho pheasant aviaries, and complaints arc coming in for® all sides. These vermin are fairly easily trapped with an ordinary spring rat trap set lightly. Where there is a bank they invariably run along the top, where the trap can r eadily be set, but perhaps the best way hero would be to.get two dram pijjes, put them down near their haunts and set a trap through as they have a natural■*>»’ ing for running through pip® B 9 1 . drains. Another way' is to tiedip the inside of a fowl or rabbit about two feet up on a post, make aM ® race of green twigs leading to it and set a trap at the bottom, but this is just as likely to catch a cat or * dog as a stoat. A good cat often kill them, but it is not every cat that cares for the job. Any how if we want to protect our p° u try industry now is the time before they get a bigger start. I s u° u propose that the poultry farmer» combine for the purpose of raim n g a fund for their destruction, vvhicn 1 feel sure would bo substantia ) augmented by the local Acchma ti-ation Society, and so , » iucb * head offered for them, but whatever is done should be started as ear * as posible. In order to denioiistra 0 the amount of damage they can I may state that one settler lost -W half-grown pullets in a vei}* 8 time; as they kill for the sake oi killing and not for food. Hoping to see some action a in the matter. 1 am, etc., Tl?v H. SOUTHEYTamanga, April 19th, 1922.