THE RABBIT PEST.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17293, 3 November 1921, Page 9

THE RABBIT PEST.

IO THE EDITOR OK "THE PBESa." Sir, —The unwonted increase of bits in tho northern dittrict of C'UUerbury, largely duo probably to the un- d accountable- disappearance of the welta, is causing some anxiety. Possibly thia is not an inappropriate time to remind settlers of some steps that, were taken, many vears ago to sa.ro these parts ot tho country from the rajudly-approaoh.-in<* enemy. About thirty years ago, tho pest, had devastated the Kaikourat and Blenheim districts. The first silvergrey rabbits had been turned out at, Swvneumbe .ionio years previously. Mr J. TJ. Lance, who then represented Hurunui in Parliament, realised our danger, and nas larrely instrumental in forming the Hurunui Board. The original meroliers were George MoUae. chairman, \V. O. Rutherford, W. Macfariane. James Little, and G. I>. Greenwood, .and, 1 loain. with the greatest regret, that roy lat>t surviving cotrustee has just also joined tl><» majority. The scheme was to. erect a rabbit-proof fenoj from the sea to Lake Tennydou, following the courses of tho Wsia.a and Clarence rivers. The coat

'of ; this wa? to be bora© by-a differential rate and a-Government subsidy., Tho district' south of .the. Hurunui river, represented jby Sir "James Little aud tlio ivriter, only upxeed to oomo into tlw scheme on condition that the rate struck in our district should bo half' thai} struck iu the .northern half, as we were furthest away, from the pest. This agreement was loyally kept during the, eight or nine years I was a member ol : the Board, and until an extended residence in made it impossible for me to .continue this wort. .After ni.vj'i retirement, the rate was made the same over the entire district, and little has been done in the south and. east of it to deal with the increase recently noted. —Yours, etc., G. D. GREENWOOD. Toviotdale, November Ist.