RABBIT CONTROL MEASURES

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27738, 16 August 1955, Page 8

RABBIT CONTROL MEASURES

LITTLE DAMAGE FROM PEST / Although the stage has now been reached in rabbit control where the pest is doing little or no. damage continuous pressure must be maintained to clear farm lands completely of the remaining rabbit population. This statement is made in the annual report of the Department of Agriculture in reviewing progress in this wori last year. Increased production is becoming more and more evident as beneficial results from the reduction in the pesi become apparent, says the report. The loss occasioned by the pest in the las’ 90 years was incalculable, and like wise the benefits that will accrue from the control measures are also incalculable. “Steady progress is being made m bringing the remaining rabbit-infested country under board control, and during the 12 months under review, 13 new rabbit districts were constituted and in 10 instances new areas were attached to existing rabbit districts. Thcarea involved is 862,000 acres. The area under board control is 27,373,434 acres in 188 rabbit districts. “The State has continued to give substantial financial assistance to boards, and in the 12 months ended March, 1955, £426,175 was paid out in subsidy on rates and £290,000 as grants. The State met the costs of rabbiting unoccupied Crown and Maori lands, which amounted to £24,118. “Aerial distribution of poison is now widespread and the method had been primarily responsible for spectacular results obtained in the tussock country of the South Island.”