THE RABBIT PEST.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 42, 13 November 1907, Page 2

THE RABBIT PEST.

(BY TKEEGRAriI— SrEOIAIi CORKESPONDENT.) • Hastings, November 12. At a meeting of the Hawke's Bay Rabbit Board to-dny extracts wero read from Chief Inspector Clifford's annual report as well as Inspector Ross's report.. Inspector Ross stated that last year a large increase of rabbits from Wairoa had been reported, but that the country had been worked much better under tho Board's control, and the rabbits have now been considerably reduced in consequonco. Tho country generally was clean and careful supervision was exercised. "It is evident," he reported, " tho Rabbit Board have a Herculean task before them to keep its district clean if largo areas are to bo abandoned as soon as the pressure of the Rabbit Act is (brought to bear." Mr. E. Clifton, Chief Inspector of Stock, reported it was gratifying to recognise that the measures adopted by tho Hawkes Bay Rabbit Board had beon effective in an area inspected, and whero they had been applied. But fow rabbits wore seen on parts whero rabbiters, dogs, and traps were still adhered to. However, the rabbit was certainly in evidence Poisoning, fumigation of burrows, and wirenetting caused a reduction of rabbits, and whorover, tho erection of wire-netting was possible 'uho should be made of its protection. Inspector Ross's supplementary report was generally satisfactory. " Under the Board's energetic control," it stated, "it is improbable rabbits will ever become tho scourgo they once were. My inspection of wido areas leads me to the conclusion that their condition is c..-editable to the' administration of tho Act, and the results appear eminently creditable to tho Board, the Chief Inspector, and his subordinates. Perhaps tho best testimony to their efficiency is tho fact that a number of landholders who at one time opposed the administration of the Act by tho Board are now supporting that body."