THE RABBIT QUESTION.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2991, 26 January 1881, Page 2

THE RABBIT QUESTION.

[To the Editor of the Daily TeliEGiial'H.l Sir,—Rabbits have unquestionably for some time past been found and killed on several of the runs of Hawke's Bay, and different opinions have been expressed as to their being the wild or tame rabbit. A disinterested person would think the doubt should not effect the question of these animals being destroyed at once ; but it seems Borne of the Hawke's Bay settlers and the Commissioners care not to exert themselves to get rid of these pests, unless convinced they are actually the wild rabbit. We all admit it is well to have an opinion of one's own, hot to be swayed backwards nnd forwards by this or that speaker ; yet it is somewhat vexatious that until proof absolute and tangible be brought to some men euchi will not believe the testimony of others, though satisfied these are incapable of falsehood in their Saily transactions. Since such is the present tendency of the human mind, and our Commissioners are of to-day, I forward okins of the wild rabbits of this district, showing them to be identically the same as those now to be found, caught, and shot on the ranges at the back of the Te Aute settlement. This will, I trust, be conclusive evidence to all that these rabbits should have constant and immediate attention paid them, and for the general interest that prompt and decisive measures be taken to keep the invading rabbits of these quarters from infesting Hawke's Bay. Rabbits are now stealthily creeping north by the open lands along the coast. They are being killed on the south side of the Ohanga river coastwise, and have been seen by surveyors on the wooded ranges at the head of the Ohanga river. Surely a portion of the assessment raised by the rabbit tax should be laid out in destroying them at these places ; for do what the Commissioners may, it is the opinion of old residents in this valley, if the plague is not met and grappled with at these places, nothing can save the Hawke's Bay runholder from the investment of these voracious animals. — I am, &c, A Subscriber. Wairarapa, January 22,1881.