THE RABBIT NUISANCE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3783, 30 August 1883, Page 2

THE RABBIT NUISANCE.

The adjourned meeting of sheepfarmers and others interested in the suppression of the rabbit n.isaijcp was held this forenoon at the oflice of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society. Captain liussejl occupied tho chair.

Mr Douglas McLean read the report /bi the committee appointed to obtain information with respect to the erection of the proposed fence from Porangahau to Woodville, as follows: —

Your committee beg to report that, as instructed, they proceeded to Porangahau and conferred with the Rabbit Committee thpre, and, accompanied by Mr T. Crosse and Mr Mnnro, the Inspector, examined tho present boundary fonce at AVaimata and the proposed extension, and are of the opinion that it is desirable to extend it for a distance of at least twelvo miles, with a view, if necessary, of extending it at some future time to the Mauawatu river. There aro two alternative lines, one which is described in tlic report of the Porangahau Rabbit Committee hereto appended, the other virtually following the old provincial boundary froni the ond of tho present fence to the Akiteo river and one mile beyond, as shown by dotted lines on tho plan hereto annexed. The former would bo longer and more expensive; the latter would bo cheaper, but might possibly fence in a few rabbits on the northern side, and owing to tho creeks and river to bo crossed might involve more labour iv keeping in order. As regards the latter point it would bo the duty of the Inspector and the men whom it willbcA necessary to employ in charge of the line to exercise special supervision at these points. AYe estimate roughly the cost of the rabbit proof fence as follows;— Bush, say five miles at £248 por mile ; fairly clear land, six miles at £183 por mile; scrub, oiio< mile at £210 per mile. Tjie cost of the lino proposed by ti.P Poranghau Rabbit Committee they estimate at £238 per mile. It is necessary to point out that, while wo have ascertained that no objection is likely to be raised to the fence being carried along' tLo boundary,'it is probable that tho Government will object to the fence' being carried along the lino proposed by tho Porangahau Rabbit Committee, a s it will intersect land which the Government propose putting up for sale shortly. Our reasons for the erection of the fence arc that the rabbits aro on the North Akiteo run ; that rabbits are now being killed at the AVaimata fence ; that they are numerous on the runs south of AJritco north to Castlo Point, and that they are gradually being ilriveii northwards from the AVairarapa district by tlic runhoklers, who are endcavourng to'exterminate them by the use of dogs, wison, &c. And it must be borne in mind hat, while rabbits may not be so numerous is formerly on some runs in tho AVairarapa md AVhareama districts, they are becoming scattered over a far larger area by the action ol rabbitpr.s, kc AVith 'regard to the alternative proposal of employing men to exterminate rabbits immotliat&ty soutii pf tho boundary without tho aid of a f'enci., W- arc of. tJ.;o opiijion that thi,s course so far from being'satisfactory, aud Would only .»_■ suit in the rabbits being driven further i north. Having completed our examination; of the Akiteo north country avc proceeded to Ekntahiiua, yja Castlo Point, Thin, ki.

The information gathered on the road from persons of experience on the subject of rabbit extermination confirmed our vieAv of ■tho necessity of the continuation of the W» ; mata fence. AYe arc not of opinion from tho result of our inspection and enquiries in the locality that tho danger of invasion from Ekatahuna and along tho road towards AVoodville is not imminent. AYe have to express our sense of obligation to Mr Baker, Chief Surveyor, for in forma tion and assistance furnished us, and to tho manager of tho Akiteo station for the facilities ho afforded us in making our inspection. R. D. Douolas McLean. J. 11. Louounan. John Chambers.

The report of the Porangahau Committee £ on tho subject was also read, as follows : — Tbe members of this committee are oi opinion that the proposed line of fence ought to keep tho Avatcrshcd, or as near the Avatcrshed as possible for some six or seven miles, for tho following reasons. Firstly, to avoid watercourses and sidlings ; and, secondly, because avc have good reason to belicA-e that tho Avhole of the rabbits Avill bo on the southern side of this line. From that point, viz., six or seven miles from the western end of tho AVaimata fence, the line might bo taken toAvards tho proA'incial boundary, but not to strike the Akiteo river beloAv the junction, or Avhere it divides. From this junction there is leading country up to Pukitoi on the southern side of Mr Hamilton's. Our reasons for not striking the river beloAv the junction aro because it Avould be very difficult to carry on the fence after crossing the river, owing to the country being very rough and broken. The river itself below this point is very difficul to deal with ; it is very Avidc, with sandj banks, and principally a papa bottom ■*- There aro also grassy flats along the side. AboA'O tho junction tho river is only ball the size, and much narrower in its bed, and there would bo no other creeks to cross betAveen it and the Pukitoi range. Our reasons for objecting to the provincial boundary line aro as follows : —ln the first place the country between the first trig station and the AVaimata rabbit fence is very steep and intersected by several deep streams ; the trig station itself is very high, and Avould be a difficult pkico to get the material to. By keeping to the north of this line for saj r half a mile these streams and the trig station itself could be avoided. Between this high trig station and the back boundary of the Akiteo run tho country is nearly all clear of bush, with three large creeks running through the line. The two first could probably be boxed in, and made rabbit-proof, with a well constructed floodgate, but the third could not be managed, OAving to its being Tery deep, and the banks very much broken, in fact thero arc slips and cracks on tlic hills on each side right to the top. And, in addition to these reasons, avc aro perfectly certain that there arc rabbits through all the clear land on each side of this line. Alfiied 11. Price, Chairman Porangahau Committee. Mr McLean moved tlic adoption of the Napier sub-committco's report. Mr Miller seconded tho motion. ■*— Somo considerable discussion took place as to the best line to adopt for the fence, during Avhich it Avas elicited that, whilo the fence recommended by the Porangahau committee Avould be more expensive, and about tAvo miles longer, than the alternate lino, it would bo also tho most effectual in keeping back the rabbits. Tho roport was ultimately adopted, and tho sub-committee thanked for the trouble they had taken in the matter. In reply to Mr Tanner, the Chairman said the meeting, in adopting the sub-com-mittee's report, did not commit itself to any particular line for the fence, but simply approved of tho system. Mr Donnelly moved, "That a company be formed, Avith a capital of £.50,000 in 10,000 shares of £■') each, to acquire the land along the southern boundary of the Hawke's Bay province, for a -width say of ono mile, to fence, grass, stock the same with sheep, and to work tho Avholo generally to the best advantage of the company, but more particularly for preventing rabbits from entering this provincial district, and that tho Government and natives bo asked to give land for that purpose. Mr Douglas seconded the motion. Mr Tanner said he Avould support the motion, with the view to tlic matter being placed beforo the public to sco if it Avould bo taken up by them. >~ Tho motion, on being put to the meeting,

was negatived on the A'oiccs. Mr it. N. AVilliams moved, and Mr Miller seconded, "That this meeting authorise tho sub-committee and the Porangahau committee to act together for the purpose of erecting a rabbit proof fence at or near the southern boundary of the province." This resolution Avas carried, after a brief discussion regarding ways and means. Mr Tanner moved, "That the members for the provincial district be requested to ask the Government if they will give instructions that the boundaries of the sections of Crown lands to be sold in the neighborhood of the line of fence be made parallel Avith the proposed lino at a, distance of ono chain on each side of it."—Seconded by Mr AY. J. Birch and carried. It Avas also resolved, on the motion of Mr Dobson, seconded by Air Kinross, "That the names of Messrs J. N. AVilliams, J. IT. Coleman, AY. Douglas, Captain AY. R. Russell be added to flic sub-committee, and that the sub-committee have power to do all such tilings as they think fit for carrying out tho resolutions already passed at this and the previous meeting." _ A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded tho proceedings.