THE RABBIT PEST

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 125, 23 November 1923, Page 6

THE RABBIT PEST

EFFORTS FOR EXTERMINATION

BOAKD FORMED IN PIAKO DISTRICT. ,

(IT miOM»«._w|cMl 10 »| ton.)

• ■■ ■ AUCKLAND, This Day. Some parts 6£ the . Piako district ara infested with rabbits, but fanners realise the danger of the pest spreading, and are taking means to combat it. It W l a8 r,.6<? d?4 at a Meeting of farmers held lat KtwiUhi to form a Babbit Beard it being suggested that the area include v' , r??' B0 as to clean UP the whole Piako Valley. Some interesting correspondence was read on the subject-of forming rabbit boards. The secretary of one such body m response to a query whether boards c.^ c. •an '.■■WHl'Mlified success, stated: JSothmg is an unqualified success where rabbits are concerned, except their ability to multiply." Another communication stated that when one board was formed four years ago there was great opposition, but how it was greatly appreciated. "One of the troubles with our rabbit board," stated another writer, ' was the absentee property owner, of which there have been numbers since the slump set in." The meeting was addressed by Messrs. •Barugh and Alexander,. stock inspectors, and though these gentlemen were given an attentive hearing, there was considerable opposition, one farmer contending that he had cleared his property of rabbits, and did not see why he should help to pay for his neighbour to dear his property. If the rabbit inspectors did their work, and continued to summons offenders, offenders would find it less costly to clew out tie rabbits. It was only by neglect and carelessness that rabbits had got a hold 'in the district •t all.

It was stated, that a rate of 4d an ape, with a, Government subsidy of a similar amount, would be sufficient to exterminate the rabbits. One speaker «aW that the system of having inspectors to tell farmers to kill out rabbits-was absolutely ridiculous. It was just the same as telling a farmer he must milk his cows of shear his sheep. It was decided, by a small majority, to form a Rabbit Board.