RABBIT DESTRUCTION

Evening Star, Issue 18852, 29 January 1925, Page 3

RABBIT DESTRUCTION

EXPERIMENTS SUGGESTED

[Special to the ’ Star.’]

CHRISTCHURCH. January 28,

At a meeting of the Canterbury Sheep Owners’ Union'to-night the sub-committee set up to deal with research work in conllOcHoli with rabbit destruction _ ■recommended (bat special men be appointed to experiment and advise ns to the best method to adopt, and the. best poisons to lisp, etc., with a view to advising sheep owners; and that the secretary be instructed to take the necessary steps with a. view to these- appointments being made after consultation with the local departmental officers. It was expected that important information would be shortly to hand trom .America with reference to tho new disease, tularaemia., Olio origin of which had been traced to the rabbit by American scientists. , .Mr (T. 0. Rutherford moved Iliac it bo a recommendation that an export tax on winter skins be imposed, and a bonus paid on all skins taken through the period from October 1 (n March 51. if this is found to bo practicable by the department; or, as an alternative, that tho Rabbit Act be amended to provide for power to bo Mven to rabbit boards to have control over tho methods of destruction and disposal of all products from those killed in their respective districts—such as skins, carcasses, etc. ; and that boards be given power to use any funds resulting from the sale of the same to meet, further expenses incurred in respect to rabbit destruction in their respective districts.

This motion was carried. It was agreed that it boa, recommendation that all poisonous preparations sold for rabbit destruction be standardised as to quality, and sold under (Joverurncnt certificate only, with a view to the protection of users against adulteration.

The Secretary reported that he had arranged for a copy of the imv Fencing Act. (recently passed in Australia) to be forwarded. The Act provided for the supply of wire netting to settlers on deferred payment under the Advances to Settlers scheme. It was agreed that the application of a, similar measure in Now Zealand would be, of great assistance to run holders, and it was decided to arrange for the, drafting of a. similar Bill to suit conditions in tho dominion.