RABBITS INCREASE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21899, 18 December 1945, Page 4

RABBITS INCREASE

EAST COAST MENACE

FARMERS URGED TO ACT All ratepayers in the Wairoa district are to be asked to kill as many rabbits as possible themselves on (heir properties and not wait until a rabbitcr is available to do the job. This suggestion was made by Mr. Humphrey Bayly and approved by other members at a meeting of the East Coast Rabbit Board. This will assist an extensive programme of poisoning which the board s' inspectors will begin in March, that being regarded as the most suitable time of the year. The chairman, Mr. E. M. Monckton, reported that he and Mr. G. M. Reynolds had recently discussed rabbit control with Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P. Support was sought for the board to be placed in a favourable position for the acquisition of suitable huts from the War Assets Realisation Board Mr. Coleman was asked to confer with Mr. E. L. Cullen, M.P., about the serious rabbit menace in Hawke’s Bay, which was stated to be affecting the territory of the East Coast Rabbit Board. Mr. Monckton said the Railway Department was erecting a rabbit stop at. the Mohaka viaduct. Mr. Coleman informed the chairman that he would give these questions his immediate attention.

Mr. H. A. Burgess, inspector, reported that he had found very few signs of rabbits at Ngahuinga, and no indications on the sandhills. Waiohau, Kopuriki, Te Houhi between the two river s at Murapara, and the Te Whaiti area also had been inspected with little result.

Mr. H. Drysdale, sub-inspector, reported that an examination of Ruatikuri station revealed signs of rabbits along the Mangaruhe boundary, but these had been cleaned up. Indications of rabbits also had been found on the Maori country around Te Reinga, but there was no trace on the eastern side of the river. On Mungaroa signs of rabbits were discovered.

The chairman reported that during the 12 months ended November 30 a total of 2700 rabbits had been killed in the Wairoa area, compared with 1079 in the previous 12 months.