RABBIT CONTROL

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22205, 16 December 1946, Page 4

RABBIT CONTROL

POISON METHODS BIG HAUL REPORTED VIADUCT TRAP OVERHAUL "Since my last report I have inspected the poisoning work at Cricklewood. The take has been patchy, but in some places the results were good, the 'reason being that in those places Die rabbits have not been disturbed for some time. I have found out since that in Die portions where the take was not satisfactory the rabbits had been dogged, trapped and shot recently," stated Mr. if. F. Bennison, subinspector in charge of a portion of the Wairoa area, in his monthly report to the East Coast Rabbit Board's meeting. The sub-inspector added that in his experience it was advisable to leave rabbit colonies alone if success was to attend the poisoning programme. Otherwise lliey were too wary to take the baits. The "best results could be obtained by poisoning once and .then leaving Die’ locality alone for say two months, after which more poison should be laid. Babbits Scattered by Dogs Using dogs after poisoning simply meant scattering the rabbits then surviving. Experience showed tha-t it took four to live days for the animals to approach the baits and any disturbance short of that period meant that the expenditure of poison was practically valueless. The Mediaka River was now fairly clear of rabbits. Mr. Bennison indicated. but the position needed close watching all the time. Traces of rabbits were found on the Pihanui road, and poison was to be laid there after Christmas. Three men were to go on to the Waireka block after the holidays to poison it systematically, this being one of the worst-infested areas in the board's district at present. Portion of the Waiki block inspected during the month also showed traces, and would be poisoned. The comparative failure of the rabbit-trap on the Mohaka viaduct was proved by the killing of several rabbits on the board's side of the river near the viaduct itself, the sub-inspector stated. The trap required attention as soon as possible. The Awamate country was clear of rabbits, he added., and the Wairoa cemetery area was still clean after the recent combing-out. The cleaning-up of the lupin-grown area at Whakaki and on Mr. Tombleson’s property between Whakaki . and Nuhaka. was reported by Mr. H. Drysdale, sub-inspector in charge of the Wairoa North block. Fie stated that the rabbiter formerly kept in this locality was now being shifted to Opotiki, where a rabbit had been caught recently. Total kills in Mr. Drysdale’s block for the month were 132, including 24 at Mangaruhe, 12 at Ruakaka, seven at Tuwharetoi. 13 at Glassford’s, seven at Okare, 11 at Waikatea, six at Pokopoko, and 11 at vVaihi. Rabbit Kills in North Rabbits killed in the northern part of the board’s district, on the other hand, totalled o n 13, according to .the report of Mr. H. A. Burgess, inspector. Mr. Burgess mentioned finding signs of rabbits along the Rangitaiki River at Murupara, and odd signs at near the Te Houhi boundary. A nest was found near the homestead at Kopuariki, and three black runners were caught, while in addition the owner of In-' killed two more. Arrangements were being made for summer poisoning in the Tarawera and Te Haroto areas. Kills during the past month included two at Murupara. three at Galatea, five it Kopuariki. and three at Omatara. Dealing with the reports the board agreed that every effort should be made to adopt the most effective methods to combat the pest in the south. The chairman. Mr. E. M. Monckton, reported upon his recent visit to Mohaka and an inspection of the rabbit-trap on the viaduct. Three more men had been selected for employment in the Wairoa South area.