MAXIMUM LEVY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22622, 27 April 1948, Page 6

MAXIMUM LEVY

BOARD7S RATE WAR AGAINST RABBITS STATE AID HOPED FOR The ever-increasing war on rabbits in the area administered by the East Coast Rabbit Board has meant a substantial increase in expenditure and it appears that next year the maximum levy allowed by the Act will be imposed on farmers. Even then, members at Friday’s meeting of the board were of the opinion that the amount collected would not be sufficient to successfully combat the pest. Discussing the striking of a rate for the year ended March, 1949, board members were unanimous that the lack of funds should not interfere with the effort to make the lands in tiro board's area as free as possible of the rabbit pest. It was reported by the secretary, Mr R. W. J. Edwards, that the expenditure, mainly wages, had more than doubled for the year ended March 31, 1948. compared with the previous year. Expenditure for the present financial year would be much heavier than for any previous year and a rate of Id for each sheep or lamb and 5d for each cattle beast would require to be struck. This was the limit allowed under the Act. Conference This Week Members were of the opinion that, the revenue this rate produced would be insufficient to meet the expenditure and the hope was expressed that following the conference of North Island Rabbit Boards to be held in Palmerston North this week, additional Government financial aid would be forthcoming. Payments confirmed during Hie past month totalled £2136. Inspectors’ reports from the Wairoa area stated that during the past month 3883 rabbits had been killed, 3290 of these having been poisoned. No report was received from the Whakatane area. Inspecting the southern portion of the board's area, Mr. H. F. Bennison reported that a poison gang was working at Waihanui, but had been held up by bad weather. There were still a considerable number of rabbits on the property. Kaihunahuna is to be poisoned as soon as Waihanui is completed. The Waihua station also has been poisoned and dogged, but odd rabbits were noticed on the road and railway adjoining the property. It is the inspector's opinion that they are making their way along the line and old road from the Mohaka native country and infesting the Waihua country. The Mohaka native country is badly infested again, but a new poison gang has been placed on the country. Pollard Poison Successful Pollard poisoning has been successful in the northern Wairoa area, the dry March having been particularly suitable. Tire total number of rabbits killed during the month in this area was 195. The following properties were inspected: Tangiwai station, traces: Tukimokiti station, traces, one rabbit killed at homestead; Mr. Sherratt’s, Hangaroa, signs, two rabbits killed; Springhill station, traces; Mr. K. Mcßae's, clean; Mr. G. Little’s, Ohuka, traces, one killed; Mr. Riddiford’s, Ohuka, signs and traces; Mr. J. Boyle’s, Ohuka, signs and traces, three killed; Mr. L. Ebbel’s, Ohuka, traces; Mr. Buttericks, traces; Mr. T. Davey’s, Ardkeen. _ fairly clean, one killed; Mr. O. Birrell’s Ardkeen, one killed, traces on one small corner: Mr. M. Andrew’s, Ardkeen. clean; Mr. E. Clifton’s, clean; Mr. J. Spooner’s, Ardkeen, clean, one killed. A fair number of rabbits were traced in the Okuha area, which was very dirty country with plenty of cover, commented the inspector. More men were required to check and clean up this area, which would benefit from poisoning when conditions were favourable. Members of the board present at the meeting were Messrs. E. M. Monckton, chairman, M. L. Holden, G. M. Reynolds, H. C. Nolan, A. L. McKinnon, and E. B. Smythc, of the Department of Agriculture