A SERIOUS MENACE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3482, 6 November 1913, Page 3

A SERIOUS MENACE.

RABBITS BELIEVED TO HAVE INVADED POVERTY BAY. YOUNG DOE SHOT AT WHATATUTU ON TUESDAY. The immunity from the rabbit pest which this district has enjoyed up to the present would appear to be at an endi Mr W. D. Lysnar, a member of the East Coast Rabibt Board, informed' a “Times” reporter yesterday that he had received word that a rabbit, had been shot on Messrs Hood and Lawrie’s Tokomoko station, a few miles on tlio Mangatu side of Whatatutu on Tuesday last. This property, which was occupied until recently by Mr H. Adair, is situated in the Mangatu No. 1 block, and adjoins the back portion of the Rangatira Station. All hope that the furry stranger might turn out to be a hare vanished; yesterday, when the animal was sent in to Mr W. J. Hennessy, secretary of the Rabbit Board, and was proved beyond all possibility of doubt to be a young doe rabbit. Mr Lysnar stated that the Board had arranged l to send a man out to inspect the locality, in order to sec whether any more rabbits were about. Discussing the position Mr Lysnar stated that he was afraid that the Waii •ca. district was affected, but an important resolution was at present before the Board) which would deal with the position. It is to lie hoped that the rabbit found at Whatatutu will prove to be a solitary. wanderer, as if she is accompanied by many of her prolific species it will prove, a serious matter for the district, as in such a broken district, where the hush affords such excellent cover, it would be a very difficult task to expel the invaders if once they got a footing.