RABBIT POISON.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XII, Issue 1222, 10 June 1919, Page 5

RABBIT POISON.

SHORTAGE OF SUPPLIES. DEPARTMENT CRITICISED. For aome time past, Te Kuiti members of tbe Farmers' Union have been endeavouring to persuade the Department of Agriculture to erect a plant here to mix poison with pollard for the purpose of disposal to farmers desirous of destroying rabbits. A reply has been received from the Department stating that the proposal could not be entertained, not only because too much expense would be involved, but because there waa a plant at Hamilton, which was in a position to meet requirements. Local farmers are extremely dissatisfied with tbe reply of tbe Department on tbe ground that the poison mixture is not obtainable at Te Kuiti or Hamilton, as stated. Last 7ear, a number of settlers in this district were brought before tbe magistrate on charges of failing to destroy rabbits on their properties, but they simply could not get supplies of poison, and felt that it was, under the circumstances, very unfair to prosecute them.

It was realised that the rabbit inspectors were not to blame. They simply bad to do their duty and could not discriminate as to whether a farmer had the poison or not. This morning a letter was received from a farmer at Waitanguru on the subject. A rabbit board has been formed in that district, but operations are suspended owing to inability to obtain poison. Farther action is to be taken as the matter is urgent. It is only at the present time and nexf month that the poison can be laid to advantage.