RABBIT BOARD

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVI, Issue 3445, 19 March 1932, Page 5

RABBIT BOARD

MEETING AT OTOROHANGA. A large number of settlers met at the Otorohanga Town Hall yesterday (Friday) with the object of forming a .Rabbit Board to embrace the districts of Otorohanga, Whawharua, Waitomo, Hangatiki, Te Raumauku, and Honikiwi. The following representatives of the Stock and Agricultural Department were present; —Mr. Munro, Chief Inspector of Stock; Mr. Melrose, of the Agricultural Department, Te Awamutu; Mr. W. G. Bonner, of the Stock Department, Te Kuiti District. Mr. W. J. Dimond of Waitomo was voted to the chair and called upon Mr. Munro to address the meeting. Mr. Munro outlined the operations of the Act, giving various methods of poisoning, and also explained in detail the breeding habits of the rabbit. Mr. N. Early, chairman of the Arapae Rabbit Board, also spoke and referred to the excellent work done by the Boards at Oparure and Mangakowhai which adjoin the proposed new area. This particular territory was formerly overrun with rabbits, but since the Boards' united activities very few rabbits are in evidence. After general discussion the following provisional committee was set up:—Messrs. W. J. Dimond (secretary), G. Martin, A. Pettigrew, W. I. Bowyer. It was suggested that the provisional rate of '2d. per acre be levied which carries a Government subsidy of 100 per cent. The proposed Board's area is estimated to embrace 29,000 acres, most of which is depasturing sheep, run cattle and dairy cows. It was the opinion of the meeting that the various Boards had *"*done excellent work. As soon as the boundaries are definitely defined a further meeting will be called to finalise matters.