THE BABBITS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 9428, 1 June 1891, Page 6

THE BABBITS.

THE HHRUNUI PENCE. REPORT OP THE COMMISSIONERS. The Hurunui Rabbit Board, _ being keenly alive to the necessity of making its line of fence doubly secure, has caused several important works to bo undertaken. The netting fence of Iff in mesh, from the Hanmer to the western of the fence in the high waters of the Waiau, has been rendered completely proof against even the youngest and smallest rabbits, by attaching ribbon netting of lin mesh and 18in wide along the bottom of this portion of the fence for nearly the whole distance. At the suggestion of the Inspector, Mr T. H. Lance, it was decided to erect a short piece of new fence from the top of M'Arthur’a saddle to the Styx, this line being lees liable to snow drifts, the existing fence to be left standing as an additional protection. It being frequently reported that rabbits exist in various localities within the Board’s district, it was resolved, at the Board’s meeting on May 15, that two men shall be employed to examine the country between the Waiau and Hurunui rivers; also, two men to examine the country between the Hurunui and Waipara rivers, such men to be jduly authorised under section 18 of " The Rabbit Nuisance Act, 1882, Amendment Act, 1886,” to act as Inspectors under the Board. A new line or rabbit-proof fence is now in the course of completion from a bluff rock in the Waiau, near the Upper Waiau bridge, along the Montrose and Waiau faces on tho south side of the river, to near Gorge creek, and thence down to the Waiau, where the river runs close to the rocks, the total distance being about thirteen miles. This fence will he farther considerably extended if the Government will grant a pound for pound subsidy for the work. This the Government will probably do, seeing that a commission, consisting of Messrs Thos. Duncan, J. Rutherford, W. C. Walker and J. T. Shaw, lately traversed the whole line of tho Board’s fence, and were fully impressed with the necessity of stopping tho advance of the rabbit scourge. The following is the report presented by the Rabbit Pence Commissioners—Messrs Thomas Duncan, J. Rutherford, W. C. Walker and J. T. Shaw—to the Minister for Lands and Agriculture:— • Christchurch, April 10, 1891.

Sir, —We have the honour to forward our report of the inspection of the Hurimui Babbit Board’s fence, in accordance with your request. We examined the whole length of about eighty-four miles (in the same careful manner as we did the South Canterbury fence) from near the head of the river Waiau to the sea, at the mouth of that river. The section starting from the inland terminus up the Waiau to the south side of the Haumer Plains we found had been strengthened along the parts of the fence where rabbits were feared to bo numerous by having a ribbon netting of one inch mesh and eighteen inches wide fastened along the bottom of the original fence. This was erected by the Board for the purpose of preventing small rabbits from going through the one and five-eighths-inch mesh netting. We consider this a matter of assistance to the efficacy of the fence so long as it is placed a sufficient distance in the ground or pegged down to stop the small rabbits from getting under* neath, and extra ties be fixed wherever the two nettings are apart on the upper edge of the ribbon, otherwise when the ribbon separates it makes a good footing for rabbits climbing over. Along the whole line we found the manufacture of the netting faulty, a great many of the meshes being of unequal size and large enough to let small rabbits through, but in justice to the supervision we must add chat most of these faults had been repaired ; consequently, owing to this imperfection in the manufacture, the Board would, in our opinion, be acting wisely by continuing the erection of this ribbon netting throughout. Portions of netting on this section were considerably below the standard height, and in such places it would be advisable that the height be raised to at least three feet from the ground. The line of fence has been well chosen, running as it does (with the exception of Maling’s Pass) from St James’ to Lake Tennyson, and again from the crossing of the Waiau river to the terminus of the fence along the south side of a river at a short distance, and in this manner affording every reasonable expectation that all rabbits which cross the river may be easily dealt with. The inland terminus (near the head of the Waiau) which runs a short distance into the bush, is not in our opinion a satisfactory ending, as there is at present no barrier to stop rabbits getting round the end where it is carried into the bush.

The portion from St James’ to the south side of the Hanmer Plains is in good order with the exception of a short piece on the range between St James’ homestead and the Dillon river, where the netting shows signs of having suffered from the snow, but we believe the Board is taking steps to alter the line to a safer place. The section from Leslie Kills bridge to Mount Palm was in good order considering the faulty manufacture. On this section wherever the fence runs near a suitable river bluff, wing fences and traps should be erected. On the section from Mount Palm to the_ sea the fence is carried for the greater portion of its length over two rough and difficult ranges. It appears to be in good order, but careful inspection of the netting near the ground in many cases (such as the Learnington flat) is nest to impossible, owing to the length of grass. The same remark in the last paragraph as to wing fences and traps applies here. Ample evidence exists on this section to, show that the fence is endangered by cattle being allowed to run on both sides of the fence. The terminus at the sea cannot be looked upon as thoroughly satisfactory until provision has been made to cope with rabbits that get upon the shingle-bsd and bank between the present ending and the sea. It is to be hoped that the Board will take prompt action to remedy this defect, and obtain such a terminus as will be practically secure.

It was noticed by ua that few wirenetting traps had been erected along tho fence, and these were of no practical value. We consider it is most important that at all suitable angles short wing fences should be erected for tbe purpose of leading rabbits into properly constructed traps, especially as moat of the line offers natural facilities for the erection of such traps, but in no case whatever should any openings bo made in the main fence in connection with traps. We were pleased to find that in most cases the gates were of iron, well constructed and well hung, but it would be desirable to substitute iron gates for tbe few wooden gates that now exist, so as to better ensure the fence. The flood-gates, as a rule, are good, but where constructed of wood they should in every case be backed with wire netting. It is satisfactory to note that the Board, under its regulations, insists upon careful maintenance by tbe caretakers, and provides regular inspection by the Board’s Inspector (Mr Lance). We trust, however, that the advantages to be gained by periodical inspection of the whole of the fence by members of the Board will not be lost sight of; in this way the Board will be always able to judge for itself of the satisfactory condition of the fence and so be thoroughly independent of outside rumour.

Wo have thought it our duty to draw attention to the few points on which the fence was-'deficient; but we are happy to be able to report that we believe the fence to be carrying out the work for which it was erected, so long as it is carefully maintained and improved in such manner as experience proves necessary. So far as we were able to see, very few rabbits or scracchmgs were to be found on either side of tqe_ fence, still we were glad to learn that as a further precaution a second line of fence is to be. erected from the Upper Waiau bridge up the south side of the Waiau, as undoubtedly, some few rabbits exist in tho high country south of the present Clarence line and the river Waiau. It is also a matter of encouragement to the jßoard to-observe that their work.is-being

materially assisted by the erection of so many private rabbit-proof fences adjacent to tho Board’s fence. In conclusion we desire to record our thanks to the Board, and to its Inspector, for the kindness shown in assisting ns towards the performance of our duties.