THE Marlborough Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1888.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 5 May 1888, Page 2

THE Marlborough Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, MAY 5, 1888.

The question of rabbit extermination has for some time past occupied a considerable amount of attention, and at tlie present time a commission is sitting in Sydney to devise the best means of getting rid of wbat is termed the rabbit nuisance. For our part we are of opinion that the rabbit question involves serious consideration, not only from a local but a colonial point of view. For years past “poor bunny” has been much maligned, but the experience of tlie past winter has excited in this district a more kindly feeling towards the rodent, and people begin to query whether the animal has proved such a curse to the country as it is generally supposed to be. At any rate there is a contra side to the question, to which perhaps sufficient prominence has not been given, and without claiming to be endowed with the gift of immaculate prophecy, we believe the day is not far distant when the alleged pest will be turned into a profitable export, giving employment to a large amount of labor. No better illustration of. the importance of this industry can be given if the operation now being carried on at the local meat preserving works are referred to, one of which at least has been fully occupied for some months past in preserving rabbits for export. To give our readers an idea of the possible expansion of the trade, we may mention that no less than 12,000 rabbits were received on Saturday last, and the operation of skinning, cleaning and preserving that large quantity was continuously carried on until completed. The skinning process is a remarkable piece of dexterity, ene expert being able to put through no less than 340 per hour. The enterprise shown by Messrs Holmes and Bell in establishing the factory has resulted in great benefit to the district, that firm having proved the practical commercial value to this district of the meat preserving industry. The Hon W. Clifford, with a keen foresight as to the future expansion of the trade, has, we understand, purchased the Company’s works and some 70 acres of land attached thereto. He has already shown his faith in the venture by making additions to the buildings, tenders are now called for further accommodation, and we believe that orders for additional machinery are now under way. Mr Clifford is to be congratulated on his enterprise, and in the interests of the community it is to be hoped that he will be successful. It will a fiord employment to a large number of men in the district, which at this season of the year will prove a great boon not only to the men themselves but to the business community in town, who already experience the advantages of a large amount of cash being circulated every week. We are authoritatively informed that not less than £SOO a week is at present being paid for labor in connection with the industry, and that of course does not include the return of capital from the Old Country in payment of the goods exported, it is therefore apparent on these and other grounds that, intelligently utilised, the rabbits are not the unmitigated pest that they are popularly supposed to be, although it will be admitted the country would have been the gainer had they never been introduced.