AW ATERE RABBIT BOARD.

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

AW ATERE RABBIT BOARD.

Monday, June 4. Present: Messrs C. Goulter (Chairman), G. B. Richardson, J. Bell, G. P. Dillon and H. D. Vavasour. HATES. Mr W. Acton Adams wrote, enclosing the amount of his rates, L 8 15s. XUK LIGHTHOUSE RESERVE. Mr A- Hansen, principal keeper of tho Oftpe Campbell Lighthouse, wrote, requesting that tho Inspector, Mr Collett, would come and inspect the reserve. The rabbits were nearly all destroyed, but ho would like to have a clean certificate before he sent away the man. The Inspector was instructed to see to tho matter. THE AXCUIU’S SHIPMENT. Mr T. 11. Hanna, local agent for the X.Z 1,. and M.A. Company, wrote, ouolosin*'- a copy of the Company’s advices from Wellington and Christchurch “Stoats and weasels ox Doric: The man in ohatgc of these from England loft the steamer at Hobart, and unco thou they have been in charge of the ship’s butcher, who has evidently been accustomed to this kind of work. U/ animals have reached Lyttelton, amd we have wired to the Wellington office to attend to the transhipment and procure sordine to look after them across to I tetou. > The Secretary said lie had received 134 •stoats and weasels, which he had divided among the various innholders. By some means or other, after tho division there were nine short of the number required, and thus Meadow Bank and another station bad not received any. A.nothcr station had, by mistake, received 8 instead of 5.

Mr T. H. Hanna also wrote, stating that he was, according to the Board’s instructions, requesting the Loudoa office to reduce the Board’s second order by 184 animals, if it had not been execute 1 prior to receipt of bis advices.

A KEPLY ITtOJI AUSTRALIA. A letter was received from the Dcpirtmenfc of Mines, New South Wale.-, acknowledging receipt of the Board’s lottor of the 11th inst, enclosing letters to sieur Levi, representing. Dr to Dr Butcher, requesting that ilfey he forwarded to their proper address, which request had been complied with. The following letter was received from Mr P. Parcean : “ 1. niversity of Adelaide, April 27th,—Sir—In reply to your letter of 11th inst to Professor Watson, I beg to inform you that prior to bis departure for Europe in the beginning of November, 1887, all interest in the disease known as Sareoptes Catncnli was transfeired by him to an Association of stockowners represented in Adelaide by Messrs J. Will# A and Co., of Greenfield-street. As his ” former assistant and present successor in the matter of the rabbit question, I am happy to supply you with the following information : ('l)'No rabbits huve been sent into New South Wales or any other colony since the disease bus been introduced out here ; (2) The cost of a pair of diseased rabbits delivered in Adelaide would be LSO, at your own risk from travelling, &e,; (3) The weather you

describe is the most favorable for tho disease.”

Mr Richardson wanted to know if the disoase was worth having. The Chairman thought tho Board had better hear something further on tho subject. It was decided to hold over consideration of the letter. THE ARAWA’s SHIPMENT.

Mr T. 11. Hanna wrote enclosing the following extract from London correspondence of 4th April, 1868: “Stoats and weasels.—Referring to your previous advices we may mention that we hope to be in a position to mako a shipment to you of from 300 to 400 animals on account of the Awatere Rabbit Board, by tho next Shaw Savill and Albion Go’s, steamer, say the Arawa; leaving on 19th April.” Mr Vaavasour asked whether it was intended to turn out the vermin whero trapping was carried on. Mr Dillon said it would not be a bit of good to do so. They would only bo trapped. Mr Vavasour was under the impression that a resolution to that effect had been passed at a previous meeting. He would move, That no weasels be turned out whero trapping was allowed. The motion was seconded by Mr Dillon, and carried. The Chairman said that Mr Hanna had informed him that the next lot of stoats and weasels would be much choapor, as they would probably cost much loss at Home. With reference to feeding them on the voyage out, Mr Richardson did not think it was necessary that they should be fed wholly on live pigeon, lie thought mutton would do just as well. AN EXPLANATION. Mr Vavasour said that it appeared from tho Times report of the last meeting of the Board that ho had used rather unparliamentary language in reference to Mr Hanna. Ho wished to say that ho had , not the slightest intention of using tho words. It was only a lapsus lint/uae, and lie had only made reference to tho N .Z.L. and M.A. Co. on account of the way in which the Board’s ordors had boon fulfilled. He had not intended to use Mr Hanna’s name in connection with the affair, as lie was aware that Mr Hanna was not responsible for liis superiors in London. It could not be Mr Hanna’s fault that the orders were not executed more promptly. It was ontirely a lapsus Uiirjuae on his (Mr Vavasour’s) part, and he had only taken exception to the company fulfilling the orders conjointly and not concurrently. It was entirely an expression of opinion, irrespective of Mr Hanna. Mi - Hanua, ho believed, had written Home to the London office for an explanation of tho delay, and ho (Mr Vavasour) was glad to hoar that the Board’s orders were likely to be fulfilled about the end of July. At tho same time he thanked the Express for expunging the words lie had made use of. The Board then adjourned.