RABBIT INSPECTORS’ REPORTS.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 5 June 1888, Page 3

RABBIT INSPECTORS’ REPORTS.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Awatere Rabbit Board, tho Rabbit Inspectors’ reports worn read. Tho Chief Inspector, Mr H. E. Collett, reported as follows : “ I have tho honor to report that since the last meeting of tho Board I have sont out notices to destroy rabbits to all stockowners in the district. The shipment of stoats and weasels taken over from the Amuri Board arrived in Blenheim on the 22nd ult., and after being counted were found to number 134 (4S stoats and SO weasels). These were distributed amongst stockowners at the rate of one for evory £27 rates and subsidy. It is to bo regretted that some arrangement cannot bo made to turn them out in larger numbers. Upon this occasion several stations had under five, and some only two. I have visited the Awatero Flats for the purpose of noting tho work dono by the trappers. I find that on Dumgrco, where they commenced in March, tho rabbits have been very much reduced, and if tho men are kept on longer they will make a very satisfactory improvement. One of tho trappers informed mo that there are ferrets in nearly every barrow, and that they arc very healthy and in good condition. This country was some of tho worst in tho Awatere. I believo the trappers get a good many old does and rabbits who never take the poison, but against this advantage is tho injury to tho natural enemy. Mr Watson informs me that he will start poisoning tho hills to-day. Upon going down tho river to Vernon, I found that nothing had been dono on that side of tho run, but sun informed that Mr Clifford lias 17 trappers at work on the other side, and also that ho intends to trap the wliolo run, and on this point I must ask your instructions, as I am certain that it will require live or six times as many men to do the work in the course of tho next three months. From enquiries I have made, it would appear that the two factories have put through about 110,000 rabbits since starting operations this ■winter. The largest number I remember being taken off Starboro’ by poisoning and killing is 134,000 in ono year. Considering that a very large proportion of these rabbits come off the Dumgreo River Flats, Richmond Brook (small portion), tho Taylor Pass, and tlio front of the Vernon and Wither runs, these figures are not altogether unsatisfactory.” The sub-inspector, Mr Thomas Dickenson, reported as follows : “I beg to report that, acting under your instructions, I left early in the month of May for Farndale, for the purpose of interviewing Mr Horner, the manager of that station, as to tho best means of co-operating with the adjoining < runholders in poisoning tho rabbits on the J Acheron face and along tho Saxton River ] and to the boundary of Hillersdcn. Having ascertained from Mr James Bell, tho manager of Hillersdon, that lie was about to commence poisoning on the country under bis control, I at the same time arminged with Mr Horner to poison also, each of whom purposed starting this work early in June. 1 then went on to Mr Lowo’s station, at St Helens, and am pleased to he ablo to state that Mr Lowe signifies his intention of commencing poisoning on the Guide and Barefell Pass country at once. At tho time I passed over this country there had been a very heavy fall of snow, which hindered work and rendered travelling very laborious. After leaving St Helens I went over Barefcll’s Pass and visited one of the poisoners’ camps at Molesworth, and found tho men doing very satisfactory k work. Two gangs, consisting of nino men each, wc-re employed in this work by Mr M'FTuughton—ono lot under the control of John Gill, working towards Ward's Pass and Murphy’s Hill; tho other under tho control of Collins, the head shepherd, working round tho Clareneo face, Spaniard Flat and Buller Hill country. In each instanco the work was carried on in a thoroughly systematic and business-like manner, and the results prove highly satisfactory to all concerned. Upon my arrival at the Muller Station, I found 2fr Caw to hud nine men engaged m poisoning tho third creek and Neweombe’s country. The time at ray disposal did not admit of my visiting the poisoned ground at this place, but I intend to do so upon my return. Here, I would desire to remark what I have previously referred to in one of my reports—viz, the necessity for some steps being taken by the Government to clear the unoccupied country outside the leaseholds of these ru-s. On fOI sides complaints on this score are

made. I respectfully submit these complaints are not without reason. It is not yet too late to commence poisoning on this country, high though it he, and it must bo apparent to anyone that unless the work is carried on simultaneously it cannot be done with such good effect, as the large number of men employed on tho leasehold country are to a considerable extent bound to drive the pest on to the unoccupied Crown lands. Active operations in poisoning are also being carried on at Langridgc, Upcat and Glenlea. I find that poisoning has boon carried on in tho Middlehurst during the whole of last month, and the work when I passed was on the eve of completion.”