MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4404, 13 October 1934, Page 3

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING,

The monthly meeting of the Manawatu Rabbit Board was held in the Board’s office on Thursday afternoon, presided over by Trustee B. G. Gower (Chairman,). Also present were Trustees F. C. Raikes, W. E. Barber, T. A. Grammar, H. R. Denize and the secretary (Mr R. Rangiheuea).

The Inspector (Mr D R. Barron) was also in attendance. An apology for absence was received’ from Trustee J. F. McKelvie.

Correspondence was received fromj the Audit Department relative to the necessity for keeping a special book to give detailed particulars of the sale of poisons. The secretary reported that, lie had been able to arrange a book to meet the requirements of the Department at small cost, ’His action was approved in this connection.

A letter was received from Mr. B. Grant acknowledging the Board’s good wishes extended to him on the occasion of his transfer to Christchurch.

Accounts amounting to £63 18/9 were passed for payment. Trustee W. E. Barber expressed the opinion that rabbits were on the increase in the district. He had noticed the pest in all parts of the district. Trustee Grammar endorsed this view. The Inspector’, however, stated that compared with this time last year considerably less rabbits were being poisoned. He quoted figures to bear this out and said that compared with this time last year the district was much cleaner. Reference was made to the disease which had recently attacked rabbits in the Canterbury district with considerable mortality.

It was decided to write the Can - terbury Farmers’ Union asking for particulars.

It was decided to arrange a demonstration of the new flamethrowing weed eradicator at 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, October 25th. the demonstration to cover hlaekberry, gorse. lupin and broom, the location to he on the main road, half a mile north of the Motuiti railway station.

INSPECTOR’S REPORT. The Inspector (Mr D. R. Barron) reported as follows: — During .the past month I have been engaged in the general inspection of properties in the Board’s area, following up the notices and circulars sent out on the 4th August and in directing the carrying out of further strychnined carrot poisonings on a. numhex' of properties. Although late in the season, this work has been cpiite satisfactory and has been the means of further reducing the pest in portions of the “cover” areas. This work which is being done by men engaged under the No. 11 Unemployment scheme, is still being gone on with, but seasonal conditions will not allow of its being carried on with very much longer. The weather conditions during the month have been very suitable for strychnined carrot poisonings; on the contrary, however, it has not been so for fumigation of burrows owing to the amount of wind experienced. A certain amount of this work has been carried out more latterly, and with the wet soil conditions at present, excellent results have been obtained. I circularised a number of ratepayers re obtaining the services of men under the No. 11 scheme for this work at the low wage of 4/- per day per man; and would strongly recommend farmers to carry out this most important work at this time of the year in order to cheek breeding as much as possible. There is no excuse at present for this work not being done. Further dealing of noxious weeds is being carried out on a number of properties and several farmers are talking advantage of No. 4B scheme, which is of veiy great benefit to the fanner. Several owners have been interviewed in regard to ragwort, which is making an early showing in odd places at present. The strychnine poisoning in the Rangitikei river bed is now completed. During the coming month 1 shall be engaged in general inspection work and in supervising the carrying out of the No. 11 scheme work.