MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1932, Page 2

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Dec. 16.

At the monthly meeting of the Manawntu Rabbit Board there were present Trustees B. G. Gower (chairman), J. F. McKelvie, A. Grant, W. E. Barber, T. A. Grammar and F. C. Raikes. Prior to the commencement of business the chairman extended a welcome to Trustee Grant and expressed pleasure at the recovery ho had made from his recent illness.

The inspector reported he had instructed the trapper to carry out operations on the Foxton Harbour Board's property at the beach. Tho work was not a success, however, owing to the fact that 20 traps wore stolen during tho first two days. It was found impossible to carry on and he was removed to Mr Puklowski’s property. The tally for four week’s trapping was 191 rabbits. Since 'starting operations the trapper had lost 60 traps in all. The board took a serious view of the theft of traps and it was decided to _ place the matter in the hands of the police. The inspector reported that prickly lettuce had made its appearance this year on the railway reserve on the Foxton-Hinm-tangi highway. The inspector also reported a decrease in ragwort in the district. The application of a little dry sodium chlorate to this weed had been proved quite effective and a satisfactory means of dealing with scattered plants. Accounts amounting to £59 6s 8d were passed for payment. The inspector reported as follows: “I have been engaged in tho general inspection of properties both in regard to rabbit destruction and the clearing of noxious woods. All owners of property who had been requested to carry out further necessary work have been found to have carried out tho work. The high winds experienced during the month have delayed fumigation of burrows to a certain extent, and a certain amount of work both as regards fumigation and the clearing of weeds has been held up through the early haymaking and stacking of enislage. Most of this work will bo completed bv Christmas and the clearer paddocks will help the work of fumigation. Phosphorised pollard has been laid on an area in one portion of the district with very good results, but on the majority of areas it will not be advisable to carry out this class of poisoning until the feed has died down. Ragwort has been found on a fair number of properties and the owners of all such properties have been written to, requiring immediate steps to be taken for tho clearing of this weed. Tho steps taken in connection with ragwort last season have had some effect, as so fnr there does not appear to ho as great an amount in the area as there was last year. Prickly lettuce on the sides of the main road have been pulled, and one area of lupin sprayed, but it is yet too early to say just how successful this has been.