MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 51, 27 January 1933, Page 12

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD

iMONTHLY MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXTON, Jan. 26. The monthly meeting of the Manawatu Rabbit Board was held this afternoon, being presided over by Trustee B. G. Gower (chairman). Also present were Trustees F. C. Raikes, J. F. McKclvie, T. A. Grammar, A. Grant and W. E. Barber. The secretary of the North Island Rabbit Boards’ Association wrote stating that the executive was much concerned as to tho possibility of the subsidy to rabbit boards being reduced by the Government and probably withdrawn altogether at a later date. It was intimated that the association had boon in communication with the Minister for Agriculture as well as other Ministers in regard to the matter, and while the Minister for Agriculture’s reply had been somewhat reassuring, the association was desirous of presenting as strong a case as possible against any further reduction. It was asked that the board forward details of the rates struck since its inception, adding that it had been found that most of the boards had' considerably reduced their rates from year to year, which had meant a consequent drop _in subsidy payable- by tho Government, which was strong pnoof that rabbit boards wore being run on sound economical lines. It was decided to forward (he particulars requested which showed that the Manawatu Rabbit Board had levied rates as follows: Year 1924, area 85,905 acres, rate 2d per acre; 1925, 85,905, lid; 1926, 85,499, Id; 1927, 85,317, 3d; 1928, 84,546, id; 1929, 84.607. Jd: 1930, 84.236, 3d: 1931, 83,409 , 3d; 1932, 83,409, 3d; 1933, 83,609, Id. The inspector reported, inter alia: —A circular for a phosphorised pollard poisoning has been sent out to some sixty odd farmers in the beard’s area on whose property cover exists. Tho date of the 22nd inst. was fixed for this work to be begun, so that it could bo as genera! and. simultaneous as possible. From this period on I will follow up this circular with a personal inspection to sec that the work has boon carried out. Farmers have , been kept busy for a very protracted period this year with haymaking, but this is now practically over/and it will.be necessary for them to tako greater pains than they have taken lately to cope with the post. Thero is a certain slackness apparent at present in regard to rabbit destruction and I would impress upon farmers the necessity for consistent work in this direction. Tho spraying of lupin carried'out tn November was not successful from an experimental piont of view and a further spraying was carried out at tho beginning of this month and so far results seem to bo perfectly satisfactory. Special attention has been paid during the month to inspections of properties in regard to ragwort, and this weed has boon found on the great majority of properties. It seems 'an extraordinary thing that some farmers despito warnings in tno daily papers, lectures, etc., disregard letters and advice sent them after an inspection of their property when ragwort has been in evidence. No excuse can bo found for not clearing this weed when informed of the fact, as so far as this district is concerned very little effort is needed to keep the weed under control. In several cases prospecutions will follow, unless the cloaring of this weed is carried out more expeditiously.