MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 68, 16 February 1935, Page 10

MANAWATU RABBIT BOARD.

monthly meeting. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FOXION, Feb. 15. The monthly meeting of the Manawatu Rabbit Board was held oil TliursUay, being presided over by Mr B. G. Gowei (chairman). Also present were Messrs 1. A. Grammar, R. H. Denize, and W. E. Barber. An apology for was received from Mr J. r. MeKelvic. The Department of Agriculture wrote notifying that the election of trustees would take place on May 8 this year. Mr Rangiheuea was appointed returning officer. The secretary reported that out of £2BB rates struck approximately £66 was outstanding to date. Accounts amounting to £94 11s 9d were passed for payment. The inspector (Mr D. R. Barron) reported: I have been engaged in general inspection work, chiefly in regard to the clearing of ragwort from properties in the board’s area. Notices wero sent to all owners of property on which this plant was found and with three exceptions it was found on subsequent inspections that the ragwort had been cleared.. In the three defaulting cases informations havo been laid against the land owners for failing to clear the ragwort as requested. Owing to the very dry weather the work of fumigation of burrows has been hold back, although it has been found quite satisfactory in a number of cases inspected. The men employed under No. 11 scheme completed fumigation at the end of the month and are now engaged in phosphorised pollard poisoning. It has been found that the work of pollard poisoning is not being carried out on a number of properties On those already done results huvo been very good, and defaulting owners will bo duly notified to carry out the necescary work without delay so that it can bo as general as possible. This poisoning is most important, following the successive dry seasons we havo experienced. Hie lupin caterpillar lias now spread to all parts of the board’s area, and by present appearances there should be much less of this weed to deal with tin the future, provided the grub keeps its attention to tho lupin. Reports have reached mo that it is attacking the ragwort, but this cannot bo vouched for. During the coming months a strict watch will be kept over any further ragwort which may make its appearance. Members took a very serious view of the spread of ragwort in this district and the action of the department in the stand it, has taken to combat tho menace in tho Ilorowhenua County was noted with satisfaction. A member who had made a careful investigation of the position stated that tho infestation of cortain areas in file Ilorowhenua district was as bad as any ragwort country m the North Island. The board expressed itself as fully seized with tho importance of controlling the spread of this weed and endorsed' a recommendation made at the previous moeting that its inspector take the necessary action to bring prosecutions against defaulters, iu tlio Manawatu district.