RAVAGES OF RABBITS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2338, 7 January 1926, Page 10

RAVAGES OF RABBITS

QUESTION OF TRAPPING. Speaking recently of the difficulty of combatting rabbits, and their presence in large numbers of some parts of' the district, a Kiwitahi farmer stated *to a Morrinsville “Star” reporter that several years ago h e carried out a poisoning campaign with such success that the rabbit population was practically; exterminated. He left his farm for a few years and during that time the rabbits gained a strong hold onc e more. In order to reduce their numbers, rabbit trappers were allowed to work the property, but it was this farmer’s contention that trappers did not do a great deal of good, as they killed only about 40 per cent, of the bunnies and did not return until the

numbers had increased sufficiently to warrant another visit. It was naturally not in tlio trappers’ interests to exterminate th e rabbits completely and tills farmer expressed the opinion that poisoning was the only effective way.

Questioned as to his opinion regarding the value of a rabbit board, the farmer did not doubt that such an organisation would be effective, but he considered that the rates would be too high, especially on a large holding.