KIWITEA RABBIT BOARD

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3497, 5 November 1926, Page 2

KIWITEA RABBIT BOARD

The monthly meeting o£ the above board was held at Kimboiton yesterday.' There ’were present: Trustees W. Li. Grice, W. Hair, A. Brown, E. A. Palmer, F. G. Kioger and T. O. Woods. The secretary took the chair and called for nominations for the office of chairman rendered vacant by tho death of Trustee A. P. Francis. On tho motion of Trustees Kieger and Wood, Trustee Grico was appointed chairman for tho remainder of the term of office. In taking tho chair, Trustee Grico thanked tho board for electing him as their chairman, but said that it was with deep regret that circumsta.nccs warranted such a step having to be taken. Tho chairman then made feeling reference to the death of tho late chairman and eulogised the groat work he had done in the interests of tho communty as a whole. The chairman’s views were supported by Trustees Kieger, Wood and the secretary. Tho following resolution, moved by tho chairman and seconded by Trustee Hair, was carried in silence: “That this board deeply regrets tho passing of the late chairman (Trustee A. P. Francis), and deplores the loss of one whoso activities have been whole-heartedly in the interests of the ratepayers and residents of this and surrounding districts, and that a letter be forwarded to his widow and family expressing the board's very deep sympathy in the great loss they have sustained,” The chairman welcomed Trustee Palmer to tho board.

The report of tho Chief Inspector was read and adopted. Mr W. T. Pratt waited upon the board with reference to tho alleged condition of his property so far as It refers to rabbits, and taking exception to certain statements contained in a letter from tho assistant inspector at Ruahino. Mr Pratt detailed the work of rabbit destruction carried out on his property over a stated period. Mr Pratt, after replying to a number of questions, thanked the board and then withdrew.

After considering the matter it was proposed by Trustee Palmer, seconded by Trustee Kieger: “That the board realises that Mr Pratt has done a great deal of work in the way of destroying rabbits on his property, but ns there are still rabbits on the property the board endorses the inspector’s action in drawing Mr Pratt’s attention to tho fact. Any matter contained in the letter not approved by tho board will bo dealt with.” Accounts amounting to £99 16s wore passed for payment. The Chief Inspector’s report for tho month of October was as follows:

‘‘My assistant at Ruahine reports that in his area dogging, shooting, and digging out ’ have been the methods employed during the past month, and in most cases satisfactory results have boon obtained, and it only requires the- settlers to work hand in hand with tho inspector and continue the above methods for the next few months to show very good results this season.

“My assistant at Rewa reports that ho finished his first inspection of his area in the early part of the month and has now got well started on his round again. ' He states that on his second inspection ho finds signs of a gradual improvement -with a few exceptions, and he intends to try and get these others started working also, as from now until Christmas time is the most critical period of tho year. “In my own area most of the work done last month consisted of digging, dogging and fumigating, and a few settlers have done some poisoning. Tho results were not too good. However, it is always a few less. Although I notice a slight increase in most parts of the area, still I do not think there are nearly so many young rabbits to he seen as there wero this time last year, and if this state of affairs continues for the next couple of months there should not be nearly so many of the pest to deal with next year, hut at the same time it behoves all settlers to keep at the pest and neglect no chance whatever to kill a rabbit or destroy their burrows and cover, because as I have previously stated, (hero are still far more rabbits on the farms than ihe majority of tho owners realise. At tho same time I’ may say that your inspectors do not intend to tolerate any neglect of duty by farmers in this respect, and my advice to them is to got busy on the rabbits and keep busy, and if they cannot find the necessary time themselves, then should should employ permanent practical rabhiters, a method which it properly worked out would probably prove tho cheapest in the end.”