Rabbit Control in the Manawatu

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7192, 26 June 1933, Page 4

Rabbit Control in the Manawatu

SATISFACTORY RESULTS FROM SUBSIDISED SCHEME The monthly meeting of tho Manawatu Rabbit Board was held at Foxton on Thursday afternoon and was presided over by the chairman (Mr B. G. Gower). The board’s inspector (Mr D. R. Barron), reporting on workcarried out sineo tho last meeting, stated that his inspection work iad been directed more especially to the stryelmined carrot poisoning operations at present being carried out under the No. 11 unemployment scheme. Work iu this connection had gone on without interruption, and the early start made had enabled a large part of the area to bo got over before a break iu the weather occurred. Word had been received from the Unemployment Board a month ago that all contracts were to he terminated immediately, owing to the increased valuo of rabbit skins, but when tho position as regards skins and the contracts entered into with farmers in tho board area was pointed out to the Unemployment Board, permission was given to proceed with the scheme until Juno 30, when the position was to be again reviewed. “Results so far,” he said, “prove how necessary it is for poisoning work to be carried out on a systematic basis, and by experienced men, whoso work was most satisfactory. He further stated that poisoning had also begun on tho forestry reserve at Tangimoana, and when -this block was completed tho areas in the Kangitikei riverbed lands would bo strychnine poisoned. A resolution moved by Mr B. Grant (Palmerston North) and seconded by the chairman, was carried, to the effect that tho inspector be instructed to furnish a supplementary and comprehensive report on tho boards ’ programme of works, both current and future. It was felt that if farmers were able to anticipate the board’s requirements much greater advantages would result.

Discussing tho question of ragwort, Mr Raikes said . that although the Mnnawatu district was fairly clear of this weed at the present time, every possible effort should be made by the hoard to see that no spread of the weed occurred. Tho secretary (Mr It. Rangiheuca) presented the following financial statement covering the period April 1 to June 20:—-Receipts: Credit balance os at .1/4/33, £24 7s Gd; current rates, £32 •Is 9d; arrears, £3 3s. 9d;' penalties, 7s •Id; Government subsidy, £30.1. 19s Id; poisons sold, £8 3s lid; unemployment wages, £3O 19s Gd; miscellaneous, £llos Sdf total, £402 lGs Gd. Payments: Salaries, £64; office expenses, £4. Os Gd; poisons bought, £l2 l<s sd; travelling expenses, £l6 13s 4d; inspector's postages, etc., £2 10s; unemployment wages, £34 10s; miscellaneous, £J 2s 10G; credit balance as at 20/G/33, £2G/ 2s sd; total, £402 lGs Gd.