Rabbit Destruction In Hawke's Bay

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 239, 9 October 1936, Page 2

Rabbit Destruction In Hawke's Bay

POSITION IN WOODVILLE DISTRICT.

At a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Eabbit Board on Wednesday a deputation from the Weber and Woodvillo Eabbit Association—the latter now inactive—was present to put forward certain proposals in tho organisation of rabbit destruction in their district before the board. The deputation consisted of Mr. W. Stewart (Weber) and Mr. J. C. Boulton (Woodvillc). “Weber has been trying to carry on, but, with the increased wages, it is impossible unless , the cost to members is raised, and then members will resign,” said Mr. Stewart.

Mr. Stewart then put forward tho following alternative suggestions:— 1. To Vest control in tho Weber County Council. 2. Severance from tho Hawke’s Bay Eabbit Board and the creation of a separato board. 3. The Hawke’s Bay Eabbit Board to take over tho association’s work, levy a rato and employ a rabbitcr to do tho work.

4. The Hawke's Bay Eabbit Board to levy a rate over the Weber area and hand over the money to the Weber Association to carry out tho work.

Woodville Proposes Severance. Mr. J. C. Boulton, speaking on behalf of the Woodvillc settlers, proposed severance from the Hawke's Bay Eabbit Board aud enabling the Wooodville Cunty Council to take over the work. “I am not in favour of breaking-up the Hawke’s Bay Eabbit Board district,” ho added. “The board has been a success in tho past 50 years, aud the system we have worked on has been a fair one. I fail to sec how two small boards could do tho job more cheaply than one big board. I do not think tho Department of Agriculture would favour tho splitting-up of the Hawke’s Bay Board’s area.” Mr. Stewart emphasised that ,the' Weber Association was not asking for help. “We are prepared to pay for our own work; but our hands arc tied, as we cannot levy a compulsory rate,” he pointed out. “All we ask 1b to be allowed to carry out the work of rabbit inspection and destruction ourselves and be empowered to levy a rate.” Mr. It. Wright pointed out that, unless the Hawke’s Bay Eabbit Board was agreeable, no separate boards could be formed in its area. Mr. (Stewart then asked that the board consider levying a special rate in tho Weber district, and that this money be handed over to the Weber Association to carry out .tho work. Majority Petition .Needed.

“I can see no objection to that proposal,” said Mr. Wright, “if a majority of the ratepayers in the Weber district sign a petition and ask for this action, there can be objection.” “We have the same difficulty with every rabbit association,” remarked M’r. B. Averili. “There needs to bo some compulsion to make every ratepayer como into the work.”

Mr. Stewart pointed out that if all the ratepayers in the Weber area wore in tho Wooer Eabbit Association, there would bo no necessity to increase the cost an acre for rabbit destruction.

Mr. Wright said that several rabbit boards employed their own rabbitcr, and did their own rabbiting. There was no objection to rabbit boards carrying out this work. If tho Weber settlers ivere prepared to pay an extra rate, then the board should go ahead with the scheme.

Other, members agreed that this was a suitable proposal and the chairman commented that the idea of a special rate had never been advanced in the past. “Why should not the whole of Hawke’s Bay bo divided into rabbitdestruction areas and similarly treated! -Tho whole question should be investigated,” said Mr. Greenwood. Air. Grosso then suggested that the Weber Association should provide tho liawkc’s Bay Rabbit Board with details so that tho board could sco whom it would have to rate. First, however, it would be necessary to kavo a petition from the majority of tho rate-

payers asking that this action be taken.

The secretary, Mr. Bruce Kelly, pointed out that no change could bo made until next April, as the rate demands for this year had all gone out. “11l this proposal is followed up in other parts of tho district, it will mean that the Hawke’s Bay Eabbit Board will bo a rabbit-killing, as well as inspecting board,” said Mr. Greenwood.