RABBIT DESTRUCTION

Northern Advocate, 18 April 1932, Page 7

RABBIT DESTRUCTION

. HELP FROM FARMERS

USE OF POISON,

An appeal to farmers to assist the good work being done by the .Whangarei Acclimatisation Society was made by the president, Mr J. W. Parkin, at the annual meeting on Saturday night. In his annual report Mr Parkin noted with regret that- many birds had been poisoned at Maunu through settlers laying poisoned pollard for rabbits. He recommended settlers poison rabbits with jam, instead of pollard, as jam is equally effective and will not be eaten by pheasants. j

“I would like to impress on farmers and sportsmen, in all districts, - ■ continued Mr Parkin, "the absolute necessity of killing off rabbits, otherwise pheasant shootnig will soon be finished.

. “Farmers could help the society a great deal by having surplus kittens and cats destroyed. From the many reports received from the Bird Protection Society, it is apparent that cats have been responsible for enormous losses in our native bird life in previous years, while it may be that the farmer will yet have to depend upon the native birds to destroy insect life to enable him to carry on the farming of his land. “The Agricultural Department is still taking an active part in destroying rabbits in the district. If farmers wish to have birds on their farms, it is essential that they keep the rabbits down. I have found many birds poisoned with pollard. . “It may be practicable for the unemployment committees to put men on; to trap rabbits for the market, insVead of allowing the rabbits to be destroyed by poison.".