RABBIT PEST

Northern Advocate, 12 May 1934, Page 3

RABBIT PEST

SUGGESTED BOARD. NOT REQUIRED AT PRESENT. Rabbits having been seen occasionally in the districts around Kaitaia, the Farmers’ Union wrote to the Minister of Agriculture asking for informal ion with regard to the formation of a Rabbit P.oard. At its meeting on Wednesday night, the union had before it a letter in which it was stated that in order to form a Rabbit Board, a majority vote, certified by the county clerk, must first be obtained over the area in which it was proposed to form a board. A rate could be levied of not more than 1-1 Od in the acre. This would carry a Government subsidy of £1 for £l, It was better, the loiter slated, to act now, Ilian 1o wait till rabbits had gained a hold in the district. The inspector expected to lie in Kaitaia shortly, when, he would be pleased to meet members of the branch.-

The chairman (Mr Houston)’ said that Mr Stewart, wlm suggested the formation of a Rabbit Board, was absent. The post was more in Mr Stewart’s district than any other. Mr \V. .Johnson said that about 3 a.m. on Monday he had seen throe rabbits on the Peria Bill over a distance of about It miles. The place was Just on the Kaitaia side of Oruaiti. “Not Justified.” Mr C. B. Miehie said his dogs had got three during the past six months or so. A short time ago he had caught a young one, and rabbits had, he believed, been seen in the Church Road district, but he did not think there was anything to justify putting on men to kill rabbits at present. A member said that one had been seen a I Dimple Crossing, bul not for some time. The president said hares were fairly plentiful, but the damage they did was nothing compared with that done by rabbits. He doubted if the ratepayers would agree to l-10d increase in rates. When the could not pay what they were asked to pay now, how were they going to pay more? The information given would be useful, but they did not want to establish a Rabbit Board prematurely.

One speaker said rabbits were quite plentiful at the head of Victoria Valley. The chairman: “We will not be able to convince the people at present that it is necessary to impose a rate.’’ Air Michie said that Mr Jones, president of the sub-provincial executive, thought that the increase was due to a series of dry seasons, and that a recurrence of Hoods would drive the rabbits out. Mr A. (!. Bell: “1 have been informed that they will live in any class of count ry.’’ It was decided to leave matters as they stand.