THE RABBIT QUESTION IN SOUTH CANTERBURY.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8079, 18 September 1894, Page 1

THE RABBIT QUESTION IN SOUTH CANTERBURY.

Tho following further correspondence has beon handed to us for publication : Department of Agriculture. (Live Stock Branch.) Wellington, September Bth, 1894. I Sin, — I am directed by tho Hon. tho Minister for Agriculture to acknowledge i receipts of a series of resolutions, forwarded through you, passed at a meeting of settlors hold at Kurow on the 23rd ultimo to discuss the rabbit question. In reply I am to inform you that from reliable information I am convinced that several of tho statements are not quite in accordance with fact. In th« first resolution it is stated that the Inspectois caused serious loss last year amongst lambing ewes, by inspecting the ground at that particular season. Now, it is wellknown, that on several runs, on which tho lambing ewes were running, the work of destroying rabbits was so neglected during tho winter months, that the real cause of the loss was scarcity of feed, owing to tho excessive number of rabbits ; and, also, to several of the runs having been stocked with ewes f i eah to tho country. This latter was apparent, and anyone with tho slightest knowledge, as the country alougaido several of the fence lines clearly showed, where the ewes were lying and starved themselves in their endeavors to get back to their old pastures. The inspectors have instruction to do as little inspection during the lambing time as possible, and I have no reason to believe this instruction has been departed from. To comply with the resolution would practically mean the ruining of not only all those who now neglect the work, but also all those who adjoin, and are endeavoring to keep the pest in check. The second resolution is a matter on which there is considerable diversity of opinion, but it is generally admitted that Inspectors must possess considerable powers to enable them to properly enforce the provisions of tho Act. It h not proposed to introduce any amendments to the Act this session. An regards tho liberation of stoats and weasels 1 am glad to be able to say that satisfactory accounts are being received from other districts of tho good these animah arc doing, and the question of a fui ther importation will rcceivo every consideration. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, John D. Ritchie. W. J. Steward, M.H.R., Wellington.

Wellington, September I.3th, 1894. 11. R. Parker, Esq., De«ir Sir, — I have to thank you for yours of 10th iost., and for your kind recognition of my efforts. You may depend upon my keeping the matter referred to in view, and I now enclose for the information of yourself and orhora interested the reply of the Department to a. letter from myself on the subject. I would suggest that you should forwdd thia correspondence to the Oaniaru papers for publication. Yourfl very frithfully, VV. J. Steward,