RABBITS IN FIJI

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21469, 18 April 1933, Page 10

RABBITS IN FIJI

CONSIGNMENT DESTROYED SHIPMENT FROM AUCKLAND [from our own correspondent] SUVA, April 10 Considerable public indignation was expressed by local residents on Saturday when it was learned that several rabbits had been brought into the colony from Auckland by a resident, who returned from a holiday to New Zealand by the Aorangi. Fuel was added to the fire when it was rumoured that permission to bring the rabbits in was given by an officer of the Department "of Agriculture. To-day, however, it was learned that permission had been given to import a number of Chinchilla rabbits, and that the importer had taken it on himself to bring several of the common grey variety and some crossbreds; in fact, the consignment included only one genuine Chinchilla. When the rabbits were placed in quarantine and this was discovered the department took immediate steps to have them destroyed. The owner consented to the destruction of the single Chinchilla also, and considerable relief has been expressed that the Government took such a firm stand. It is pointed out that if rabbits wore liberated in the colony they would soon become a serious menaco to the sugar crop.