THE BABBIT NUISANCE. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 6114, 14 September 1881, Page 3

THE BABBIT NUISANCE. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,—Reports of rabbits still spreading in different directions prompt another letter on the subject of the only permanent cure o( the evil, and the best means of obtaining it. A list of the many animo.l3 which would help to destroy the rabbit would flll more space than you have to spare, but amoDg those which could most easily be obtained and would best serve the purpose, the common stoat, perhaps, stands first. It may not be commonly known that its winter dress ia the highly-prized ermine. It would be equally at home on the plains and on the mountains, and whenever the cold was sufllciently severe in winter, would yield to the trapper of after-times its exceedingly valuable fur. Like most of its uongeuera, it is a great tree-climber, and would do its share towards abating the small-bird nuisance.

Weasels might also be obtained, and one advantage in their case would be that they are more prolific than moat animals ol the kind; they also revel in blood, aud destroy far more than they can consume. The polecat is objectionable for some reasons, but is probably already here. Animals of the kind, sulllciently hardy to stand our winter, could be bred by importing a few pure polecats and crossing with the common brown ferret; but unfortunately their fur would not be very valuable. The hedgehog might be introduced as an experiment : it is not only a devourer of lizards and insects, but would most likely take up its abode in the rabbit holes, and live on tho occupants ; it abounds in England, and being a hybernating animal would, perhaps, not require much food un tho way out, If shipped at the time of its hybernation. A cool corner might bo arranged for, near the refrigerating apparatus of one of the Orient steamers ; for whilo extreme cold would certainly kill tho animal, a low temperature would keep it in health, and, perhaps, partially torpid. A few intended remarks on the sable and other furbearers must, for want o[ space, await another opportunity. To give some idea of the estimation in which the evil i, held at Hawku's Bay, it. may bo mentioned that the settlers ihere are about to spend £10,000 in placing wire-nettinir along their southern boundary to keep back the Bwarmiiig rabbits of Wellington Province, aud consider that they will bo amply repaid if they only succeed in bhutting out their enemies for a few years; that an invasion such as the Wairarupa suffers from would involve an annual loss of £260,000; and that the great district north of Xapier would be abandoned. Wo need not, however, go 80 far for figures, if we could only find anyone daring enough to state our own annual loss, present aud prospective. Arguments are not wanting to show tho urgent need of immediate action—indeed it is wasting time and your valuable space to write further in that direction. The matter ought to bo taken up by the Acclimatisation Society ; it has done good service in stocking our rivers and streams, and why it should hesitato when it has the power of doing still greater service one cannot understand. In Otago up to tho present time acclimatisation has been carried on in the interest of tho sportsman, but it is now full time to take a new departure, and instead of senseless grumbling at a iiuinbor of gentlemen who havo acted up to their couvictions, all who are interested in acclimatisation from the useful point of view should become members or this society, and then this rabbit question, mid another or two of great importance, would receive the attention they merit. Private subscriptions would be liberal, and seeing how largely the Colonial estate is concerned, the Government would be justified in voting something Imucls jitiu. This is not a thing to be de^lt with in a niggardly spirit, but animals of tho kind indicated should bu liberated all over the country, not in hundreds, but thousands; indeed the numbers shou d only be limited by the possibility of procuring them. Membership of tho Acclimatisation Society may ho attained by the annual payment v! £1 on the Unit day of February, and unless action is taken sooner, another reminder from the writer will be forthcoming as that date approaches.—l am, ic. J. C. But'KLAND.