RABBITS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17787, 20 November 1919, Page 10 (Supplement)

RABBITS.

BIG SOURCE OF REVENUE

HARVEST FOR TRAPPERS

LARGE EXPORT FROM

DUNEDIN

Much controversy has been raised over the rabbit industry. Against the consideration of the revenue which it brings into the country has to be placed that of the money lost on account of the destruction of grass that would otherwise have been available for sheep-feeding purposes. The fact »remains that rabbits have been increasing in numbers. On the basis of this year's shipments from Dunedin it is estimated that something like 15,000,000 rabbits must have been caught during the past season.

One reason for so many skins having been shipped is that the frozen rabbit trade has been almost at a standstill owing to the impossibility of getting insulated space. Roughly speaking, about 200,000 cases, each containing 24 frozen rabbits, are shipped from Otago and Southland annually. The trapper does most of his work m the winter months, when farm work is at its slackest, and therefore- 1 the industry does not create a shortage of farm labour, the rabbiters in the majority of instances being available for harvesting and other farm work during the summer months. Many methods have been tried in order to exterminate the rabbit, but, as it is a prolific breeder and has obtained a footing in rough, rocky, and sparsely-populated country, it is practically impossible to clear it out. In the circumstances, present energies are being directed to an attempt to keep the number within reasonable limits.

The Government officials principally confine their attention to an effort to poison the rabbits, but in no instance can they point to any large tract of country which they have cleared. Barnscleugh Estate, at Clyde, was a costly experiment on their part. FROZEN RABBIT INDUSTRY. INTRODUCTION OF CANNING WORKS. The export trade in frozen and tinned rabbits has been marked by rapid growth during the last few years. Immediately the rabbits are killed they are bled by the trapper. They are then arranged in pairs, and after being properly paunched are allowed to cool and "set.". In the meantime they are covered with'. scrim arranged in the form of a bolster cover, which keeps them from contact with flies and dust. They are then hung on sticks and removed by carts or motor vehicles to specially fitted railway trucks or carrying crates. On arrival at the freezing works they are carefully graded according to weight and condition, and it is worthy of note that the rabbits exported from New Zealand are considered superior to those shipped from any other country. During the war the export of frozen rabbits was almost wholly eliminated and carcases were hoJd in store for practically two years, with the result that a large quantity had finally to be carried out to sea and sunk.

Owing to the shortage of insulated space the tinned rabbit industry developed very rapidly, and whereas there was only a small number of rabbits tinned before the war the figures have now increased largely. Canning works have been established at Waipiata, Alexandra, Cromwell, Woodlands, Winton, and Burnside, and of these works the main output consists of rabbits. Tinned rabbits were selling as low as 6s prior to the war. They touched 37s 6d per dozen about 18 months ago, and are at present realising about 19s per dozen in London.

The rabbits are sent in to the works by the trappers by the same method as that adopted when they are being sent to the freezer. They are skinned cleanly. Any particles of entrails or meat unsuitable for canning is removed, and the carcases are then placed in brine, which whitens the flesh and gives it that piquant flavour for which the New Zealand rabbit is famous. The carcases, when removed from the brine or pickle, are packed neatly in tins, placed into a retort on trays, and thoroughly cooked, the tins being hermetically sealed while the contents are at boiling point.. The tins are lacquered, packed in boxes, and are then ready for marketing. Each tin contains 21b of meat. In the case of Central Otago rabbits this means practically one rabbit to the tin. TRADE IN RABBITSKINS. The skins are thoroughly fatted and properly stretched on wires and hung on racks to dry. They are then classed and baled and sent either to the local or foreign market. The rabbitskin industry differs from the frozen and tinned rabbit trade in that all the meat, amounting to thousands of tons of good food, is wasted. Tlie trapper, with his traps, dogs, and tent, is a well-knpwn figure in the rough places of Central Otago. He has a free, open life, and this year has been making up to £75 per week, as skins in some instances exceeded the high price of £l2 per 100 skins. As the average trapper can secure roughly 100 rabbits per day, it can readily be seen that he is on a "good wicket." He has no rent, rates, taxes, or other worries.

At a low estimate Otago must have netted about £750,000 on account of the rabbitskin industry this year. On top of this, of course, there has been a large amount paid for tinned rabbits.