THE RABBIT PEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26659, 3 January 1948, Page 6

THE RABBIT PEST

Sir,—” Observer’s ” block for summer rabbiting of one mile wide by half a mile long is equal to 320' acres. At the very most this would give me 40 sets of my 175 traps and then I would have to start over again. Of course, I am omitting rocks, bluffs, and inaccessible places. There are many like “ Observer ” who believe that Mr and Mrs Bunny Just come along and poke their feet into all traps set. He then observes that he has 175 bunnies, observes good cheques and so on. but what he doesn’t observe is that 320 acres will not encourage the experienced and practical jnan away from good wages and home comforts.—l am, etc.. Worker.

Sir,—Your correspondent “ Observer ” is to be congratulated on drawing attention to the neglect of the rabbit pesi in Otago Central, but it is not necessary to go to the Central to see. neglect About 20 to 30 miles north of the city of Dunedin there is just as much neglect as in Central Otago. There is rabbit farming with tall gorse and scrub kept to provide cover for the pest until the high winter prices come along. The Royal Commission now sitting will no doubt have much to say about the: neglect of the pest which is ruining muchof our grazing land, while nothing is l being done to keep the pest in cheek. The Department of Agriculture has fallen down on the I°b and must be gingered up or else replaced by some other body. The catchments boards should also take up the rabbit pest question as. the damage is there for all to see.—l am, etc., Onlooker.