The Rabbit Question. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2010, 1 September 1892, Page 7

The Rabbit Question. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— l * have read several letters in your columns lately-concerning the rabbit question, and so far as I am able to judge, the general opinion is that rabbits ought to be done away with. If you will allow me space in your columns t'shall point out a few reasons why the rabbits do not 'decrease. The rabbiter, like all working men, has his grievances, and I hope that you will agree with me that some of them are.

real. In the first place, let us take the trappers and men who dig out, ferret, &c. • These men are generally paid by the skin-Id for small and 2d Sen th°o »Tta^ a ™MSS2ffi fc « 4t0 %.& .- takes place (mind, sir, I do not say all stations ' are the same, but there aro many who,nct_thus) : " How many skins have you?"— " Five hundreff — largeand 300 small," orwhatevernumber itmaybe. Then the fun commences. You sec your skins being thrown into heaps and you wait patiently. Then this is the result : " I can't pay you for "\hose small skins, I can only allow. you Id for those — they are not big enough,", <&c, <fee. — till yd* wonder whether he intends giving you any fulWice skins at all, and whether you , will bo able -fco pay your tucker bill. Now-for the-man who employes dogs, horses, &o. This man has all thesis' of the others, and one crowning injustice in t}* shape of 5s per head tax on his' dogs. Now, sir> A evorybody says "to tho wall "with bunny at'ttay pnee," and yet the man who' doea more to k]\\ the rabbits than all the poison, traps, and fewets put together is taxed double aa much as a sVepherd or settler. The rabßiter's life is a hard None, and he should be allowed to earn good wage\ and could doso if he received fair treatment, aftj until he does the rabbits will not decrease. If V>u want to get.rid of bunny, give those men whsj, are engaged in the occupation fair wages, a reduced dog tax, and fair play with the skins, then yo\ will sco .the youngsters killed so that in time tnVe will be no old ones. — I am, &c, \ R.vbbiter. Mnniototo, August 19. Pish ttuaiV " TO THE EDITOR^ Sib, — From the attached VqilSwill observe that people are now beginning, to realise the fact that there is nothing useless in nature's products. The most" offensive material— even the dirt on the boy's face or hands— "is, as Lord Paitnerston said, useful matter out pf place.— I am, &c, ' \\ " Dunedin, August 24. J. Forsyth. Richmond, August 2(5, 1832. Dear Sir,— l was highly interested in your article of the 21st inst. in the Otago Witness ye " Fish Guano." I think it could bo turned to good account in the Australian colonies, and, seeing tho waste that is carried on from day to day, it would bo a saving and a boon to tho country in the shape of a manure, and a blessing to the town in cleanliness. " As you have so kindly offered to supply a copy of the patent to anyone interested, I would be greatly obliged if you will send me one. — Yours respectfully, Duncan Nicolson. Mr James Forsyth, Dunedin. [This is a subject which might fairly engage tho attention of the Committee on Industries, which has recently been set up in the House of Representatives.— Ed. O.W.]