THE RABBIT TEST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2509, 16 April 1902, Page 16

THE RABBIT TEST.

Editorially, the Masterton Timoa refers to the rabbit pest as follows: — "The other day wo published a statement which emanated from the Rabbit department, to the effect that the ppst wacj diminishing. It may be at the present time less than it was last year — the department ought to know ; but we fear the check reported is but temporary. We believe it was in 1697 that the Government told our inspectors that for the future they were only to fire blank cartridges at settlers who failed to keep down their rabbits The result is that the rabbits are about 10 times as numerous as they were five years ago, when careless settlers were penaliped. The blaak cartridge businefe seems fairly popular, but it is idle to deny that under it rabbits increase and multiply, and will go c« increasing and multiplying. Millions of rabbits now roaming the country owe their existence either to the humano desire of the Government to spare their lives, or to the equally humane desire of the Government to protect culpable settlers from punishment." That the statements re&pectiug the increase are misleading is vouched for by several reliable settlers who are in a position to express a competent opinion en the matter. The rabbit pest at the present time is not nearly so serious as it was last year ; but, as a matter of fact, it is less nume-rous than for several years past. It is regrettable that such fallacious and damaging fctatemonta should be circulated when it is so culpably contrary to facts. As regards the "blank cartridge" business, the writer of the above is evidently misinformed, and, therefore, barking up J iho wrong tree. From what I have learnt, there has been no necessity for the inspectors to take out prosecutions. The settlers have performed the required work entirely by themselves, excepting one or two who ha\e been, somewhat reluctant to carry out the directions of the inspector when first remonstrated with. Previously I think I have adduced sufficient evidence to convincingly indicate that rabbits are not on the increase in the Wairarapa — far from it, — and that the present state of the pest is most satisfactory.