THE RABBIT DANGER.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11120, 7 November 1907, Page 4

THE RABBIT DANGER.

Hitherto we have lightly regarded the fears of an invasion of. rabbits into this di.strict, and we do not think any cause has yet arisen to cause any serious apprehension m the minds of our settlers that tho dreaded pest will find an entry into this region. At tho same time it is wise to be vigilant, and the agitation that has arisen from time to time, if it succeeds m stirring up the authorities responsible to greater measures of precaution, will havo been well worth the while. Until now attention hag been principally directed to the danger of encroachment of rabbits from Hawke's Bay and "Wairoa counties. Mention has been made of traces of the pest having been found m, the neighborhood of Opotiki, but we fancy not much is to be feared from that direction. Enemies, . however, frequently take the most unexpected routes, and we are indebted to Mr H. Hill, Inspector of Schools, for the suggestion that if. '.this district is to be guarded against the ray- ; ages of tliis most destructive pestj we should keep our eyes turned steadfastly "m a westerly direction. Mr Hill was recently at Taupo, and he informs us that he found the rabbits scattered across tlie vast plains of that district not by the score .but by the thousands, they appeared to be advancing northwards towards Galatea, and it 1 is here ;that Air Hil| regards the danger, to this district. The obvious route* for them to take is across the Huiaroa range into the Hangaroa Valley, coming across) the country at Mangapohatu where Rua is now located. All, the inspectors, mMr Hill's opinion, should go there, and lay plans to stop the advance of bunny. •. ; Asked whet ther the intervenincf bu_.h would not prove an effectual barrier, Mr Hill stated * that the rabbit would follow European tracks ; wherever ai track was formed the ra-bbit would come down* it.. He had seen this years ago on the Ruahine,: and predicted that the invasion of .Hawke's Bay would take place over. those mountains, and it liad come to pass.* He .was most emphatic that the approaches to the j head pf the fertile Hang-sirda Valley and Tahora ■* country from the- direction'; of Taupo should be, guarded. Mr Hill, who has seen a good deal of rabbit-infested countiy m New Zealand, declares that he has . never seen more rabbits; anywhere titan,. -lie saw recently on the Taupo Plains. Fortunately, they are a good distance 1 off ; as yet, : but the intervening < country ;is ibeiiig gradually ; opened up, ; arid over it there is an, increasing stream of < travel, which may, , as Mr Hill points but, open the Avay 'to the pest. ,We trust m the interests of this district the '• warning swill ; not. be allowed to go unheeded. The Agri cultural Department should be requested; to .send inspectom into the Raingaroa district to- confirm Mr Hill's observations, .. arid to decide what steps it is necessary should be taken.:.';