RABBITS AS SWIMMERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17950, 30 November 1932, Page 6

RABBITS AS SWIMMERS

POSITION AT MOHAEA

THE RIVER A SAFEGUARD

The subject of whether rabbits swim the Afohaka River from the southern side to the East Coast Rabbit Board’s area lias often been discussed, but no unanimous opinion has been expressed by those in a position to judge. An Australian report states that in some parts of New South Wales, farmers are having trouble clearing the country, and it has been only due to the dry spell and to the poisoning of watering places that the numbers have been greatly reduced. Rabbits are being found dead in thousands. One of the most interesting features in this report so far as this district’s conditions are concerned is that rabbits were observed swimming a river of 30 to 40 yards vice. The Afohaka River is both fairly swift and cold, and many believe that these two facts would deter rabbits from swimming across to clean country. Rabbits have been observed in the board’s area near the southern boundary, but it is generally accepted that these have come from infested country higher up the valley. The rabbit gate at the Afohaka i ridge and the nature of the river arcs believed to lie sufficient safeguards against a migration in the lower reaches. While the evidence is inconclusive, however, it is sufficient to state, that no serious trouble is experienced in keeping tbe pest in check at the southern end of the district.