RABBIT CONTROL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19880, 6 March 1939, Page 13

RABBIT CONTROL

ANNUAL INSPECTION WAIROA DISTINCT "Fine weather permitted us to cover practicality the whole of the country where rabbits are likely to be found. Signs of the pest were few and far between, which 1 consider most satisfactory and a credit to the men working that area," said Mr. 11. A. Burgess, inspector, reporting to Saturdays meeting of the East Coast Rabbit Board on his annual visit to the Wairoa district. He made his inspection in company with Mr. T. R. England, the board's sub-inspector. Those present at the meeting were Mr. M. T. Tra fiord, chairman, C. G. Holdsworth, M. L. Holden and F. R. Bould, of the Department of Agriculture.

"Commencing my inspection at Putere on February 0," stated Mr. Burgess, "1 locked over the properties of Messrs. Matthewson. Home and Burt and Putere native lands, folding no signs of rabbits. After leaving Putere 'I looked over Mr. Torbett's high country and proceeded on by the bush track 'to Ngatapa to inspect Te Hoe station, which was found to be clean On Ngatapa native and private lands no fresh indications were seen. "Returning as far as the back wbare, Mangafaniwha, and from there on to Run 37 I saw no traces, nor were there any on Run 38, Mr. Frazcr's property. I looked over the front' portion of Mangataniwha and there were no fresh signs in the locality where a rabbit was caught recently,' but indications were seen on Kahu block, near the Waiau River. Crossing the river, I looked over the clearings in the rough block and saw no signs as far as the back whare. Waireka. Waireka Block "The back portion of Waireka carried no fresh signs, but there were indications on the bald hills, and an odd sign on the Whinaunui block. No traces were found on Otoi block. Arriving at Putere again I headed for Whareraraku and covered Ferndale station, which was clean. Signs were found on Woodlands, Mr. Mossman's property, but nothing was seen on Mohaka native, or on Mohaka Crown land, and the area about the Mohaka pa and the lower Mohaka bridge. "I inspected Pihanui and part of Cricklewood and did not discover any traces there. From Whareraraku I looked over Waihua Valley and the country .adjoining Ngamahaua, an odd sign being found on Mr. Kirk's high country. I called at Wairoa and then: at Wa'ihi station to pick up horses, loaned by Mr. J. S. Jessep, to proceed via Parkhurst property to Ruapapa, no signs being seen on the way. I inspected Waihi, a portion of Miromiro and the country around Tuai and Waikaremoana outlet, without finding any traces of rabbits. The journey back to Wairoa concluded my inspection of the district." Mr. Burgess reported also on the Mohaka bridge, which previously carried a rabbit proof gate. He stated that both the road bridge and the railway viaduct were accessible for rabbits, but he considered that if the board instructed Mr. England to watch the conditions closely he would be able to notify it immediately he thought action was necessary. The board agreed to hold over the matter of renewing the gate in the meantime.

Payments amounting to £96 lis 5d were confirmed.