SOUTH CANTERBURY RABBIT FENCE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 4997, 3 May 1889, Page 4

SOUTH CANTERBURY RABBIT FENCE.

Sib, —Considerable doubts having been expressed as to the possibility of preventing the advance of the Otago rabbit into Canterbury by the erection of a rabbit fence, some information as to the South Canterbury rabbit fence may be acceptable. Sufficient time has now elapsed since the erection of the fence to test both its stability and efficiency as a check to the rabbits. About fifty miles of fence have been erected, and the greater part' of this has been completed more than nine months. During this period the fence has been severely tested both by snow and flood, but has sustained no material damage, no expenditure for repairs having been necessary beyond the wages of the men in charge. Four caretakers are at present employed, whose duty it is to daily patrol the fence, seeing that no openings exist, and destroying all rabbits in the vicinity. These caretakers are under the immediate control of Inspector Thomson, who frequently examines the fence. I have just returned from my periodical visit of inspection. I found the fence rabbitproof from end to end, and in' perfect order. The few rabbits of the semiwild breed, which existed to the north of the fence before its erection, are gradually being destroyed, their numbers being far less than last year. On the south side of the fence, however, rabbits are being killed daily by the caretakers along the fence. This affords proof that it has not been erected a day too soon. The weak point is at the Mount Cook end, where a satisfactory termination could not be found. This difficulty has, to a great extent, been overcome by the erection of a fence a mile and a half in length, from the west bank of the Tasman into a rough dark gully, which is very unenticing to rabbits. This fence has, so far, proved most effective, and the caretakers stationed on either side of the Tasman, at this point, are confident that they can keep the rabbit back. The caretakers and those residents next the line to whom I have spoken, express their confidence in the fence as an effectual barrier, snd I consider that it is placed beyond doubt, that with efficient supervision it will save Canterbury from the Otago rabbit. The whole fence to the Waitaki at Kurow will be completed by the end of June.

I am, &c. REGINALD Fosteb, Inspector in charge Canterbury District,