Rabbit Trapping versus Poisoning

Southland Times, Issue 12007, 30 March 1892, Page 2

Rabbit Trapping versus Poisoning

[By Economist.] The question of trapping versus poisoning rabbits is one of great importance to this colony, and one which deserves the attention of all settlers and runholders, for not only does it mean a vast quantity of go )d food being destroyed by the latter process, but it constitutes a large annual loss to the colony, as when rabbits are poisoned they are, of course, useless as an article of food, whilst a great number of valuable skins are also lost owing to many of the rabbits dying in their burrows, or in places where they are never found ; but by trapping, these rabbits not only become a valuable commodity when preserved, but all their skins arc also secured. The shipments of preserved rabbits is now becoming a source of considerable revenue to the colodj, therefore this is a question that should receive the careful consideration of all who are interested in the destruction of " bunny" — who must not be looked upon as altogether a pest. lam quite aware that it is stated by many runholders that trapping does not so effectually clear the l*nd as poisoning, but others state that if really good trappers work the runs during the winter months, the numbor they trap is so great that comparatively few are left, and that with a little judicious poisoning shortly afterwards, the rabbits may be almost cleared out. It has already cost the New Zealand Government vast sumsof money in the attempt to exterminate the rabbit ; and the settlers are also put to great expense in the construction of wire netting fences (which do not effectually prevent the spread of the rabbits) and the employment of numbers of men as poisoners each season, which to many small settlers becomes an almost unbearable tax upon their resources. I am willing to admit that the Government have done much toward the abatement of this nuisance by the framing of that dreadful Act (the Rabbit Act) wi»h all its fines and punishments for the non-destruc-tion of " brer rabbit," but still he appears to " lie low," and it is a pity, for his own sake, that he does not always do so when the lynx-eyed Rabbit Inspector happens to pass instead of taking an impudent look at him, as much as to say •' I am monarch of all I survey," and there is little doubt be would be so very shortly if the wily trapper

and poisoner were to cease operations. There is another impor' ant point in regard to the destruction of rabbits, and that is : Are the Government Rabbit Inspectors seeing to their proper suppression upon all Government property, or unlet lands, as it becomes doubly hard upon settlers who may happen to hold a run or a farm next to Government property or these unlet lands, upon which rabbits are numerous, as he may use his best efforts to clear his own land and still be unable to keep down the rabbits, as they will be constantly reappearing from these untrapped and unpoisoned lands. I would suggest that the Government might graut a small bonus to all tnippera upon the number of rabbits they take during the season. This would induce more men to engage in this industry ; ag it is, hundreds of men are now engaged in trapping for the factories during winter, who, perhaps, would have no other means of obtaining a livelihood. It is also a question if it would not pay the Government to provide the unemployed during this eeason with tents and traps, and place them upon stations or runs, and collect and forward the rabbits free of charge to the preserving factories. This no doubt would prevent many men coming upon the funds of tha Charitable Aid Hoards or complaining of the want of work, and would pay the Government better than placing them upon unproductive works. Of course these men would require an experienced trapper with them for a time, as " bunny " is not to be caught by auy " new chum. " It is well known that many trappers make as much as LI per day, during the season, but these are exception, still a very good living ia to be made by any ruan who will give his attention to it, and if the Govsrnment should be willing to assist these men, by the means suggested, they will be earning the thanks of the whole colony, and assisting in eradicating an undeniable scourge. It is to be hoped the Government will instruct the Rabbit Inspectors, thia season, to grant an extra month for trapping, previous'to issuing ordora for poisoniDg, which immediately puts a stop to all the preserving factories. This would prove a great advantage to Otago and Southland, as the rabbi U are in fine condition towards the end of the winter, and winter skins are the most valuable in the Home market. In proof of the great destruction of rabbit! by trapping, I may mention that in one d&j last season no less than 10,000 rabbits wen sent into one of the preserving factories ii Southland, and the value of these was esti mated at L 250. Therefore should the Gov eminent concede this extra month to th» trappers it would or the basis above statec represent the sum of L 7500 for one factor] alone that would otherwise be destroyed b; poison, while the skins, which are snippet Home, would assist to increase the wealth o the colony. I might mention that this factory pn through during lant season nearly halfa million of rabbits, and employed between 7 and 80 hands, paying away for wages, Ac the large sum of LI'J,OOO, therefore we mm all admit the fact that this industry is noi becoming a very important one to the colon and one the Government ought to encourag as far as possible. Another question, whic I understand has oome before the Railwa Commissioners, is whether railway carriag should be charged upon preserved rabbits i transit for shipment. Of course in asl ing the Government to abolish or reduce thi carriage, we must consider the Railwa Commissioners as merely in the position of private company, as it is to the advantafi of the colony that they should obtain a large a revenue as possible. I think an'es ception in this instance could be grante without much losh to the public revenu* and with advantage to the colony. I woul bring before the notice of the Governmec the fact that a considerable fall in the pric of rabbitskins has recently taken place in th Home market, therefore settlers may ci perience great difficulty in obtaining men t take up the poisoning next season for th value of the skins, and large runbolderewh rckon th<2 skins to nearly pay for the c: penae of poisoned grain and wages are like) to suffer considerably by the reduction. Th preserving factories are considering th question of reducing the present price fo rabbits in consequence of this fall ; therefor it behoves the Government to increase thei efforts by holding out inducements to me to undertake trapping in all districts wher rabbits abound.