THE RABBIT PEST.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16817, 12 May 1919, Page 4

THE RABBIT PEST.

To the Editor of the "Timaru Herald." • Sir, —This is without doubt, the most important question before Mouth Canterbury at the present time. That the rabbits are on the increase is a certainty, and unless more stringent measures are taken they will very shortly redue'j the yaiue 0 f many properties. United action is the only way in which the pes* can be controlled; it wili never be eradicated. Mr Burnett advocates, the use of netting, and in .some eases this would do a lot towards stopping the march of bunny and his legions into new country, but it: will not do much towards killing off the present army of rabbits. One .correspondent advocates the use of ferrets, but anyone who has had to do w'th clearing rabbets out of rocky country or on large runs knows that this idea is alv-urd. Ferrets provide good sport for shooting, but are usaless " except where the rabbits congregate ill warren:-:. The same may 'de said, of fumigating. From my experience (if thirty years, during which I have ha:l expepeiK'3 of shoot'ug. trapping, dogging and po : soning rabbits. I can confidently snv that in my humble opinion poisoning is. the only solution of the question, w-th perhaps the assistance of shooting off the old does that are tn-o cunning to feke poison. Your. correspondent Aft G. G. Hayter's letter. 'is. unworthy of notice, as it consists of slurs thrown at his and other people's neighbours, whom ho terms "ignorant and lazy, 1 ' I and uncalled for attacks on officers of the Government Fields Divis : on, who ai'o not iiermi+ted to reply through the papers. This sort of rubbish will not he]]) to s;olve the question of the destruction, of, rabb'lts, and it would tappear «Fi if it were written withthe idea of trying to make people think that the writer was the only on« who know anything nbent the subject, while others were simply .'Mgnorant and, lazs'." —T am. etc.. "IGNORANT AND LAZY." To the Editor of title "Timaru Herald." Sir; —1 just feel it my duty to answer thobe leirters.. :on the rabbit question. Now, sir, in the first i>laee 3 what was the Efficiency Boaird'tor? Don't- you think, instead of the drink questioa they might Siu-ve put the, Hev.' Mr Stinson on poisoning? I quite agreewith Mr Hayter as to neighbours, and think that :only hard work will cope with the pest. I have been away for two years, paying all taxes, and I fkid that I have more fah'bits than, ever. — I am, etc.. NO- 53,.985, .RETURNED SOLDIER.