ALBURY RABBIT BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVIII, Issue 16822, 30 May 1919, Page 5

ALBURY RABBIT BOARD.

SYSTEMATIC POISONING RECOMMENDED. y. A meeting of the Albury Rabbit Board., was. held on "Wednesday afternoon, Mr Tns. -Sn;iicli presiding over a' good attendance. Among those present were several ,-iou'lli Canterbury rabbit inspectors. The -clia.irm'an expressed pleasure at the attendance, which was a good omen that they were alive to the, seriousness of the pest. He said a number of farmers did not realise what the danger was, and it was imperative that they should be united iu the matter. Systematic poisoning, he believed, was the only way to eradicate the vermin. He asked tUe inspectors present to place their views before the meeting. The opinion of the inspectors was that united poisoning was the only way to exterminate the rabbits. At the present time rabbits were taking the poison particularly well and excellent results were being obtained. : The question of rabbit netting was discussed, and the value of such fences in stopping the spread of rabbits was pointed out. The high price of netting just now made it almost unprocurable.

It was stated that rabbits are so tad in some localities that they have almost taken charge of the land. Mr Huddlestone explained the powers of duly constituted Rabbit -Boards under the Act. Large rateable areas could be formed, the rate being very light, and the Board appointed its own inspector, who was paid from the amounts collected, these being subsidised £ for £ by the Government. The inspector would report at the monthly meetings and any negligent farmer or land owners would be dealt with by the Government inspectors. After considerable discussion it was resolved on the motion of Mr Bruce Gillies seconded by Mr A. Davidson, '•'That in order to deal with the pest in South Canterbury a public meeting be called in Timaru with a view to forming Rabbit Boards in the various districts, the meeting to be held in the Sophia Street Hall en Saturday, June 14th at 1.30 p.m." It was also agreed to advertise Notifying farmers in the Albury and Biirrounding districts ' to commence poisoning on Monday, June 2nd."' '' ; . A hearty vote of thanks "to ' : 'the inspectors for being present closed the meeting.