WAIMATE GOOD PROGRESS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23215, 31 May 1945, Page 3

WAIMATE GOOD PROGRESS

Redcliff Rabbit Board Confidence Expressed By Ratepayers A vote of confidence in the Board was carried by ratepayers of the Redcliff Rabbit District after the chairman (Mr H. J. C. Harper) had given details at a special meeting of the progress made by the Board since operations were commenced eight months ago, including the destruction of 50,042 rabbits. Mr Harper explained that there was no compulsion upon the Board to call a soecial meeting of ratepayers, but members considered such a step advisable in order that opportunity might be afforded for the expression of opinion on the airing of grievances. Referring to the work accomplished, he said he hoped the tally of rabbits destroyed would reach 75,000 by the time the Board had completed its first 12 months. “In three or four years, at the present rate, we should get the pest really down,” Mr Harper declared. He explained the agreement with the rabbiters and said they were working at present on a basis of £4/4/- per 100. Mr C. J. Dugdale said he felt the Board had done really well and they might take the small attendance at the meeting as a sign of confidence in their administration. He added that he fully appreciated the difficulties faced by the Board in its first year. Referring to points raised in discussion, Mr Harper said it was probable that the season had driven many raobits to drier parts of the district, which accounted for the heavy toll taken in the Glenavy area. A rabbitproof fence along the back road would be highly advantageous, but the present cost was prohibitive. He added that he believed summer rabbiting was more effective than during the winter. “If the Board concentrates on the Elephant Hill area and the Waitaki riverbed, which appear to be the worst localities. they will do the most good at present,” he declared. A suggestion by Mr V. Wilson that farmers might assist in view of the labour shortage by combining to draw the furrow, pick up, and help in other ways under the direction of the foreman rabbiter (Mr Cornelius) was approved by Mr Harper. Mr Cornelius expressed the view that it was advisable to trap where the pest was present in small numbers, but where rabbits were thick poisoning had to be resorted to. He said that while large blocks with only small colonies of rabbits had been neglected while the Board had only four men, these areas would now be dealt with. He expressed appreciation of the co-opera-tive attitude of ratepayers. A vote of confidence in the Board was carried on the motion of Messrs A. Hurst and V. Wilson. Basketball The draw for the first round of the Waimate Basketball Sub-Association’s competitions is as follows: First Grade June 2—High School A v. Waimate B; High School B v. Waimate A. June 9—High School B v. Waimate B; Waimate A v. High School A. June 16 —High School A v. High School B; Waimate A v. Waimate B. Second Grade June 2—St. Patrick’s v. Morven 1; Nurses v. High School; Morven A a bye. , June 9 —Nurses v. Morven A; Morven 1 v. High School; St. Patrick's a bye. June 16—St. Patrick’s v. High School; Morven A v. Morven 1; Nurses a bye. June 23 —Morven A v. High School; St. Patrick's v. Nurses; Morven 1 a bye. June 30—St. Patrick's v. Morven A; Morven 1 v. Nurses; High School a bye.

Rugby The draw for Rugby matches at Waimate on Saturday is as follows: Senior—Makikihi v. Star, 2.45 p.m.. No. 2 ground (Mr R. Rose). Junior—Old Boys v. Southern-Hui-mai, 2 p.m., No. 3 ground (Mr Fleming) ; High School v. Makikihi, 1.30 p.m., No. 1 ground (Mr Stechman). Fourth grade—Primary v. St. Patrick’s, 1.30 p.m., No. 2 ground (Mr Mackay).