"A DISTINCT HANDICAP.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12776, 21 October 1919, Page 3

"A DISTINCT HANDICAP.”

SETTLERS AND THE RABBIT PEST.

A deputation, consisting of Messrs H. Bliss, jim., R. Allan and P. Baxuford, appointed by the settlers of Allandale, Governor’s Bay and Teddington, waited on the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon W. Nosworthy) at Wellington in reference to the rabbit pest. Mr Bliss explained that a resolution had been passed at a meeting held at Allaudale recently, to the effect that a Ratepayers' Rabbit Board be formed, taking in all that area from Motukarara, Teddington. to the Lyttelton Heads. Included in that area were scenic reserves, which were Crown land vested in a- Scenic Reserves Association, .Lore members were honorary. He wished to know whether the proposed board would have th© same power over these reserves as over an ordinary landholder. The scenic reserves had. up to the present, been nothing else but a rabbit warren. The sale of rabbits and : rabhitsHns was held out as an induce- i ment to men working on the reserves j by the payment of 5 per cent on all sales. This was simply rabbit farm- I ing, and was to tho detriment of set-.j tiers. If rabbit fanning was going to 1 be allowed, it would be necessary to | proclaim these areas and have them j substantially fenced and guarded- Mr j Bliss also requested that a clause be | inserted in the Act enabling money i to be advanced to settlers, upon the recommendation of a Rabbit Board, to carry out rabbit-proof fencing—especi- I ally those settlers who made their live- j lihood from orchards and the growing I of vegetables. , Mr Allan contended that the infection had been carried out in an unsatisfactory manner, resulting in distinct hardship on those who were endeavouring to keep down tho pest. He requested the Minister to see that the Act wa- carried out more stringently, and also to alter clauses 7, 8 and il of the Rabbit Act, so as to make it possible to take steps against those who did not destroy rabbits on their property within fifteen days. Mr Bamford emphasised the great damage done by rabbits. He stated that the land round Kennedy’s Bush, a few years ago, used to grow as rood cocksfoot seed as any part of Banks Peninsula, from four to six bags of seed often being cut from an acre. At present mostly fern was grown there. Ho also brought under the Minister’s notice the damage done by the nest to orchards and vegetable gardens, and urged an alteration in the Act. The Minister was entirely sympathetic with the deputation, and promised that something would be done this session in reference to the Act. At the same time he cpuld not promise that any assistance would be given to settlers desirous of having the areas supplied with rabbit-proof fences this session. The matter of th© proposed Rabbit Board having over the scenic reserves would be referred to the Solicitor-General.