THE RABBIT QUESTION.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 768, 1 October 1900, Page 2

THE RABBIT QUESTION.

Ouu Whatawhata correspondent writes : —An impression seems to prevail in some quarters, that the recent reference to the loss in the district, of a number cf pigs, presumably, owing to their taking poison laid for rabbits, contained a reflection on the. officials of the Stock Department. Nothing could have been further from the inteution of the writer, and a careful perusal of the report in question, will convince anyone, that in chronicling the loss of stock, only the bare facts are given, and at. the same time the necessity for taking active measures to combat the rabhit nuisance is shown. It is a well-known fact that Waikato is fortunate iu its present Stock Inspector and staff, who have carried out their, at times, unpleasant duties with strict impartiality and without causing any unnecessary friction with the settlers; but at the same time it is equally obvious that any losses in live stock which are, even presumably, clue to poison laid for rabbits should be published, if for no other reason than to warn stock-owners of the risk they run in allowing their animals to wander at larce. Again, the impression has been very general that farm stock, particularly sheep and cattle, would not take the phosphorised meal ; but the experience recently gained, and which has been given due publicity, bus pretty well dispelled that idea, ami the result will doubtless be more caution in future, and few, if any, losses of stock recorded. So far as the Waipa is concerned, the question of checking the spread of rabbits, is one of considerable, and increasing importance. There are a large blocks of unimproved land scattered about the district, much of it of a light, sandy uaturo, just suiting the requirements of bunny, and it is well-known tint many places, where, a lew years ago, not a rabbit could be found, are now well stocked. In such cases, aud they are fairly numerous, shooting aud trapping, even if well carried out, would be practically useless iu checking tho spread of the pest, poison being the only effective moans of doing so Where the Department have taken the ..matter iu hand, and laid poison, the result has been simply astonishing, the rabbits disappearing in a few .days. The position amounts to this,that wherever settlers live adjacent to blocks of unimproved land, either the Stock Department will have to keep the rabbits iu check, or the settlers take the matter in hand themselves, which latter would mean considerable expense, as well as constant danger lo their own stock.