Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly. Price 1d. FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1886. The Rabbit Nuisance.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1855, 9 July 1886, Page 2

Wairarapa Standard Published Tri-weekly. Price Id. FRIDAY, JULY 9, 1886. The Rabbit Nuisance.

Teg report for the past year of Mr B. F. Bayly, the Superintending Inspector, with respect to the Babbit Nuisance, is not ol an encouraging character. The report in question is very short and lamentably deficient in detailed information. Mr Bayly explains “ that statistical information will be furnished when returns come to hand,” but why those returns were not in the Inspector’s possession at the time he prepared his report has still to be explained. It was perfectly practicable for the Chief Inspector to attain all necessary information and data before preparing bis report. Mr Bayly states “ that things have not progressed satisfactorily daring the past year towards the destruction of the rabbit pest, while the outlook is less favorable than daring previous years.” Mr Bayly’s report is dated on 29th May, and at that time he remarks.

“ An unprecedented hot and'dry summer, during which there was no rainfall sufficient to destroy the " stops ” or to a certain extent check the increase, has been attended with very unsatisfactory results—in fact, during the last three months the increase has been far in excess of anything experienced during previous seasons. No doubt the winter poisoning will again reduce the numbers, but the question arises, Where is this annual tax to end 7 I am still of the opinion I held three years ago, that no scheme has yet been propounded that effectually deals with the question ; and I adhere to the suggestion I made in 1883, that a reward should be offered sufficiently large to induce scientists to give the matter their attention. In these days of enlightenment and research it is more than probable that a disease peculiar to the rabbit, or some other means might be discovered which would furnish a wholesale yet inexpensive method of destruction. Some time ;ago I observed that the South Australian Government bad sent to Germany for the purpose of iotrodncing rabbits infested with a species of scabies peculiar to them, and whieh is said to destroy great numbers of them, and, from its debilitating effect, reduces their breeding power enormously. It is something in this direction that should be sought after. Even if a poison were discovered that could be freely used in summer a great stride towards keeping the pest in check would be attained ; nor do I see why the difficulties here should be insurmountable. Let an experimental branch be established, for one year, under the charge of a thoroughly qualified chemist, and assisted by men practically acquainted with the rabbit. It is quite evident that to obtain permanent relief a different procedure is required from what is at present available. Why should not this be attempted ? Surely the chance of something beneficial being obtained should be possible.” All this is rather discouraging; as while the scientific men are occupying months and years in trying to discover a new poisoning agent which shall play havoc with tho rabbits, the latter will go on increasing and multiplying with amazing rapidity until they have become a source oi terrible loss to the settlers. Mr Bayly thinks that the use of ferrets will materially aid in keeping down the f pest, but be adds that the supply of ferrets should be kept up annually, and that they should be turned out in large numbers over the infected areas. With respect to weasels, Mr Bayly records the results of a shipment of those animal to the colony in 1884. He says : “ These weasels were turned out on a peninsula containing about eight thousand acres at the Wanaka Lake. Shortly after their release a diminution of the rabbits in the neighborhood was apparent. Last year only a portion of the peninsula was poisoned, and this year the rabbits are reported to be still fewer. It is proposed not to poison at all on this block this winter, and watch the result. Where the weasels were originally placed scarcely a rabbit is to be seen until the extreme end of the ground is reached, or, the furthest point from where they were released. In this case, should the result be satisfactory, it means that an area of badly infested country eight thousand acres in extent has been permanently cleared at an expenditure of about £6OO. In other looali lies where these animals have been liberated tho same, conditions do not exist. They were neither turned out in a large number at one spot, nor were they, as on the peninsula, confined to certain limits ; consequently the results have not been so manifest; but, at the same time, rabbits killed by them have been found repeatedly.” During the past year, one shipment of 82 stoats and 126 weasels were landed to the order of the Government, and distributed as follows Part on Wilkin River, at the head of Lake Wanaka ; part on the east side of Makarora River; another lot on the Naumann Range, head of Lake Ohau ; remainder on the Waitaki River—in equal portions at each place. Two other shipments, consigned to private individuals, were introduced during the past twelve months, numbering, respectively, 116 weasels and 32 stoats, and 116 weasels and 66 stoats. The former were distributed partly in Marlborough and West Wairarapa, ami the latter in West Wairarapa, on Messrs Riddiford’s station. Rabbits destroyed by these animals have been repeatedly found, but sufficient time b»s not yst

elapsed since their liberation to speak defini-1 tely as to the result. With respect to rabbit proof fencing, Mr Bayly states '" This sort of fencing has been found to afford a certain amount of protection where an inflas of rabbits impends, and a line of considerable length could be erected oo the margin of the threatened country, and which could extend outside the line of their advance. If not a complete bar it would at least hinder the pest from making a rapid advance, and thus facilitate their destruction at the boundary. Having referred to rabbit proof fencing as an adjunct to keeping the pest within bounds, 1 may mention that many persons hold the opinion that this description of fence should be legalised, and the Fencing Act amended in that direction. If such were done numbers of persons who are precluded from using this means of protection through not being able to recover from the owners adjoining them would at once adopt it, and thus be able to protect their ground from being re .infested from other holdings, and with the certainty of being able to keep down the rabbits oa their own properties.’’

There is not much more in this report to which attention need be called. The rabbit pest appears to be very bad indeed in some parts of the Middle Island. With respect to the measures to be adopted in dealing with the pest in that part of the ;oolony Mr Bayly remarks “No fresh methods have been reported as having been need during the year. One is now being brought under the notice of the department by a resident in Otago, who claims to have discovered the means of poisoning the rabbit with phoaphorised grain as effectually during the summer as in the winter months ; even if so, this cannot be tested for some mouths, There is no doubt that pbosphorised grain iu winter, together with the natural enemy, are the most efficacious means yet attempted, and, failing any further importation of weasels and stoats for the inaceessible country, I would strongly recommend that two ferret breeding depots be established, one to be situated at the head of Lake Wanaka, so as to supply the Haast country and between that and Hawea; and the other one on Lake Oban station, to supply the country on the West side of Dobson fever ; and, farther, that the Government continue to offer such a price for breeding them as will induce persons to go largely into it, the whole number so procurable to be released throughout the Crown lands of the colony, and specially on the rough and unoccupied areas.