MASTERTON RABBIT DISTRICT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 555, 30 August 1880, Page 2

MASTERTON RABBIT DISTRICT.

A meeting of Trustees of the above District was held on Saturday, the 28th inst.

Present Messrs Stuckey (in the chair), Welch, Holmes, and Hood. The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed, the correspondence and Inspector's report were read. With reference to a letter from the secretary to the Carterton Trustees, relative to joint action in poisoning on the banks of the Waingawa, Mr Holmes was requested to arrange for a meetin? with Mr Gayfor,' to confer as to the arrangements for proceeding witli this, Upou discussion it was resolved—That the Inspector be authorised to employ a competent man to kill rabbits on the property of Mr J. Dorset, who has neglected to comply with the notice served on him by ihe Inspector. On the questiou of suing defaulting ratepayers, after discussion, it was decide! to take proceedings against three landowners; and to avoid any suspicion of personal feeling being exhibited it was arranged tint the first, last, and one intermediate names of defaulters on the list should be selected. These happened to be Messrs W, & H. Beethain, Walter Harris, and H. S. Wardell. The Secretary was accordingly instructed to give these gentlemen the requisite notices. In the absence of any report from Mr H. Bannister, wlm is in charge of the work of poisoning on native laud at Te Ore Ore, the consideration of further action in this direction was postponed until Mr Bannister's report is received ; in the meantime the matter would be left in Mr Cave's hands,

The meeting then adjourned to Satur day, 11th Sep , at 11 a.m.

INSPECTOR'S BEPniIT, . Masterton, 28th August,

The Chairman Masterton Rabbit Trustees,

Sir,—ln accordance with instructions received at the last meeting of the Board, I have to report that since that date I have made a bur of inspection through the Alfredton portion of the district. I first visited the properties of Messrs Gibson and Rutherfurd, and Mr Alpass, The labbits have not yet made their appearance on either of these properties. On Mr Ohapmtn's property there are a few only. I next visited the properties of Messrs Minchin, Mr Cross, and Mr P. Brannigan, I find that no rabbits have been seen on these places. On Mr J. Morrison's proporty, which 1 next inspected, I rind there are a few rabbits. I served Mr Morrison with a notice under Section IL I then visited the properties belonging to Messrs Tancred and Hood. Here I find there is one regular rabbit man kept, the daily average being low. On the land owned by Mr Carman I find there are a few rabbits, What lvnting is considered necessary is done by Mr Cartnai.'s sous. I next visted the property belonging to Mr Perry. In the absence of Mr Perry's son, who is in charge of the property, I was unable co ascertain what stops are being taken to keep the rabbits in check.

On the 2(irh iust. I visited the properties belonging to Messrs Bruce, Harvey, J. McLachlan, McKay, W. Day, and Morrison. On the whole of these poison has been used since I first inspected them, and has given general satisfaction. On the sum" day I visited the land owned by Mr F. Gray and Mr W. L, Dorset. On the former of these poisou has been successfully used, hut on Mr Dorset's I find no efficient steps have been taken to keep the rabbits in check, tluiu»h on some portions of the property they are numerous. Proceeding then to Mr J. Dorset's, I find the same neglect to kill rabbits; neither this gentseiuan nor Mr D. McLachlan have used any poison, I next visited the run owned by Mr J. McKeuzie. Here I Gnd a considerable quantity of poison has been used with satisfactory results. On the land owned by Mr Fallnon there are a few rabbits, hut not in sufficient numbers to euahle poison to he used with success. I beg to report that having been called to Wellington during the last week upon a very urgent matter, I have not yet completed the inspection of the Alfredton portion of the district. I have, &,c. , Robi. Campbell, Inspector.