THE RABBIT NUISANCE.

Western Star, Issue 144, 10 June 1876, Page 5

THE RABBIT NUISANCE.

The rabbit nuisance in Southland has been occupying a prominent place in the columns of our Dunedin contemporaries during the past few days. This was owing to the publication cf .the report of the Commissioners appointed to investigate the matter. The report, which is too voluminous for us ter publish, fails to throwmuch light on one-half the damage and annoyance sustained in the Southland district through this great plague, and we look upon it as throwing away a great deal of public money for the very little information furnished by the Commissioners. Instead of devoting their attention to the agricultural as well as the pastoral portions of the country, they- have contented themselves with making a flying visit through only one part ©f the district, and, as a-matter of course, the knowledge gained thereby is of a very meagre and superficial character. After relating whefe ! the nuisance was supposed to have commenced—which story, by the way, was only half told, as they omitted to mention that these pests were first introduced and acclimatised by a worthy resident of Southland, Dr Mehzies—and after dwelling at considerable length-en the few facts elicited by .them in their perambulations, they conclude, with the following remarks; —We have been particularly struck with one circumstance, and we commend the consideration of it to your Honour. The Crown'tenants complain that, as the introduction of a rabbit was not an act of theirs, they should npt be left unaided in its extermination. They urge that the crown has a. present as well as a continuing interest in the well-being of the pastoral country. That, were they to cease their exertions and close their purses, the assessment paid in the northern part of Otage would decrease materially, while in both parts the runs would, on completion of tha leases, bo a comparatively worthless, or, certainly, a much depreciated possession, as would be shown when submitted for mew or renewed'-leases. They further urge that while the depasturing capacity is materially affected they , are called, upon with diminished meads to clear their runs of a nuisance at a time when their leases are about to expire. As a partial recompense for these exertions, and as a stimulus to rid the country of the pest, some point to a five years’ extension of their leases, others to an annual subsidy, to repayment of.'the' duty of dogs and powder, and others, again, to the introduction of a law which shall compel tho owners or occupiers and lessees of all lands in infested districts to submit to a tax on the annual value of their property, to be raised and expended by local trustees—or by an inspector, as in the case' of the existing Scab Act -under efficient Crown supervision. Stress has been laid oh the necessity that this legislation, to effective, should be compulsory not only on all in a proclaimed infested district, but on all portions of the country whors rabbitsurs kuovrn to or lesser numbers. ‘