RABBIT CONTROL

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21415, 8 May 1941, Page 9

RABBIT CONTROL

GOOD WORK BY BOARDS TUHIKARAMEA’S EXPERIENCE WHAT STATISTICS DISCLOSE “ Strange as it may seem, I was perusing a copy of a rabbiter’s report at the time a broadcast lecture on the rabbit pest was in progress, and I think it is interesting and significant enough to be placed before the public,” writes Mr J. M. McWhannell, chairman of the Tuhikaramea Rabbit Board. “ In September, 1938, after a great deal of deliberation and a considerable amount of opposition a rabbit board was formed, and was known as the Tuhikaramea Rabbit Board. This covered an area of approximately 26,000 acres, a big proportion of which was more or less badly infested with rabbits. The board quickly got to work and during the first twelve months killed the amazing number of 77,500 rabbits. During that time twelve men were employed. Decrease in ‘‘ Population ” “ For the next twelve months the board’s employees, of whom there were five for tne first six months and three lor the remainder of the year, killed 41,000 rabbits, a decrease of 36,500 on the previous year. This is explained in the following tallies (all of which can be inspected at the board’s office), which were caught on some of the properties in this area:— “No. I.—lirst year, 2700 rabbits caught; second year, 900; six months, third year, 160. “ No. 2.—First year, 3500; second year, 1100; third year, 6 months, 319. “No. 3.—First year, 3900; second year, 875; third year, six months, a few. “ No. 4.—First year, 1670; second year, 580 “ No. s.—First year, 800; second year, 180. “No. 6. —First year, 2218; second year, 457; third year, six months, 172. “ All these tallies have been checked and certified correct and signed for by the individual owners of the property on which the rabbits were caught. “ The total number of rabbits destroyed in the area during the 2A years the board has been in existence is 122,992, and added to this is approximately 5000 which have been caught, dogged and shot on the roadsides, in gullies, swamps, etc., making a total of 127,992 rabbits killed. ‘ “Besides this number, 14,000 acres have been fumigated and the burrows destroyed, and it is common knowledge that the rabbits destroyed by this method cannot be tallied. Displacement of Sheep “ It is only by the formation of rabbit boards, the selection of suitable men as rabbiters and the help men-as rabbiters and the help and co-operation of the ratepayers, that these pests can be successfully exterminated. It is a well-known fact that live rabbits eat and destroy as much grass as one sheep. If we double the number of rabbits per sheep, this will mean that this district is capable of carrying over 12,000 more sheep. A conservative estimate would be £1 a sheep, making in all I £12,000 a year. The total of rates jpaid during the whole of the three years is only £1155. It can thus be seen that the small amount of rates paid is surely a first-class insurance for the elimination of this destructive pest. “ From the foregoing facts and figures it must be admitted, even by those who opposed the formation of the board, that its inception has been justified. Great credit is due to the board members for the able and ef- ; ficient manner in which they have i carried out their duties as executive officers,”