H.—lB.

From Babbit Inspector Blundell, Blenheim. (1.) Phosphorized grain, and arsenicized carrots chiefly, the latter not so extensively used as the former, but both have been found very effective. Ferret-breeding has been carried on to a great extent, and on one run 500 have been turned out, but sufficient time has not yet elapsed to be able to prove results. (2.) I would suggest that experiments be tried to prove the efficacy of inoculation, as proposed by a Mr. Willows, in a letter published in the Australasian of the 14th April, the experiments to be tried on a small island in the Lower Wairau. (3.) The rabbits have been kept in check to a great extent, but I see no prospect of exterminating them, unless it is by the introduction of the natural enemy, or by some such means as are proposed above. (4.) One. (5.) £80. (6.) 10,000 acres. (7.) Not exceeding 12,000 acres. (8.) 2001b. (9.) £40. (10.) 801b. (11.) 861b. (12.) 341b. (13.) 306,261. (14.) One. (15.) One. (16.), (17.) None.

From Babbit Inspector Passau, Kaikoura. (1.) Phosphorized grain and ferrets used in preference to all other means tried. Most of the owners of infested runs breed ferrets and turn them out. All report them as a great success, and I can substantiate the report. (2.) That clause 29 should be more explicit re permit to remove ferrets. (3.) Bapid; the stock increasing in numbers and in condition. (4.) Two. (5.) £42 18s. (6.) 3,000 acres. (7.) About 4,000 acres. (8.) 176 lb. (9.) £33. (10.) None. (11.) 86 lb. (12.) 90 lb. (13.) Estimated 40,000. (14.), (15.), (16.), (17.). None. General Remarks'.— -The Act has supplied a long-felt want in this district, particularly as regards the protection of ferrets, although parties breeding them for sale object to a permit being necessary before disposing of them. The wild ferrets are increasing very quickly, and spreading over the back country. There will be a very large decrease in the number of skins exported this year, owing to the landowners using poison instead of traps.

From Babbit Inspector Macdonald, Timaru. (1.) Shooting, trapping, and dogs ; a little poison was used without success. (2.) None. (3.) Fair. (4.), (5.), (6.), (7.), (8.), (9.), (10.), (11.), (12.) None. (13.) About 9,000. (14.), (15.), (16.), (17.) None. General Remarks. —The rabbit-pest has only just begun to show itself in this part of the colony. Although rabbits have been in the district for the last twenty years, only of late have they appeared to spread. More vigorous measures have been taken of late by most of the landowners upon whose properties the pest exists ; and I believe that, by using energetic measures simultaneously, the pest could be kept well under, although, from the rough nature of the country, to completely eradicate them will be a matter of time and a more numerous population.

From Babbit Inspector Fullaeton, Oamaru. (1.) Phosphorized grain, dogs, traps, and digging-out. A good many ferrets have been turned out in northern portions of the subdivision. (2.) None. (3.) Good progress has been made in the places where rabbits were formerly very numerous. They are now only to be found in patches. (4.) Two. (5.) £179 14s. 4d. (6.) 7,609 acres. (7.) 7,609 acres. (8.), (9.), (10.), (11.), (12.) None. (13.) 80,000. (14.), (15.), (16.), (17.) None. General Remarks. —I consider the Babbit Act is working well, and the pest is gradually diminishing, especially on those properties where phosphorized grain is systematically laid ; and where ferrets have been turned out I expect they will assist greatly in spring and summer in destroying the young rabbits.

From Babbit Inspector Johnson, Dunedin. (1.) Every effort has been made to compel landowners to poison their properties, and, where default has been made, prosecutions have followed, with good effect. Bisulphate, Forsyth's and Burt's exterminators have been used in my district, but not with any marked success. Phosphorized grain, with oil of anniseed or rodium in autumn (the latter oil being unnecessary at the present season), appears to be the only effectual exterminator known. (2.) In my opinion no change in the existing law, save in the computation of the penalty to be inflicted. I think a scale should be adopted of penalizing a defendant according to the extent of his acreage, as follows : Not exceeding £20 for first 1,000 acres, and not exceeding £1 for every additional 1,000 or fraction of 1,000 acres. The penalties are not sufficiently severe in the case of large landowners. (3.) I consider very satisfactory progress has been made. (4.) Thirteen. (5.) £1,134. (6.) 70,000 acres. (7.) 72,000 acres. (8.) 5801b." (9.) £108 15s. (10.) None. (11.) 5801b. (12.) None. (13.) Estimated 700,000. Total from Port Chalmers, as per Customs return, 4,873,891. (14.) Nineteen. (15.) Nineteen. (16.) None. (17.) Frederick Carmichael, Saddle Hill, and McPherson.

From Babbit Inspector Miles, Naseby. (1.) During winter months, poison ; for remainder of the year, dogging, shooting, trapping, and digging-out. Ferrets have also been turned out at Taieri Lake Station. Some will be turned loose at Liiiburn, and one or two are using ferrets and nets. (2.) Should recommend that the Maori hen, or weka, be gazetted as a natural enemy. (3.) Babbits in Maniototo County have not only been checked but considerably reduced ; they not being so numerous now as they were this time last »year. (4.) One. (5.) £6 10s. (6.) About 700 acres.- (7.) About 45,000 acres. (8.) 101b. (9.) £2. (10.) Noife. (11.) 101b. (12.) None. (13.) About 400,000. (14.) Four. (15.) One. (16.) Thre.e. (17.) None.

From Babbit Inspector Bees, Clyde. (1.) Phosphoric poisoning through the winter, and such times as rabbits would take the poisoned grain; supplemented by shooting, dogging, trapping, and ferreting at other times. (2.)

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