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2061. It was in consequence of that circular that you took the steps in regard to summoning? —No I had summoned some owners : but I certainly made use of it to impress them all the more. It did not make the slightest difference in my intentions. 2062. But you only discovered at that time that rabbits were in this part of the country ?—No; rabbits have been there for years. 2063. Why did you only send the notices then ?—Because they were increasing. 2064. Do you summon all persons in your district who are not taking proper steps to destroy the rabbits ?—Yes. 2065. You make no difference as to small or large holders?— None whatever. 2066. And on large runs are the rabbits decreasing ?—Yes. 2067. Do you think you will be able to keep them in that direction ?—Yes, I think so ; but I am not quite satisfied with some places, and I intend to go round and tell them. 2068. How many agents have you under you ?—Two. 2069. Have you the appointment or dismissal of them '! —l only recommend them to the Colonial Secretary, and I am instructed to appoint them. 2070. Have you ever recommended any one who was not approved by the department ?—No : these two men were just handed over to me from the former Inspector. 2071. And you supposed you were obliged to take them?— Yes. 2072. Then you are not independent? —No. 2073. You cannot appoint any person that you think fit ?—I cannot spend the Government money without authority. I believe I cannot dismiss or appoint a man without reference to the Government. I can only recommend. 2074. If you were told you had full authority to do so would it surprise you to hear it ?—I should be surprised. 2075. And you do not remember having received a circular to that effect?—l never received one. 2076. What do the agents do ?—They visit the runs. They hold appointments under the Sheep Act. 2077. But you have not much to do in regard to sheep ? —Not much just now. 2078. As a matter of fact, does the sheep-work take up any considerable portion of the time of these men who are appointed to look after the rabbits ?—Sometimes, when I visit a run for rabbitinspection purposes I send an agent to do some of the sheep-work for me ; and if there was a Court case I should require to take one with me in order that he might be a witness. 2079. Where do you live ?—At Masterton. 2080. Does your district include Masterton ?—Yes. 2081. Masterton is almost on the corner of the district?— Yes. 2082. Do you think Masterton is the most convenient place as a centre to work from ?— Certainly. 2083. Can you get about easily?— Yes. 2084. And you are constantly moving about?—l have always plenty of work. 2085. Do you make a point of visiting every part of your district during the year? —Certainly. I do not say that I visit every run, but I know the state of every run. 2086. You rely on the reports of the rabbit agents ?—Yes : I also know where the rabbits are numerous myself. 2087. How can you be sure that there are rabbits on a place?—l could be pretty sure, because rabbits do not come swarming on to a place at once. lam very well satisfied with the agents. I have visited every run as far as the rabbits are concerned. 2088. Do you think the Babbit Act works well ?—Yes. 2089. Have you any amendments to suggest regarding it ?—Nothing more than I have recommended in my report—that the Government should admit wire-netting, traps, ammunition and guns duty-free, and provide phosphorus for the settlers at a cheaper rate. At present it costs them 4s. 9d. per pound, and lam told it could be landed here for 2s. 6d. Mr. John Martin, jun., informed me. 2090. Do you think you will ever be able to eradicate rabbits in your district?—l do not think we shall ever get rid of them altogether, but we may keep them down. 2091. You will always be obliged, then, to keep up a staff of men ?—Unless we can discover some disease to destroy them. 2092. What is the best plan to deal with the rabbit nuisance ?—I cannot suggest any improvement on the present system. 2093. Do you think that if the Act were handed over to local bodies it would be put more thoroughly into operation ?—lt would not work satisfactorily. 2094. Captain Russell.] Do you not find the owners anxious to help you generally ?—A good many of them are, but others will slack off and make all sorts of excuses. With many it is a question of money. It is a rough year with them—the low price of produce, taxes, and so on. 2095. You think any system of an elective body would not answer?—l do not think so. 2096. If an elective body had power to levy a rate, do you not think the ratepayers would feel immediately interested in the proper carrying-out of the Act ?—No. 2097. What is the advantage of simultaneous poisoning?—lf one man poisons, and the adjoining man does not, the rabbits will swarm down on to him. 2098. Do you think rabbits get wary of poison ?—lt is very difficult to get some rabbits to take the poison. 2099. You think, then, it would be unadvisable to continue poisoning all the year round ?—I think it is a good thing, according to the country and the weather. 2100. But if rabbits get shy of poison in the summer, would they not refuse to take it in the winter?—No one can say. We often think some rabbits take a little and then get right again. 2101. Do you think rabbits can be induced to take poison satisfactorily in summer-time ?—The only successful plan, I find, is by turning the sod over and ploughing.