H.—l9.

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

THE RABBIT NUISANCE. (ANNUAL REPORTS OF INSPECTORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1892.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Head Office, Live Stock Department, Sib,— Wellington, 6th July, 1892. I have the honour to furnish my report for the year ended 31st March, 1892. During the above period I visited a large portion of the rabbit-infested country, and am pleased to be in a position to say that in my opinion the infested country is becoming more circumscribed. There are also good grounds for hoping that with a successful poisoning, followed up by other energetic measures, the pest will be much reduced during the winter and spring months. I regret, however, that in many instances the officers of the department do not receive that support which is expected from owners of rabbit-infested lands in their endeavours to check the evil. This is accounted for mainly by the establishment of rabbit-tinning factories, which hold out inducements to owners and others to preserve the rabbits for months previous to the opening of the factories, thereby causing themselves much loss of feed and disturbance of stock, as well as requiring the department to be continually urging on the work of destruction. This was brought to my notice very clearly on several occasions during my tour of inspection. While admitting the factories when at work, say from February till beginning of poisoning- or breeding-season, are a help towards the destruction of rabbits, at the same time I have no hesitation in saying that, owing to the existence of these factories, the means of destruction are relaxed, and a very large increase takes place during the two or three months prior to the opening of these factories, which otherwise would not be allowed to exist. The certainty of a fair return holds out such inducements to both owners and professional rabbiters that they try every means to shirk the work of destruction, and thus the evil is from year to year continued. Natural Enemy. —Satisfactory reports still continue to be received of the work done by stoats, weasels, and ferrets. They are reported as having spread well over the country, and those seen appear in perfect health. A considerable mortality was experienced amongst the ferrets in the Kaikoura district during last winter : this is greatly to be regretted, as the satisfactory state of that district is almost, if not wholly, dependent on their work. If the proposed experimental laboratory in Sydney is established, advantage should be taken to try some experiments with a view to finding out a remedy for distemper. It is strongly recommended that settlers and others should keep a few tame ferrets and a supply of nets for the purpose of hunting where there are burrows or other holes: if this is systematically done, and the holes afterwards filled up, the trouble would be to a great extent got rid of. Bisulphide of carbon, trapping, poisoning, dogging, and shooting are all resorted to to try and reduce the pest. The bisulphide of carbon and trapping are both objectionable, it being impossible for the natural enemy to increase while these means are continued. Wire-netting. —A considerable extent has been erected during the past year, principally in Marlborough and Nelson, and is found of immense service in checking the spread of the rabbits. The experience already gained of fencing points to it as being one of the most effectual means of stopping the pest, therefore every encouragement should be held out for its further use. In the Auckland Province, generally, the rabbits do not seem to increase to any great extent. In the King-country the number of skins purchased during last year from the Natives shows an increase, and although, when lately through a portion of it, very few rabbits could be seen, yet traces were clearly visible. If this country could be well poisoned it is confidently expected a great reduction would result, but the difficulties at present in the way preclude taking this course. Hawke's Bay.— -The Babbit Board administer the Act in this district, and so far are reported as doing satisfactory work, being fully alive to the necessity of seeing the rabbits are destroyed. They employ several inspectors, as well as caretakers for the rabbit-fence which has been erected on the southern boundary of the district. Wellington — West Coast. —During the past year the North Wairarapa Babbit Board of Trustees petitioned the Governor to abolish the Board, and the country lately under its jurisdiction has consequently been taken up by this department. The rabbits are reported to be numerous on portions of the district lately under its control, but outside that boundary to be well in hand. On the west coast rabbits are spread over the coast lands as far as up Foxton, also a few patches further north, and where seen the settlers are taking active steps to destroy them.