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Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2139, 23 July 1907, Page 4

THE RABBIT QUESTION. Kfei'ORTS. At the meeting ,of the Gisborno blanch of the Earmer's’ Union on Saturday, the following reports regarding rahb'ts addressed by 'district Stock inspectors to tile Chief Inspector ,>f SlockWo!!ingtoil, were received: — In reply lo jour memo ol the iiolli inrt. if can confidently be assumed that tine are ~o ftibbilis' at- '|>res»ll* within the boundnruts ' 1 i his,district, and mi special inspection is necessary, 'l'hi' danger tT them- reiiclmg here trim' the North has been brought under notice by Messrs Common Shelton and Co’s letter, ?.ir. W. CWs statomcn t ‘ locals upped ring ill thfe loon] Pros*. ns the 1 result, ol remarks hi '’Gisborne residents who have visited OpoUH at alio..- fine. i the appateiil. indiiierenco ol tiers there to the existence of rabbits on the sand-hills. Inspector Thomson who knows the Opotiki' district well, is of opinion that any serious increase of rabbi ■ there would mean an invasion into this district, as there is tree access along a grassy route. —W. Miller, Gisborno.” “1 have to report that, on tho 20th and 21st inst. in company with Inspector Hurskill, 1 made an inspection of the country of Opotiki, wliero it lias boon stated that rabbits are numerous. Wo found that rabbits are practically confined to the sand-hills, a narrow strip along the const, somo six miles long, between Opotiki and tho mouth of the \Vaihou River. Traces of rabbits are' found all the way, but they appear to be loss minierolls than years ago.. AY<s actually only say two live rabbits. Most traces were to bo found about somo thick patches of gorsc on the sand-hills at the loot of tho Tirohanga Valley, oven tliore they do not-' appear uuiii-oi-ous. as the voting crop nlongsido was not affected. Wo -wont up this valley for a considerable distance, but saw no traces, either in tlio valloy or about- tlio foot-hills. Several settlers on the table-lands adjoining stated that- there were ho rabbits inland of the coast sand-hills. If the rabbits followed the Motu track as anticipated, they would strike tlio Waihou River, and as this is a fair sized stream I am of opinion they would not cross, but would follow up on the West side and Would there be mot within a. few miles, by virgin unpenetrable bush. We went up the Motu track for several miles, crossing and recrossing the Waihou river, and made a careful inspection of the river flats and likely looking places, having a dog with us, but saw no rabbits or traces of rabbits. We also made an inspection of the East side of the Waihou River for a mile or two, to Omara-a-mutu, but saw no traces of rabbits, and we were told by Maoris and settlers that no rabbits have ever been seen on the East side, which shows that- they have not crossed the river. I was told by a. prominent settler and reliable authority, who travels the road often, early and late, that the most lie had seen at any time was ten, about the sand-hills. Tho townspeople go there for shooting and no doubt this has helped to keep them uiulpr. Rabbits are apparently confined to the sand-hills and I do not think there is any present .danger. I enclose a map of the district. I

have marked the part's we inspected, also where rabbits wore seen. The blue crosses mark two spots where I was told an odd rabbit has been seen. J. Duncan, Auckland.” “Complying with your instructions contained in L. and A. 07—95 I have the honor of submitting to you, in diary form a report, on Maungatnniwlia Block anil lands in Moliaka Basin. On Tuesday 21st May I left Napier for Moliaka travelling through Tangoio Native lands Outline-Smiths, part of Putorino, Glenbrook and Kakariki to Moha'ka, where Inspector Webb of Wairoa awaited my arrival. This day I saw no indications' of rabbits. Wednesday'22nd. In company with Inspector Webb and Mr. Carlyon of IVlaungataniwha, who kindly returned with me thougli on his road to Wairoa, I made a careful inspection of Native block 27,000 acres, lying along north bank of Moliaka, as far as Putere. " This block was originally subdivided into two runs leased, the one by Braithwaite and the other by Balfour. On the expiry of the leages the Maoris resumed occupation ana tin land has gone back almost to its natural state. Thursday 23. I oit

Putere (Brandon’s) and travelled to Maungataniwha inspecting the latter proper ty to the bush lino. From the clearing to the back boundary on Te Hoo Rivor is several miles. This block runs almost fro))), the Mohaka the Waiau and a considerable part of the bush land is unknown country. It extends from near Tarawera to the Urewera, It was my intention to inspect the line of the proposed rabbit fence, but I found tliis could not be done from the Maungataniwha side of the Mohaka. There are no rabbits on Maungataniwha, nor on tftsU sijie of the Mohaka. Friday 24th. Returned and i)isneptied Putere to its boundary with Maungatamwhn and busk lands on Mohaka faces. Saturday 25th. Returned through Native lands to Mohaka. Crossed the river to Danvpney’s ran. No rabbits on tins country. Sunday 26th. Inspecting Kakariki. Saw no traces of rabbits, but Inspector Webb informed me there had been a few caught on the boundary between that run, Ross’s and Anaru, occupied by Iveefe Bros. Also inspected part of ri)U .occupied by Ross. 'Monday 27th,. Left Willow Flat (Ross) and inspected clearing known as PopplewelTs crossing the Mohaka river in a cage. A swingbridge will shortly be built here. On this clearing (it is said) J. Ross caught a rabbit about 9 months ago. After many infections no traces have been found. It is quite safe to say there are no rabbits there now, and inspector Webb and Agent King doubt the statement concerning the catching of a rabbit there by young Ross. Ross and Brandon were agitating for the erection of a rabbit-proof fence at the time, fearing invasion of rabbits from Andrew’s country on the eastern side of the To Hoc River. After inspecting Popplewell’s I wont along the Limestones, seeing a few traces of rabbits, as far as a whare on the Maungaharuru, whore we camped. From this side of the river 1 was able to closely examine the line of the proposed fence. It was intended to run it for a distance of four miles form the Mohaka river into the dense bush on Maungataniwha. I am convinced there is no present necessity for such a fence. There is a barrier of about 6 miles of very broken bush country between the nearest point to which rabbits have been traced and Popplewell’s. clearing (20 acres) occupied by Ross. Ross also lias a* clearing of 150 acres almost adjoining. Between Ross’s clearing and Putere there is a belt of almost impassable bush extending for well on to 5 miles. There is also a considerable belt of bush between Maungataniwha boundary and Ross’s extending to about. 5 miles. Tuesday 28th. Awaking found the country covered with snow. Decided to cross over Mangaharuru range to see the country across the Te Hoe river where one rabbit had been seen and traces by Insjiector Webb and the Board’s. Inspector as far back as 1904. al am now writing of Andrew’s Country. For the last 2 years no traces have been found here. It may be safely concluded that' rabbits are extinct between the Waipimga and Te Hoo Rivers. You will thus understand that there is a belt of open country say 5 miles in extent and also a belt of impassable bush of 6 miles between tlie nearest rabbit on Te Haroto and tlie clearing called Popplewell’s. Also that Maungataniwha and Putere are isolated by a bush barrier that is equally impassable At j) resent the northern bank of the Mohaka could onlv be invaded by rabbits crossing the river. There will be no danger until it is spanned by bridges. On the top of Maungalmruru range, in the snow, traces of rabbits were seen and also on King’s adjoining. Tait and Mill’s property (Titiolcura) seemed rather badly infested, that is where the track touches the Mohaka River. Poison had been laid on the flat near tlio Taupo road, but I should not say that- it had been very effective This day we reached Poliui with some difficulty, completing a successful inspection, which entirely diproves the statement made by Mr. Lvsnar and others. There is no bush being felled* that- will weaken the 'existing barrier between the cleanand the rabbit, infested country. A report form Chief Inspector Amyes is sent for your information. It is confirmed by our officers, and by the result of my own tour of inspection. I am sending you a map that will assist you to follow this report. You must not take all the boundaries as being correct, but they are sufficeritly accurate for present purposes. I will make an inspection of tlie countrv from Waikaremoana to Galatea as soon as possible.—D. Ross Napier.” “With reference to the threatenI ed invasion of rabbits from the south into the Wairoa-Gisborne District, I can give you a few facts, as far as the country under the Hawke’s 'Bay Rabbit-Board is concerned, facts tluit I defy anyone to disprove. Rabbits are not to be found one yard further north than they were two years ago. With the exception of Rakamoana there are ninety j)er cent less rabbits north of the Napier-Tau-po road than, there were two years a irj , and they are still decreasing. A° gang of men are now employed poisoning on Rakamoana and the results are most satisfactory. u hen

this piosoniug is completed anil sonio patch work done the wliolo of the country mentioned will be a most satisfactory state. The portion of To Haro to in tlio Board’s district, i.e. tho portion south of tlio NapierTaupo road, is very freo from rabbits. Ido not nay it is absolutely clear, but it is ns cloar ns it evor w'-l bo.-—Herbert Amycs, Taradale.