EAST COAST RABBIT BOARD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3522, 13 May 1912, Page 2

EAST COAST RABBIT BOARD.

ORDINARY AIL-TING. The East Coast- Rabbit- Board met on Saturday. Present: Messrs E. jyi. Hutchinson (in. the chair), .1. C. Field, W. Ross, T. Holden, AY. G. Sherratt and AY. J. ITennessy {secretary). Air Ross, Government Fields Supervisor, reported on the boundaries. The question, lie said, of rabbits crossing the Molinka River would not bo discussed. That boundary was more effectual than any netted fence could be. As to the condition of Te Hau-rot-o the matter must be decided between the two -boards- A joint inspection by officers of each board would soon determine whether negligence was shown. Ho had no reason for making a complaint to his department. He went over the AA’aipunga boundary with Air Hutchinson. It might be altered between the two bridges -with mutual advantage, so as to include a narrow strip running between the road and the river. If the Hawke’s Bay Board did not fall in with this idea simultaneous , poisoning on each side of the road should •be arranged for. At the time of bis visit one side of the road-was poisoned and the other side remained untouched. He would not recommend any change of boundary from the bridge at Runanga to the bridge over Tarawera. Further, the road was a good and sufficient boundary, and one that was under close inspection by the travelling public. Reporting on the northern inspectorate lie said lie had been into the most remote and inaccessible parts oi portion under Inspector AfeGill, and had seen all the men at work. Unquestionably excellent- work was being done. In all likely places poison bad been laid and there was an undisputable improvement on the land he inspected and reported upon last year. Disturbing reports had from time to time been circulated as to the a-ppear-ame of rabbits at Ruatahuna and To AYiiaiti. His firm opinion was that the rabbits had been practically exterminated at- Te AYiiaiti, and that there was not one within five miles of the place. There were no rabbits at Ruatahuna, and there were no traces t-o be found at- Opot-iki. The work throughout w~as admirably controlled and proceeding under the most favorable conditions. He might add that he was particularly anxious to ascertain if-the rabbits bad -passed from the Pohokura bush towards Ngatapa and Te Hoe, or if there were a possibility of their getting through. AATth this end in view, accompanied by subinspector Alainland. a close examination of the country beyond the sources of the Rangitaiki and AVheao was undertaken. They proceeded to Alohaka. and inspected the Pukaluinui stream near to the main line of the bush, and apparently all traces of rabbits had disappeared. Still he was not satisfied with the inspection which needed to proceed further as they had not an opportunity of exploring a stream to ascertain if there was anv open country along its course- On discussing the matter with Air McGill he decided to -send Inspector Ale inland to continue the inspection from the point -where it had ended. Mr Alainland followed the stream far into the bush and he reported the country sodden witli rain and covered with moss showing no life of any sort. The country at the sources of the When., Rangitaiki and Pukahunia would require careful attention, as there was a -possibility, .remote, perhaps, of rabbits getting through to To Hoe by way of the last-named stream. In conclusion -Air Ross paid a high tribute to the manner in which the men worked.

The chairman thought that the Board - had made a mistake in fixing its original boundaries, but he did not think they should alter them so long as the Government returned the expenses of working Crown and Native lands.

Mr Holden reported on liis recent visit to Wairoa.. He said • that as long as the settlers in the Wairoa district did not neglect to cope with the rabbits there was little likelihood of rabbits spreading into the Poverty ■Ba-v district. He had told the settlers 'tillat unless they assisted the Hoard, the latter would- probably <woct a rabbit proof fence and make them appoint an inspector to look after their own property.

It was decided to have a,statement prepared showing the amount of rates collected in Wairoa.

Mr Hutchinson was elected DeputyChairman. -