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1876. NEW ZEALAND.

RABBIT NUISANCE COMMITTEE, (REPORT OF THE).

Brought up on 29th August, and ordered to he printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the Souse of Representatives. Thursday, the 20th day of July, 1876. Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into tbe Babbit Nuisance, with power to call for persons and papers, to take evidence and report. Sucli Committee to consist of Mr. Andrew, Mr. Bunny, Mr. Wason, Mr. Seymour, and the Mover; three to form a quorum, and report to be brought up within one month. — (Mr. Hodgkinson.) Wednesday, the 26th day op July, 1876. Ordered, That the names of Mr. W. Wood and Mr. Manders be added to the Select Committee on the Rabbit Nuisance. — (Mr. Hodgkinson.) Ordered, That the name of Mr. Larnach be added to the Committee for inquiry into the Rabbit Nuisance.— (Mr. Hodgkinson.) Ordered, That the petitions of Pastoral tenants of the Crown and freeholders of Southland, Farmers and residents of Southland, and Settlers in the Waianiwha District, Southland, be referred to the Select Committee on the Rabbit Nuisance. — (Mr. Kelly.) Friday, the 28th day of July, 1876. Ordered, That the statement by the Southland Pastoral Association, relative to the rabbit nuisance, laid upon the table this day, be referred to the Rabbit Nuisance Committee. — (Hon. Major Atkinson.) Tuesday, the Bth day of August, 1876. Ordered, That the petition of Owners and occupiers of land at Mataura be referred to the Rabbit Nuisance Committee. —(Mr. Kelly.) Friday, the 11th day of August, 1876. Ordered, That the petition of Residents of Winton and Forest Hill District be referred to the Select Committee on the Rabbit Nuisance. — (Mr. T. Kelly) Thursday, the 17th day of August, 1876. Ordered, That the petition of Owners and occupiers of laud in the Electoral District of Mataura be referred to the Committee appointed to consider the rabbit nuisance.— (Mr. W. Wood.)

REPORT. The Select Committee appointed to inquire into the Rabbit Nuisance have the honor to report, that they have carefully studied the reports of inquiries into the subject in the Australian colonies, in New Zealand, and elsewhere. They have also examined a sufficient number of witnesses to confirm beyond doubt the facts of the case. The mischief already done is most serious, is increasing, and, unless some effectual remedy be adopted, is likely to increase. The Committee recommend that a Bill should be introduced into the Legislature, without delay, to establish an inexpensive machinery, by which the owners or occupiers of land may be compelled to keep in check the increase of rabbits on their holdings. The Committee are of opinion that such a Bill might be extended so as to include pi^s and probably other noxious animals. I—l. 5.