H.—2

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

METHODS FOR DIMINISHING THE RABBIT NUISANCE (PAPERS RELATING TO).

Presented to both Souses of the General Assembly by Command of Sis Excellency. No. 1. The A gent-General to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. 7, Westminster Chambers, Victoria Street, "Westminster, S.W., Sir, — 15th November, 1876. I have the honor to inclose to you a copy of a letter which I have received from Mr. Alfred Newton, of Magdalene College, Cambridge, Professor of Zoology in the. University, suggesting a method which he has known to be tried with advantage for diminishing the number of rabbits on the property of Mr. Bartlett, of Thetford; and I append a copy of my reply. 2. Mr. Campbell, of Buscot, having announced his intention of sending a number of stoats to the colony for the purpose of being enlarged on an estate much overrun with rabbits, an inquiry was addressed to me by the Colonial Office as to the necessity for proceeding to such extreme measures. I submitted, in reply, a copy of the Parliamentary Paper on the Eabbit Nuisance (N.Z., 1876,1. 5.), to exhibit the extent of damages which the propagation of these animals has caused. 3. The method suggested by Mr. Newton may perhaps be beneficially tried in particular localities. I will forward, as soon as I receive them, the further plans and information which he promises to send me. . I have, &c, W. Tyrone Power, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Agent-General. Enclosure 1 in No. 1. Mr. Newton to the Agent-General. Sir, — Magdalene College, Cambridge, sth November, 1876. My brother-in-law, Mr. Charles Cox, has sent me your letter to him of the 3rd instant, in reference to a suggestion.l made to him with regard to a mode of catching rabbits, which it seems to me might well be tried in New Zealand. This mode was successfully used for many years some time ago by Mr. Bartlett of Thetford, then the occupier of one of the largest rabbit-warrens in England. Mr. Bartlett has since left Thetford, and I am not certain where he is now living, but I hope in a few days to be in possession of his address, when I will immediately communicate the information to you. Though, from living in the neighbourhood, and constantly visiting his warren, I was then very familiar with the method used, so long a time has since elapsed that I fear I should be unable to describe the apparatus quite correctly. It is exceedingly simple, but yet requires a somewhat nicety of construction to insure its working well. I am therefore desirous that you should get precise particulars of it from Mr. Bartlett himself, but in the meantime I will trv to give you some notice of it. I—H. 2.