3

H.—l3

acres, but of this a large area is bush: thirty thousand acres requires poisoning, and about twelve thousand acres Native Lands. (7:), (8.), (9.) Nil. (10.), (11.) Six. (12.), (13.), (14.), (15.), (16.) Nil.

From Sub-Inspector J. Deummond, Masterton. (1.) Poisoning; killing with dogs, ferrets, and nets ; trapping; shooting; digging out burrows ; fumigating with bisulphide of carbon; erecting rabbit-proof fencing ; clearing bush and scrub lands. (2.) Turning-out in large numbers of the natural enemies. (3.) The dry spring and summer has been greatly in favour of the pest increasing. Taking the Wairarapa as a whole, I believe rabbits are more numerous than I have ever seen them before, the increase being confined to portions of Wairarapa North. (4.) Eighteen. (5.) £240 ss. (6.) No defined reserves of Crown Land. Approximate area which requires attention, sixty thousand acres, mostly bush; about twenty thousand acres available for grazing: Native Lands requiring attention, about twelve thousand acifes. (7.) 361b. (8.) Nil. (9.) 201b. (10.) Six. (11.) Six. (12.), (13.) Nil. (14.) Five, but only in small numbers, for ferreting. (15.) Nil. (16.) None. The ferrets turned out in previous years have been doing good work, but the prevalence T>f distemper has discouraged breeders. General Remarks. — I believe an amendment of " The Eabbit Act, 1886," enabling settlers to form districts for rating purposes only, with a view to introducing natural enemies, but without giving them other executive powers, such as are held under Parts 11. and 111. of the Act, would find favour in this district. Settlers seem to object to the working of the Act being handed over again to trustees. I am of opinion that every encouragement should be given to the erection of rabbit-proof fencing by making such fencing legal under the Fencing Act. As population is admitted to be one of the greatest safeguards against the spread of rabbits, the settlement of Crown Lands should be encouraged in every way.

Maelbobough-Nelson Disteict. Sie, — Sheep Inspector's Office, Blenheim, 17th April, 1889. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual rabbit report of the MarlboroughNelson District for the year ended the 31st March, 1889, together with replies from myself and Sub-Inspectors to the queries referred to in circular. Nearly all the rabbit-infested country is now under the jurisdiction of the Awatere Eabbit Board. Fairly good work was done in some places last winter, though in others it has not been so satisfactory as I should like to have seen it. Trapping and shooting for the factories is now going on, which must reduce the numbers; but I cannot say I approve of this industry, as it tends to preserve rather than eradicate the pest. Poisoning on the higher country has commenced. There are three blocks of Crown lands—about ten thousand acres—that will require poisoning this autumn. A thousand stoats and weasels were liberated by the Awatere Eabbit Board. I have, &c, T. G. Eichaedson, Inspector. The Hon. the Minister of Lands (Stock Branch), Wellington.

(1.) Phosphorized grain, shooting, and trapping. (2.) Trappers should not be allowed upon large properties for the purpose of supplying factories. (3.) Fairly good during last winter, as the poisoning was a general success, but since the summer rabbits have increased greatly. Trapping rabbits for the factories is now being carried on extensively. (4.), (5.) Nil. (6.) Three blocks—about eleven thousand acres in all—known as Camden No. 2, unoccupied Crown lands at head of Tone Eiver ; and unoccupied Crown lands, Wairau River bed : all country of little value for grazing purposes. (7.) 51b., sent to Cape Campbell. (8.) Nil. (9.) 301b. (10.), (11.), (12.), (13.) Nil. (14.) One. (15.) Fifty ; fairly good. (16.) About 850.

From Sub-Inspector A. K. Blundell, Nelson. (1.) Phosphorized grain chiefly; also trapping, hunting, shooting, and digging out burrows. (2.) Nil. (3.) In some places the rabbits have decreased ; in others, there was a slight increase; but they are now taking the poison very freely, and there is a marked improvement. (4.) One. (5.) £2. (6.) Several small blocks of abandoned country, containing in all a thousand to fifteen hundred acres. (7.) 2-Jlb. (8.) 40|lb. (9.) 1031b. (10.), (11.), (12.), (13.), (14.), (15.), (16.) Nil. General Remarks. —l find that the most effectual way to lay poison where the holdings are small, as in this district, is to turn over a sod with a grubber or spade, and lay the poison on the newlyturned soil. By this means the rabbits can be induced to take the poison at any season of the year.

Cantekbuby-Kaikouea District. Sir, — Sheep Inspector's Office, Christchurch, 22nd April, 1889. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual rabbit report of the Canterbury-Kaikoura District for the year ended the 31st Marclr, 1889, together with replies from myself and SubInspectors to the queries referred to in circular. The natural enemies liberated and the poisoning done by the department, together with the efforts of private owners, have Seen to some extent effectual in keeping the rabbits in check to the south of the Tasman. In Canterbury, between the Government rabbit fence and that erected by the Hurunui Eabbit Board, the few rabbits which exist are not increasing, and, being of the semi-tame species, are easily dealt with.