1402

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

[Ост. 8

In country infested with the rabbit not only is the pasture soiled, but the constant disturbance of the
stock in destroying the pest enfeebled the sheep to such a degree that they were in no condition to withstand
the unusually severe winter.

From personal observation when in Southland during last month, I deem it my duty to draw the
attention of the Government to this evil, which has, without doubt, not only spread to such an extent as to
have seriously crippled the pastoral interest in Southland, but is slowly and surely spreading throughout
Otago proper.

Where the country is well settled, and the land brought under cultivation, it is possible to keep the
nuisance somewhat under control, provided there is not any bush affording them shelter; but on a great
portion of the runs, which can never be anything but purely pastoral country, it has reached such an extent
that I am afraid is beyond being successfully grappled with.

I may mention that on one property it is estimated that 30 men and 600 dogs are employed in the
destruction of rabbits. What this means on a sheep-run needs no explanation, and a similar state of things
exists on all runs where there are rabbits.

It is to be expected that, as the leases of the runs expire, the present holders will naturally relax their
efforts during the last year or two of their tenure, putting the loss in carrying capacity against the
expenditure required to keep the rabbits down.

The result will be that, when the time arrives for putting these tracts up for re-leasing, their value
will be very seriously depreciated; and I have no hesitation in saying that many of them will be almost
valueless, unless some means are devised to check the evil.

Possibly some good might be effected by offering bonuses for cheap and effective methods of rabbit
destruction, either chemical or mechanical. I witnessed at the Castle Rock Station the use of bi-sulphate
of carbon, which has been found very successful there; and I believe that wherever burrows in stiff clay
soil exist it will be very efficacious. There is great difficulty, however, in obtaining this chemical; but I
am informed that plant is now on its way, so that it may be manufactured in the colony.

Considering the interests involved, I deemed it advisable to report thus fully on the subject, rather
than embody it in my letter referred to above.

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

I have, &c.,
&c.,
B. P. BAYLY,
Chief Inspector of Sheep, Otago District.

Sheep Inspector's Office, Dunedin, 6th May, 1879.

SIR,—I have the honor to submit for your consideration the following departmental report on the
different subdivisions of the Otago Sheep District, and suggesting an alteration in the present organization,
which appears to me to be necessary for the proper carrying out of the provisions of "The Sheep Act,
1878," and the regulations thereunder now received.

The Southland Subdivision comprises the extreme south and west of the Otago District, and is a very
extensive one to work. I estimate it to contain about 7,000 square miles of country, a large proportion of
which is taken up for agricultural and pastoral purposes; and there are about 160 owners, large and small,
who are scattered throughout the whole area.

Invercargill, where the Inspector resides, is the terminus of the railway, and the Bluff the first port of
call for all steamers from the Australian Colonies. By these steamers, averaging one per week, stock is
frequently brought, necessitating the Inspector being within reach, in order to inspect the same before
landing.

This important duty interferes very seriously with his general usefulness as supervisor of his district,
without a thorough knowledge of which a considerable portion of the sheep assessment will be evaded.

The most distant portions of this district will occupy, in the journey and return, from ten to fourteen
days, and the Inspector having so large a district to supervise, together with a port and railway terminus
requiring constant attention, is placed in such a position that he must neglect either the port or his
district, and, therefore, is rendered unable to carry out the regulations under the new Act for the guidance
of officers.

In order to remedy this matter I beg to recommend the appointment of an Inspector at the port of
the Bluff, to act when the district Inspector is absent; such Inspector to be paid either a small annual
salary, or at so much per inspection. The former plan would, I believe, be the most preferable.

The Tapanui Subdivision is about half the area of Southland. The number of owners is 176, a large
proportion of whom are small owners, and, as it is a large agricultural district, the number may be
anticipated to increase annually. It is a difficult district to work, as very little rail traverses the district
yet, and the roads in winter are nearly impassable: last winter they were so for weeks.

The Nokomai, Tuapeka, and Switzer's Gold Fields are within this subdivision, and many of the small
owners are adjacent to the mining centres, consequently the supervision of these is more expensive than the
ordinary routine of duty.

The Dunstan Subdivision is entirely inland, and is very extensive, being fully as large in area as
Southland, and comprises the Wakatipu, Dunstan, Mount Ida, Mount Benger, and Taieri Gold Fields.
There are about 100 owners, the majority of whom are holders of large runs, there being at present compara-
tively few agricultural holdings.

Owing to the physical features of the country, easy travelling is rendered impossible, and the difficulties
are very great. There is not yet any railway, and contingent expenses
are heavy owing to the distance inland, this subdivision forming a considerable portion of the north boundary
of the sheep district.

The Oamaru Subdivision is about half the area of Tapanui, and contains within its boundary about 115
owners. The Inspector has very important duties to perform, having charge of a port of entry, and also the
most-used boundary-crossing with the Canterbury Sheep District, both by road and rail. His constant