Rabbits

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Mr. J. M. Craig. continued

208. By Mr. Richardson: What are they?—Iguanas, cats, hawks. Then there are dogs and snakes, neither of which you can protect.

209. By the Chairman: When were rabbits known to have crossed the South Australian border into this State?—That is a question I cannot answer. I have looked up the correspondence, and there is nothing to show when they did. Reports came in, but there is nothing to show that the reports had any foundation. There is nothing to show that we had any actual knowledge of rabbits being here until about 1895 or 1896.

210. By Mr. Richardson: It was 1895.—It was 1895, was it?

211. I sent out an expedition in 1896?—Then it was about 1895.

212. What is the farthest point of migration since that date?—We have recently discovered them at Yerilla.

213. That is the farthest point?—Yes; but would not Norseman be the most Westerly?

214. Coolgardie?—Coolgardie.

215. You say they are as far West as Coolgardie, and as far North as Yerilla?—Yes.

216. What distance do you calculate they have travelled in that time?—Since 1895?

217. Since 1895, when they crossed at Eucla?—About 450 miles.

218. Where to?—To Yerilla from Eucla. I think Mr. White is of opinion they came across the South Australian border.

219. The Coolgardie rabbits are supposed to have come straight across. At all events, taking 450 miles, that would give us a rate of progress of 90 miles a year?—One hundred miles a year.

220. Make it 90 miles a year?—Say 100 miles.

221. Have you noticed their increase in numbers, and to what extent?—No; we have not, except along the coast, where they have increased; but the reports vary so.

222. But still we may say they have increased, because we find new colonies every year?—We know they have been established at Widgiemooltha now getting on for over three years, and have not increased very much there on the best patches.

223. I am not asking that, but whether you have noticed their increase in numbers, and to what extent?—We cannot say how much they established themselves there to commence with.

224. Of course.—So they may have decreased and not increased.

225. But would the founding of new colonies not prove they had increased?—We know they have decreased or migrated in many instances.

226. By Mr. Harper: This is the point: Do you mean by "increase" that they have travelled, or that they have bred?—Increased in numbers.

227. By the Chairman: But although they have long existed, you cannot say whether they have increased in these isolated places?—It is impossible to say.

228. Since your first notice of them, does the country show traces of their presence?—Yes.

229. To what extent have you travelled in the infested parts?—Not at all.

230. By Hon. R. G. Burges: You cannot give any information as to where they came from to Yerilla?—No; Mr. White would be able to give some evidence.

231. He has not been there?—He has either been there or sent a man there, and I do not know whether he has returned.

232. By the Chairman: From your knowledge of the infested parts, are they to any extent the home of the natural enemies of the rabbits, viz., the eaglehawk, cat, wild dog, iguana, and crow?—Cats are there, I know.

233. By Mr. Richardson: Cats are all over the State?—All over. Mr. Carnegie told me he found cats right across the desert.

234. Are the natives numerous in the infested parts?—I do not think they are.

235. This is a question I do not know whether you can answer: Have the rabbits crossed into this State from South Australia at more than one point?—I could not say.

236. I suppose you have gone into the matter of fencing?—Yes.

237. What height of fence and width of mesh ought to be adopted?—I would suggest that set forth in the little work I handed in to the Commission (Morgan).

238. I see I have a note "read Morgan, page 43, on barrier fences."—There are some notes I put on a piece of paper.

239. The fence proposed there is a netting 42 inches high, with a mesh of 1½ inches in diameter, and a 17 inch gauge wire?—Others say 1½ inch is not quite small enough.

240. It appears that the majority of fences are made 1½ inches because the 1¼ inch are so much more expensive?—Yes.

241. And the difference in the mesh is so small that it does not matter?—That is it.

242. By Mr. Wittenoom: Are there any further particulars as to fencing?—There is full and complete information given there.

243. By the Chairman: Generally speaking, the fence that this man writes about is the fence that it would be desirable to erect?—I should think so. He is a man with any amount of experience.