Rabbits

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Mr. H. S. King, continued.

382. By the Chairman: Then you do not think that either of those three proposed routes would be a bad line to carry fencing, and when I say a bad line I am simply saying it for the purpose of erecting a fence; you would get your timber reasonably close, and the fence erected would not likely to be covered up by a sand drift. How would it be for water along those lines?—That would be your difficulty, I think, in either of those lines. This is from the coast to the railway; on this line from Boorabbin there would not be much trouble, you would not be very far away; and for the first 50 miles South of Burracoppin. Anywhere South of that line, from there to the coast, I think you would have trouble to get water.

383. And except along the line there would be a great difficulty?—And even along the line.

384. By Hon. R. G. Burges: there are some good places?—There may be.

385. By the Chairman: How would the water do along the blue line South of Boorabbin?—I think you would have the same difficulty.

386. Hon. R. G. Burges: Worse.

387. By the Chairman: And that line, the 121st parallel, about the same?—Yes; that would be about the same.

388. I suppose there is a considerable amount of edible herbage all over the country that each of these lines will give?—Well, I cannot give any definite information on that matter as to the South, but I should imagine the principal herbage would be in granite patches rain.

389. I am not talking about good stock herbage, but herbage suitable for rabbits?—I was under the impression rabbits would eat anything.

390. Is there plenty of one stuff and another for them to eat?—I should certainly think so.

391. By Hon. R. G. Burges: What you describe as sand-plain country, there is plenty of herbage all over that?—Yes.

392. Have you ever had any experience of rabbits in any part of Australia?—I have been in an infested district, but I have had no practical experience of precautions taken against them.

393. You have seen the class of country they will devastate?—Yes.

394. From your experience of rabbits, do you think they could come along the class of country along which these fences are supposed to go?—I think so. On the South coast of Victoria, East of Warrnambool, there is a good deal of country rather similar to our sand tracks; healthy country, no good for stock; covered with low, scrubby heath, rabbits flourish there.

395. Rabbits flourish there?—Very rapidly.

396. You would call that similar country to plenty of country we have here?—Except that there is not so much moisture. There would be more moisture at Warrnambool.

397. Mr. King, is there any information you think you could give us that would help us with regard to advising a line of fence? Do you think you could suggest from your knowledge of the country any more suitable line of fence than we have already indicated to you; quite independent of where the rabbits are, but somewhere in those parts? Do you think these are as good lines as could be got in various directions, or would you suggest that the lines be not taken in those directions for certain geographical or other reasons?—Well, on the spur of the moment I am not prepared to say they are the best. It would require a little consideration to consider the best line, not only for class of country, but the facilities of erecting the fence.

398. Do you think you could prepare a short report, and if we call you again, put in that report? I mean to say that if you find, on considering the matter, that you cannot propose a better fence, you may let us know?—Certainly.

399. But if you can suggest for some reason or other a better fence, that would meet our purposes. You generally know where the rabbits are supposed to be, and it may be of help to us?—Yes, it may be. I would be very pleased to do that.

400. How long would that take to work out?—Two or three days. I will see if I can suggest anything better. I take it you want to exclude as much occupied country as possible.

401. Yes, as possible. We want to get a reasonably easy line; a fence from several points of view, with a view either to water or timber, or we want to be in fairly hard country. We want to get out of soft country, if possible. The harder the country is the less chance there is of the rabbits getting in it.

402. Mr. Richardson: And we want to exclude all rabbits.

403. Hon. R. G. Burges: and you want to get alongside settlement as soon as you can.

404. Mr. D. Forrest: The question of water would be of advantage, too. Have you any permanent water running?

405. The Chairman: Water is so unreliable.

406. Witness: Oh, yes; it is very very hard to say where the water is.

(The witness retired.)