67 



Mr. T. BROWN, M.L.A. (Budgerabong), moved that the "minimum fines" be struck out and the 

 " maximum fines " retained in clause 45. He thought this matter could be safely left to the Board. 



Mr. HEBDEN seconded Mr. Brown's resolution. 



The question was put and carried. 



Mr. T. BROWN, M.L.A. (Budgerabong), moved that the words " and the existence of rabbits on any 

 private holding or land shall be prima facie evidence that the owner or occupier thereof (as the case may be) 

 has failed to fully and continuously perform such duty to the best of his means and ability " be struck out. 



Mr. FLANAGAN (Gunbar) seconded the motion. 



The question was put to the meeting and carried. 



Mr. BHOWN, M.L.A. (Budgerabong), moved that Clause 45, as amended, be passed. 



Mr. HEBDEN seconded the proposal. 



The question was put to the meeting and carried. 



Clause 46. 



Natural enemy of rabbits. 



46. The Governor may from time to time, by proclamation in the Gaxette, declare any 

 animal, bird, or reptile to be a natural enemy of the rabbit, and prohibit within districts 

 (whether Eabbit Districts or not) to be specified in such proclamation the wounding, killing, or 

 capturing, selling or disposing of any such animal, bird, or reptile without a special permit in 

 that behalf, and may from time to time correct, modify, or revoke any such proclamation. 



Any proclamation issued under the Eabbit Act of 1890, whereby any animal, bird, or 

 reptile was declared to be a natural enemy of the rabbit, shall continue in force according to the 

 tenor thereof, unless and until revoked under the provisions of this section. 



Any person who without lawful authority (the proof of which shall be on the person 

 claiming to have the same) wounds, kills, captures, or sells or disposes of any animal, bird, or 

 reptile declared to be a natural enemy of the rabbit shall be liable to a penalty of not less than 

 two nor more than twenty pounds. 



Mr. DATIES (Gunnedah) thought the word " capturing " should be left out. He said if they had 

 spring-traps they were more likely to catch the iguana and the snake than the rabbit. He thought they 

 should provide that no trap should be used that was absolutely destructive to life. If they had tip-traps, 

 and the natural enemy of the rabbit got in one, a neighbour who had a down on any man could get him 

 fined. He thought spring-traps should not be used at all, for if the natural enemy of the rabbit got into 

 the teeth of a spring-trap he would be destroyed. 



Mr. OAKDEN (Cobar) moved that the word " wilfully " be put in before the word " wounds." 



Mr. J. M. ATKINSON pointed out that the word " wilfully " would not do it. If they dug a hole 

 or set a trap they did it " wilfully." It should be " intentionally." 



Mr. WILKES (Broken Hill) seconded Mr. Oakden's amendment. 



Mr. DAVIES (Gunnedah) moved that the setting of spring-traps, or any trap absolutely destructive 

 to life, be prohibited. 



Mr. FREEMAN seconded Mr. Davies' amendment. 



Mr. FLANAGAN (Gunbar) opposed that. In his district there was a rabbit factory which had 

 people trapping 10,000 rabbits a day. Would that not be more than the iguanas they would kill ? It 

 would be dangerous to hinder traps to be set for rabbits. 



Mr. WJLKES (Broken Hill) pointed out lhat Mr. Davies' amendment would not apply in all cases. 

 In his district they must set traps for the native dogs. 



Mr. CAMERON (Ivanhoe) pointed out that if this were carried, not only would the owners of land 

 be prevented from using spring-traps, but they would be prevented from using any other method of 

 killing rabbits which would be inimical to the life of the natural enemy. In many districts of the Colony 

 the most efficient manner of destroying rabbits was the use of poisoned water, and yet this was dangerous 

 to the natural enemy. 



Mr. A. BROWN (Narrabri) pointed out that native cats came about the houses and destroyed 

 chickens and so on, and in his district nothing would live unless they killed the native cats. He thought 

 an exception should be made with regard to killing " about household premises or yards." When they 

 found native cats or iguanas destroying the poultry about the homesteads they must kill them. 



The CHAIRMAN said he thought they would kill them all the same. 



A MEMBER : Wire-fence the fowls. 



Mr. A. BROWN (Narrabri) moved an amendment " except within 100 yards of a dwelling house." 



Mr. LAURENCE (Balranald) said that foxes were the natural enemy of the rabbit, and he wished to 

 know if they were to be allowed to spread all over the country. 



Mr. CUDMORE (Wentworth) said that if Mr. Brown had had as much experience with the rabbits 

 as he had had, he would be glad to protect the wild cats, and put the fowls in a glass case. 



Mr. OAKDEN (Cobar) seconded Mr. A. Brown's amendment, which was then put to the meeting and lost. 



Mr. DAVIES' (Gunnedah) amendment was then put and lost by a large majority. 



Mr. OAKDEN (Cobar) moved that the word " wilfully " be put in line 42, and in line 33 before 

 the word " wounding " and the word " wounds." 



Mr. WILKES (Broken Hill) seconded the resolution, which was then put and carried. 



Mr. T. BROWN, M.L.A. (Budgerabong), moved that in line 45 the minimum fines be struck out. 



This was put to the meeting and carried. 



Clause 46, as amended, was then put to the meeting and carried. 



Clause 47. 



Burning tvitJiout notice during winter months. 



47. For the purpose of destroying or suppressing rabbits, any owner or occupier, may, 

 at any time, with the consent of the Kabbit Board first had and obtained, notwithstanding 

 anything in any Act contained, burn or ignite any straw, stubble, grass, herbage, scrub, wood, 

 or other inflammable material on his land subject to conditions to be imposed by the Board. 

 Clause 47, as printed, was put to the meeting and carried. Clause 



