Rabbit Inspectors

My mother had told me that George Hutton had lived in Parkes, New South Wales, and had been a rabbit inspector in the area.

A search in Trove - http://trove.nla.gov.au  was made for information about rabbit inspectors and if, possible, mention of George Hutton.

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL.

MOLONG. Wednesday.

The Molong Rabbit Board sat last night It was stated that rabbits are largely on the increase, and complaints are being made that owners are not acting up to the provisions of the Act. A number of applications for wire netting were receivel, but an intimation was received from the Government stating that funds were not yet available for this purpose. It was resolved to appoint, with the approval of the Minster, an assistant rabbit inspector at a salary of £100 per annuum
Sydney Morning Herald 29 June 1903 p3

RABBIT DESTRUCTION.

SUGGESTIONS FOR GOVERNMENT

ASSISTANCE.

MOLONG, Thursday.

A conference of delegates representing the Red Hill, Amaroo, Manildra, Pine Vale, and Cave Creek Progress Association, was held yesterday, for the purpose of discussing the rabbit question. Mr. R. S. Gosper occupied  the chair. The following resolutions were carried:-"That the Minister for Land be asked, through the Pastures Protection Board, to defray half the cost of the erection of wire netting fences on holdings adjoining unoccupied Crown lands; that this meeting is of opinion that the present Pastures Protection Board system is totally unworkable." It was also suggested that Molong rabbit district be subdivided into shires or divisions, under  local bodies; that all complaints relating to non-poisoning be reported to the local police, who shall have power to prosecute; that the Minister for Lands be asked to put by a sum of money for assisting  landholders to wire-net their holdings; that hares be proclaimed noxious animals; that the Pastures Protection Boards be asked to fix dates for simultaneous poisoning twice a month.  Mr. Andrew Anderdon was appointed general secretary. The delegates were entertained at dinner by the Manildra Progress Association.
Sydney Morning Herald Friday 24 February 1905 p4

In March 1905 the Molong Rabbit Inspector resigned and there were 28 applications for the position. Still not sure when George was appointed - it may have been at this time. He was definitey Rabbit Inspector for Molong in 1910.

LANDHOLDER'S COMPLAINT.

At the last meeting of the Molong P.P. Board, W. Frecklington, Bowen Park, wrote stating that rabbits were very numerous about that part, and that some people were battling hard to keep them down, while others did nothing, and he asked that the inspectors visit there. The inspectors, he said, never visited the locality, and he would like the Board to send one along. Inspector Hutton reported that he had made an inspection of the locality com plained of.

The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate 15 May 1914 p6

PASTURES PROTECTION.

MOLONG, Saturday.

At the last meeting of the Molong Pasture Protectton Board, Stock Inspector Finch reported that since the previous meet- ing he had travelled 313 miles, making 69 inspections. Rabbits did not appear to be increasing, though very littlo destructive work was being done by land-holders, and poison was not being taken by rabbits very well.
Holders seemed to be relying mainly on trappers, being otherwlse engaged themselves at hay-cutting and shearing. Good feed was in abundance throughout the district, and stock were in good condition The crops also were in good condition, but a day's rain would be beneficial to the late crops. Ten holdings were adversely reported upon, and one prose cution was ordered. One letter was received from the Warialda Board, asking co-operatlon in advocating that the proclamation regarding the non-poisoning of rabbits within 10 miles of a railway, be repealed; but no action was taken.
Sydney Morning Herald 29 Monday November 1915 p7

MOLONG.-At the last meeting of the Molong P.P. Board, the stock inspector (Mr. E. G. Finch) reported that since the previous meeting he had travelled 312 miles in 11 days and had made 47 inspections. Rabbits were numerous, especially on reserves and roads, but most owners had been doing a fair amount of poisoning and fumigating, and the rabbits were taking the poison very well. He reported two holders for neglecting to destroy rabbits. Pasturage was in fair to good condition in some parts of district, but in other parts it was very scarce. Owing to the late frosts and dry weather the wheat crops were very poor. Rabbit Inspector Hutton reported that he had travelled 304 miles since the previous meeting, and had made 45 inspections. He reported ten holders to be unsatisfactory, and recommended three owners for prosecution. The board decided to lay poison in reserves at a cost of £25, and to prosecute three holders reported by Inpector Hutton.

Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 23 December 1914 p9

Molong Rural Lands Protection Board District - map
http://www.lhpa.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/220452/Molong_RLPB_District.pdf
(Don't know date - almost certainly recent)


PP Board was the Pastoral Protection Board
NSW State Records - Information about the Pastures and Stock Protection Act 1880-1898 and subsequent acts plus records held of the the Bourke Pastures and Stock Protections Board
http://investigator.records.nsw.gov.au/Entity.aspx?Path=%5CAgency%5C5322