1912
30 December1912
BIG HAUL OF RABBITS.
About two months ago the Mudgee Freezing Works established a receiving depot for rabbits at Cudgegong. To show the enormity of the number of rabbits in this vicinity, Mr. W. Suttor, of Warrungunyah, has just taken off his property 18,000 members of the bunny family. Notwithstanding this large number, the rabbits seem to be as thick as ever1
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1914
30 April 1914
A depot for receiving rabbits will shortly be established here. Mr. G. Byers will be in charge, and will make trips daily with his van to Gulgong railway station. The van will accommodate 1000 pairs2
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1917
9 August 1917
Rylstone News.
(From Our Special.)
Rabbiters and Landowners' Meeting.
The above meeting called for August 4 was a representative one. There were fully 8o present, amongst them being Messrs. A. Dunn (Dunnville), F. Mason, (Tea Tree), J. Lloyd (Westview), T. Lloyd (Ferndale), S. Jackson, (Marloo), W. S. Suttor and Suttor, jun. (Warrangunyah), Curry and McQuiggan (Pinnacle Swamp), P. Farrelly, Farrelly Bros. (Flatlands), J. McLachlan (Camboon), J. Sheridan (Glen Alice), J. Sheridan (Glen Lee), A. McDonald (Bogie), L. McLachlan (Camboon), W. R. Jones (Fernside), A. Keech (Camboon). A telegram was read from Mr. James Jennings (Toolamanang) expressing sympathy with the movement. Mr. W. R. Jones was voted to the chair. In explaining the object of the meeting, the chairman said that the time had arrived in the opinion of the landowners that they should receive some consideration out of the rabbit carcases, and with that end in, view they decided to meet the rabbiters in an endeavour to arrive at an amicable arrangement by which the royalty could be obtained without oppressing the trapper. He assured the trappers that they (the landowners) were in no way antagonistic to them, but they were thoroughly determined to have their interest in the trade based on a practical consideration. Every landowner held ample knowledge of how much trapping assisted him to get rid of the rabbit; it needed no explanation to tell them of if. So long as it suited the trapper it was alright from his point of view, but the landowner had no redress. He simply had to clear up what the trapper did not consider worthwhile. That was manifestly an unfair position, and the landowners did not intend to submit to it any longer. The main object of the meeting was to secure the co-operation of the trappers in a request to the freezing works, for a royalty, and if they could not agree, well, then, the landowners would have to take the matter up themselves, and fight their own case. He urged the trappers to fully consider the matter, and an arrangement could be come to, if the request to the company to pay a royalty was refused. The trappers could pay the royalty, and so dispose of their rabbits when and where they liked. He asked for a proposition from the trappers. - Mr. A. Fuller (trapper) said with regard to the issue he thought whichever way it went the trapper would have to pay. He did not deny the landowners' right, but he was not in favor of the trapper paying without some means being devised of the trapper getting it from the freezing works. - Mr. Freeburn (trapper) moved that the trappers pay the royalty to the landowners. - Mr. W. S. Suttor (landowner) said with regard to the payment for rabbits, he had had trappers for some time on his property, and the trappers had offered to pay for the right to trap, but he had not accepted their offer. He was quite in favor of a royalty on rabbits, and there was this in it, under the royalty system if the trapper paid he would secure in a business way his land for the period required, and was absolutely free to dispose of his rabbits, at his own choice. Mr. McLachlan, as a businessman, thought the motion a sensible one, and one that would secure to the trapper his full right in the disposal of his rabbits, for if the trapper assessed his rabbits at a fair price, he could then tell the freezing works what he wanted, and he was certain that if the valuation was on a market value, he would have no trouble in getting it. He felt that the land owner was entitled to his royalty. It was the freezing works that were making the profits, and under the motion the trapper had best of the situation and could enforce his demand. He would like to see through that representative meeting an amicable settlement, for there was no doubt but what the rabbit money had proved a boon to the town, and district, and any dislocation would create a serious position. - Mr. Potts (trapper) said that he was opposed to the motion, especially at a time when every carcase was needed. He was a trapper with considerable experience and a large family to support. He had always given the landowner a fair go, and left his land to the satisfaction of the man whose land he trapped on. With regard to the freezing works, he stated that the company had been doing good work, and should not be burdened with the payment of any royalty. - On the motion being put it was lost, an unanimous "No" being received. The chairman then thanked the trappers for their attendance, and regretted the failure to come to an agreement3
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28 November 1917
THE LATEST METHOD.
It will no doubt surprise many readers to learn that rabbits are brought into Mudgee from the bush, by means of motor lorries, as well as other conveyances. It is a fact that there are times when three or four of these lorries may be seen on their way to the freezing works, all fully loaded with rabbits trapped during the previous night. This up-to-date method provides its own testimony as to the value of the "bunny" industry to Mudgee. Just at the present time trade is not so brisk as it was during the winter; all the same, there is a constant delivery, and it is by no means a failing industry. Big money is earned here, just as it is in other parts of the country, although one does not see the kiddies taking a "couple of pair" on their way to school, as happens elsewhere".4
1926
21 January 1926
Rabbit Furs.
Prices at the closing Sydney rabbit skin sales today were on an average 3d higher; outgoing 46d, pelty 42d, racks to 42d5
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