My great great Grandfather Arthur James Pearce and his sons Arthur Cyril Pearce (known as Cyril) and William Pearce would all go rabbit shooting at the Waimakariri River, Canterbury, New Zealand. Here are some pictures of them from our family collection in their suits and ties. It makes me laugh that men used to dress up to go shooting, but that was the way it was in the 1920s when these photos were taken.
They took their pet ferret with them as well as Laddy the dog, to help flush out rabbits from their holes. Rabbits appeared to be plentiful in the dry Canterbury conditions in the 1920s, judging by the piles of animals they have shot. These would have been a important source of food for the large Pearce family.
We think these rabbit hunting photos are taken somewhere near the Waimakariri River, although I can't see the river itself in the photos.
Arthur Cyril Pearce on the left and Arthur James Pearce his father on the right, with ferret and Laddy the dog.
Arthur James and Arthur Cyril Pearce.
![Arthur James Pearce shooting rabbits](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8292/7770213296_051091e4e9.jpg)
Arthur James Pearce and rifle
Arthur James Pearce and his billy tea. And I spot a bottle of beer behind him. Sneaky!!
![Arthur James Pearce & Laddy](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7265/7770214526_27c57e6c62.jpg)
Arthur James Pearce and Laddy
Arthur James Pearce and William (Willy) Pearce
with the spade for digging out the rabbit holes.
![Arthur & William Pearce rabbit hunting](http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7770215274_cdcf48e6ec.jpg)
Arthur James Pearce and William Pearce. Not sure what they are doing here exactly.
Willy and Arthur James Pearce and Laddy.
Willy and the ferret